Why Have Most Windows 8 Users Not Upgraded to Windows 8.1?

Windows 8.1 is a free upgrade to Windows 8. It’s what the original Windows 8 should have been, with important improvements for both desktop and tablet users. So why are more people using Windows 8 than Windows 8.1?

It’s hard not to see this as a failure for Microsoft. Windows 8.1 is the first “new version” of Windows they’ve given out for free to existing users and most Windows 8 users aren’t biting.

Source

A Guy

 

[garmyan]

i new uese

 

[alphanumeric]

A new OS usually requires newer drivers, that's just life for Windows users. 8.1 is a new OS, its not 8.0 + SP1. All of my Windows 8.0 drivers worked in 8.1. I've updated a few now but it wasn't something I had to do. Mind you, I'm doing clean installs not upgrades though the store. 8.1 is installing a lot of its own drivers right from the start. My old games run fine in 8.1 too so I haven't had a lot of issues. None that I can categorically say are 8.1 related anyway.

 

[JohnBurns]

I wish I still had Windows 8 for the Start Screen tiles - they aren't the childish colors that 8.1 is. And, they can be changed easily to one color. That may not be good enough reason, but it is important to some.

 

[pparks1]

Hassle, worried about things that won't work. We had problems at work that required us to upgrade our Microsoft system center configuration manager to manage these hosts. So, it's not really a no brainer.

If it's not broke, don't break it.

 

[alphanumeric]

One thing that's going to happen is, anybody that had a bad experience doing the store update is going to tell everyone they know, "I had a bad experience doing the store update". Especially if they had a hard time recovering their system back to a workable state. That will make some reluctant to do it. Those that had no problems usually only mention it "when asked". I've only ever done the store update once to 8.1 and had issues right away. My preferred method now is a clean install. I'm lucky in that I have MSDN and can get clean ISO files to use. Many though are not so lucky.

 

[LittleJay]

The only problem I had after doing the 8.1 Pro upgrade was with the driver for my NVidia graphics card. But after the latest driver update that seems to have been taken care of.

 

[alphanumeric]

For me my WIFI and wireless keyboard and track ball played hide and seek. They just kept cutting in and out and in and out. It made it a pain to try and update/reinstall the drivers which didn't fix the problem anyway. I ended up doing a clean install to get back to a working system.

 

[adamf]

Time heals all they say.

I think so you are correct. Seen any posts about "how can I turn off my PC" lately? It was terribly important 3 yeas ago and now everyone has forgotten Give it time and the start button guys will give it up also.

 

[doit686868]

My problem with he 8.1 upgrade was BSOD's when trying to put my laptop to sleep (or just closing the lid) I tried for weeks to get it sorted. I have been to every forum and help site including my manufacturer and nothing solved the problem. The upgrade process itself was smooth, my system worked great afterwards, EXCEPT the sleep/BSOD problem. That was the deal breaker for me...

 

[m4v3r1ck]

The only problem I had after doing the 8.1 Pro upgrade was with the driver for my NVidia graphics card. But after the latest driver update that seems to have been taken care of.

335.32 WHQL?

Could be, but my most-stable-driver-EVER version 310.90 WHQL didn't like the 8.1 upgrade at all. i.e. Falcon BMS 4.32-u6 was not flyable due to MEGA-stutters and very low fps etc. Restored my WinClone copy of 8.0 and I was a happy simmer again.

 

[LittleJay]

The only problem I had after doing the 8.1 Pro upgrade was with the driver for my NVidia graphics card. But after the latest driver update that seems to have been taken care of.

335.32 WHQL?

Could be, but my most-stable-driver-EVER version 310.90 WHQL didn't like the 8.1 upgrade at all. i.e. Falcon BMS 4.32-u6 was not flyable due to MEGA-stutters and very low fps etc. Restored my WinClone copy of 8.0 and I was a happy simmer again.

The version I am running is 332.21. I should have said the next driver update after I installed 8.1. I haven't done any of the latest updates, since things seem to be working well as is.

 

[adamf]

All this is all rather specific though don't you think? For me I upgraded to 8.1 for the same reason as I upgraded to 8. I enjoy it.

I'm afraid Windows 8* is now a bit dull as there don't seem to be any problems left except sleeping.

Roll on 9 with a few new issues

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Time heals all they say.

I think so you are correct. Seen any posts about "how can I turn off my PC" lately? It was terribly important 3 yeas ago and now everyone has forgotten Give it time and the start button guys will give it up also.

Well, great minds think alike.

Great avatar, BTW.

 

[4wd]

Time heals all they say.

I think so you are correct. Seen any posts about "how can I turn off my PC" lately? It was terribly important 3 yeas ago and now everyone has forgotten Give it time and the start button guys will give it up also.

Well, great minds think alike.

Healing comes not from time, but from Classic Shell and similar, giving users back some normal useability. Even MS themselves seems to be realizing this.

 

[TheGrantFitz]

I would opt for Windows 8.1 over Windows 8 because of the start button and desktop boot features. On my tablet, it isn't a problem but for my PC and laptop the desktop is my number one environment.

My first guess would be the that the update is in the Windows Store, and most casual users don't check there often or dismiss any notification they have received.

 

[Coke Robot]

The thing that has annoyed me about 8.1 is with OEM drivers and their lack of updating them. 8.1 has a new WDDM driver version among other things, it would be nice if OEMs could at least take the time to update those drivers so their products run the best they possibly can; ESPECIALLY considering since there is a good chance we'll be seeing yearly X.1 or X.5 updates for Windows...

Also, I do wish in Windows 9, we'll have the option of choosing to use the app's tile color or a predefined system color. It'd be nice to see a consistent color across the Start Screen.

 

[Wynona]

All this is all rather specific though don't you think? For me I upgraded to 8.1 for the same reason as I upgraded to 8. I enjoy it.

I'm afraid Windows 8* is now a bit dull as there don't seem to be any problems left except sleeping.

Roll on 9 with a few new issues

And the NumLock issue! Like sleep problems, some got it, some don't got it.

 

[buzz]

I upgraded via Windows Update.....smooth as silk! No problems of any kind although my PC is a custom made desktop without all the crap the new ones have.....build your own its easy! :tip:

 

[adamf]

Great avatar, BTW.

You know who it is? I struggled with the pixels but I think it was before the Stones security took it all downhill.

1, 2, 3, 4 what are we fighting for....

 

[antspants]

You know who it is? I struggled with the pixels but I think it was before the Stones security took it all downhill.

1, 2, 3, 4 what are we fighting for....

lmao

Hey they're coming to Australia in a few months, all my friends bought tickets. I didn't, I have to stick a knitting needle in my eye that day, whenever it is.
I hear Mick got a huge discount on safety railing for the stairs and the disability toilets. There may be a problem with the stage though, no wheelchair access

And the avatar .. is it Carlos Santana?