Microsoft goes public with Windows 8.1 upgrade policies

I'm pretty confused as to why if you decide to try out these preview builds that you simply are unable to upgrade them with the final code down the road and have your apps preserved. It seems strange that you would have to reinstall all of your apps upon full release if you try the preview...while those who forgo the trial will be able to go to the full release without having to reinstall.
 

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I'm pretty confused as to why if you decide to try out these preview builds that you simply are unable to upgrade them with the final code down the road and have your apps preserved. It seems strange that you would have to reinstall all of your apps upon full release if you try the preview...while those who forgo the trial will be able to go to the full release without having to reinstall.

I found that strange also but with looking at how many Windows 7 to Windows 8 installs go and have to do a clean install anyway maybe not.
 

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I'm pretty confused as to why if you decide to try out these preview builds that you simply are unable to upgrade them with the final code down the road and have your apps preserved. It seems strange that you would have to reinstall all of your apps upon full release if you try the preview...while those who forgo the trial will be able to go to the full release without having to reinstall.

:ditto: :what:
 

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It is similar to when updating from Windows 8 Preview to RTM, you had to do a clean install. I assume MS did not want to have to write a special upgrade from the test version when a single upgrade from Windows 8 would handle the vast majority of customers. I plan to update to 8.1 preview and then when 8.1 is released It will be time for a clean install of Windows 8. My big question - will 8.1 update have all the fixes and updates that have been released for Windows 8. If it is, then a clean install of Windows 8, then update to 8.1 and then whatever new fixes and updates. Similar to how Windows 7 SP1 is handled if you don't have the integrated disk. I will probably go to a SSD at that time and start fresh.

Jim :cool:
 

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I just fail to see this as an operating system, I see it more like a service pack. That's why I don't understand the need for software reinstalls. Oh well, I will play with it on a test system only, would never put a release like this on my real box. Will just wait for the full thing to come out.
 

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I cannot open the store on my computer, actually I have not bothered to fix it as there is NO apps that I want to use.
This means that I have to get it working (and put up with all the crap that comes with it) before I can Upgrade.
Not Happy at all.
 

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I cannot open the store on my computer, actually I have not bothered to fix it as there is NO apps that I want to use.
This means that I have to get it working (and put up with all the crap that comes with it) before I can Upgrade.
Not Happy at all.
Could you please tell us what crap you have to put up with once your store is usable?
 

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    windows 8
I just fail to see this as an operating system, I see it more like a service pack. That's why I don't understand the need for software reinstalls. Oh well, I will play with it on a test system only, would never put a release like this on my real box. Will just wait for the full thing to come out.

That was debated in another thread. Service pack? Upgrade? I do believe the kernel number will change from 6.1 to 6.2 so in essence its an OS upgrade and more than just a service pack. What's being updated and or changed makes it look like the equivalent of only a service pack. At least that's the way I see it.
 

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Yeah, it's all semantics. I'm not going to get all worked up over the differences. it's subtle at best, certainly not a new OS in my opinion. But then again, it's just like 2008 and server 2008R2. They are different things, each with their own unique problems.
 

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Yeah, it's all semantics. I'm not going to get all worked up over the differences. it's subtle at best, certainly not a new OS in my opinion. But then again, it's just like 2008 and server 2008R2. They are different things, each with their own unique problems.

Exactly, I agree. I only mentioned it because the kernel going from 6.1 to 6.2 may be why you would have to reinstall.
 

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here's some info for clarification (only a snippet, see article for full text):

Microsoft shows off Windows 8.1 Start button, other upgrades in video | Ars Technica

However, if you skip the preview, you'll be able to install the 8.1 update as a straightforward upgrade. This won't require reinstallation of any applications.

Installing the update will take about 4GB of disk space, but the installed size should be a little smaller than that of Windows 8 due to smarter use of compression and removal of temporary files.
 

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  • OS
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I just fail to see this as an operating system, I see it more like a service pack. That's why I don't understand the need for software reinstalls. Oh well, I will play with it on a test system only, would never put a release like this on my real box. Will just wait for the full thing to come out.

I think it's more of a new OS if you have to do a reinstall... :huh:

No service pack I know of needed Windows to be reinstalled, that is maybe if you did beta testing on it before RTM releasing.

I'm probably going to put Windows 8.1 on a separate partition on my drive like I did with 7 and 8. It gives me a better grasp of how it'll react with my system, how it's going to be used, how performance is like purely with my hardware, etc. From what I've read, 8.1 will be taking less hard drive space, and possibly faster with the NT 6.3 kernel.
 

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I'm pretty confused as to why if you decide to try out these preview builds that you simply are unable to upgrade them with the final code down the road and have your apps preserved. It seems strange that you would have to reinstall all of your apps upon full release if you try the preview...while those who forgo the trial will be able to go to the full release without having to reinstall.

If my Windows 8 systems continue working as smoothly as they have done until now, I mean if I see no need for full reinstall, my personal upgrade policy will be really simple: Just before installing the 8.1. preview, which I will do as soon as possible, I will image my existing systems.

Then when the final version comes out, I will restore my image allowing me to upgrade my original Windows 8, not 8.1 preview to final 8.1. This way I will be able to upgrade without need to reinstall all my desktop apps but only those I have installed during the time I used the preview.

Kari
 
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Hi there.
For me I'd certainly like to see if the Install Applications has been fixed properly -- currently if you install a classical Windows application like say the adobe full CS6 suite or Visual Studio then every .EXE file creates a tile which makes a real dogs dinner of a mess requiring a lot of "Post Install" work.

Boot to desktop is nice (not absolutely mandatory in my case though).

Customisation of tiles and start screen would be really nice -- I think 8.1 goes some way to allow this.

Running Metro apps CONCURRENTLY with Desktop (Classical Windows apps) is a great feature - especially on multi-monitors -- nice for example to be able to look at dynamically changing Market Data while concurrently doing a Spread sheet or Power point demo etc.

Start button -- not an issue for me.

Bigest bugbear is the current hoops you have to do in tidying up the tiles after large application installs -- if that's been reasonably fixed then IMO it's worth updating for that feature alone.

If also Metro can run concurrently with Desktop apps in re-sizeable screens then again a worthwhile upgrade.

For users who don't have too many apps to install the upgrade might not be worth while performing - but IMO Ms seems to have put a fair bit of work into 8.1 in addressing issues and in any case the security mechanisms will have been improved (not that they were bad anyway) and IE11 from my "tinkerings" with it on leaked builds looks quite a worthwhile upgrade in its own right.

If Ms make previews available on TechNet before general availability I shall try it in a VM first and post results as soon as I can get my fingers on it.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Did anybody notice that at the end of the video the bald dude says..."Available June 26"?
 

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Ok, catch me up here. When you guys talk about 'apps', in this thread at least, you refer only to 'metro apps', is that right...??

And as I have only normal, desktop apps, I should otta be ok...yes..??
 

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LOL. Amusingly ironic comments

Jensen and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
.

Are users forced to put up with Bing? What happens with local search ?
 

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Ok, catch me up here. When you guys talk about 'apps', in this thread at least, you refer only to 'metro apps', is that right...??

And as I have only normal, desktop apps, I should otta be ok...yes..??

Yes, I am afraid the word application has been hijacked. Maybe the metro applications should officially be called called crapps for clarity.
 

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Did anybody notice that at the end of the video the bald dude says..."Available June 26"?

the preview version not full version
 

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