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Windows 8.1 available as free update later this year

Microsoft's upcoming major update for the Windows 8 operating system has officially been dubbed 'Windows 8.1', and will be available for free later this year.

The package of updates will address concerns some Windows 8 users have had with the latest home Desktop OS from Microsoft. Some rumored changes included restoring the Start Menu which was dropped in Windows 8 Desktop Mode, and the ability to boot directly to the Desktop interface rather than the tiled Start Screen.



Speaking at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston, Tami Reller - Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Windows - said that Windows 8 users will be able to get the Windows 8.1 update later this year as a free download from the Windows Store.

A public preview of the update will be made available on June 26 for those interested, timed with the Build developer conference in San Francisco.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 14 May 2013 15:28

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• 4 comments

• DarkJello

  Finally. I miss the start button. Moving to the corner on a dual monitor set up and waiting for the menu to pop up is agonizing.
  

  14.5.2013 21:46 #1

• xnonsuchx

  Why wouldn't it be free? It's a fix for an intentional bug Microsoft created. Are they supposed to be lauded for not charging for it like they're so generous or something?

  15.5.2013 06:55 #2

• dali

  DarkJello, install Classic Shell, as most Windows 8 users do. Or don't, if you rather wait for this update.
  

  "You know, it seems that quotes on the internet are becoming less and less reliable." -Abraham Lincoln.

  15.5.2013 08:22 #3

• SomeBozo

  Originally posted by dali: DarkJello, install Classic Shell, as most Windows 8 users do. Or don't, if you rather wait for this update. This is easier said then done. I have to work in an environment where i need to remote desktop into machine, they can be reset daily. Also remoteing into a win8 machine and trying to do the gestures is full of utter fail. Get the classic win 7 shell back in.
  
  

  22.5.2013 03:02 #4