Thoughts About Windows 8.1

[Quintin.B]

Hello Everyone,

 

I'm Thinking about installing Windows 8.1, but  first i wanted to see some thoughts about it and hear your opinion about it

 

Quintin B

[fracking4oil]

I really like it, especially the bigger & smaller icons on the start screen and the right click (or winkey + X) restart/shutdown. I have had a few minor incompatibility issues that weren't in Windows 8.0, like Comodo firewall not running without a registry tweak. 

[ionbasa]

Personally I like it. I like the fact that they added the start button back.  I treat the start screen as a updated start menu, it provides the same functionality as the old start menu in my opinion. 

[GoodBytes]

Windows 8.1 is awesome.

However, you must remember that it has bugs BECAUSE it is in Beta stages.

Here are the bugs I have faced:

-> Programs using Skype to embedded Skype in itself doesn't work, because the executable from Skype that allows it to happen crashes upon starting.

-> Firefox Start Screen Tile text is now showing, and tile color selection is wrong

-> Some tiles picks the color baby blue for pinned desktop applications, which is fine, but the text of the tile is still white. So if you don't have a descent monitor, it will be quiet hard to read.

-> I experienced some graphical glitches in some situation in the Windows UI. Nothing major, but visible if you have a good eye.

-> Skydrive desktop app doesn't work anymore, as Skydrive is integrated into Windows, but lacks a lot of information and options that you used to have with the desktop app. Also it's finicky. It works when it wants to works.

-> If the mouse is positioned on a website preview in the new universal search, the scroll wheel doesn't work anymore.

And of course, some mentioned features don't exists.

So you can see, it is what it says: Beta.

And keep in mind that you'll have to do a clean install once the official version is released, let alone Release Candidate or further Beta version comes out.

In my case, I expected issues, as I always do when I try Beta software.

For me, I install beta version of Windows for testing my personal software and work software, and do any fixes that may be required (usually it works perfectly, and if it doesn't, it's just someone or me that miss read some Microsoft documentation to assure proper support with future version of Windows).

[ionbasa]

One more thing to add is that some drivers may not I work!

 

I had to update my Qualcomn Atheros WiFi and Bluetooth drivers with Windows 8.1

 

Also if your copy of Windows 8 is Volume Licensed or Enterprise you have to install the preview through a .iso and not through a store.

[Quintin.B]

I've Installed it looks great. The programs i use can run just fine on it. Games etc. Run better on it than on the first windows 8 ( I Don't know how but sometimes on 8 they wont launch or even install.... but on 8.1 they install/launch just fine.) The tiles i don't us that much so no problems with that. in one word it is better than windows 8.

[ChairMao]

I installed it having watched one of NCIXEsther videos - realised it was free. Installed it and not looked back. It is fantastic, I have not been this impressed with an OS I think ever in my life. IT WORK is is so fluid and intuitive. Far Cry 3 crashed once whilst i tabbed out to the desktop but other than that it has been a dream 

[Giddyguy]

I have a question about upgrading. I have a Surface Pro and so if I update to 8.1 beta will i have to do a clean install when the full version comes out? If I do, where will i find my product key and installation file/iso/disk?

[brownninja97]

I installed it having watched one of NCIXEsther videos - realised it was free. Installed it and not looked back. It is fantastic, I have not been this impressed with an OS I think ever in my life. IT WORK is is so fluid and intuitive. Far Cry 3 crashed once whilst i tabbed out to the desktop but other than that it has been a dream 

I have win7 home premium service 1. Far cry either crashed, closes down or freezes when i click back on it for around 5 minutes before task manager kicks in.

[GoodBytes]

Giddyguy, on 18 Jul 2013 - 7:24 PM, said:

I have a question about upgrading. I have a Surface Pro and so if I update to 8.1 beta will i have to do a clean install when the full version comes out? If I do, where will i find my product key and installation file/iso/disk?

When the full version of Windows 8.1 will be out, you'll be able to upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, much like a Windows Service Pack. The only difference is that you'll see it in the Windows Store, and not Windows Update. It will be free for Windows 8 users.