Windows 8.1

Number29

harrys_dad wrote: »

Why is it that every other edition of Windows is awful and not as good as the one before? XP good, Vista rubbish, 7 good, 8 rubbish, and don't get me started on Millenium Edition. (post written on my trusty netbook running XP)

You've got a bit of a rose tinted view here. XP was absolutely terrible when it first came out and it was only after Service Pack 2 that it really came together. Windows Vista had the same issue because it was a radical departure from XP but even Vista was absolutely fine after a few months. Windows 7 had the benefit of not being anything drastically new so there was less to go wrong/be problematic when it first came out. Likewise, Windows 8 is a radical departure. By Windows 9 I suspect people will be used to it and won't complain quite so much.

A lot of people just really hate change and find it very difficult to cope with change. But there's one thing certain about technology and that is it will constantly be changing.

superscaper

For one thing 8.1 has a smaller footprint than 8, that alone makes it a pretty low level upgrade process and not like your typical service pack. It's also worth it alone for upgrading although personally I was happy not having the start button. The native boot to desktop feature is welcomed though and another big plus for 8.1.

50Twuncle

Shame there appears to be no way of backing up an upgraded 8.1 build - only the original 8 - which means that, should a rebuild prove necessary - you have to go through the palaver of upgrading all over again ...
I agree that 8.1 is considerably more palatable than 8

Vampgirl

I've been wondering whether to upgrade...my laptop keeps asking me if I want to and I keep saying not right now. But, based on the above posts, I'm wondering if actually 8.1 might be worth it after all?

I couldn't get along with Win 8 so I currently have classic shell installed to make it boot to the desktop and pretty much work like Win 7. From what I'm reading above, it sounds like if I upgrade to 8.1 I will no longer need classic shell because Windows will allow me to set it up the way I want it.

So, before I take the plunge....have I got this right? Is it a good idea to upgrade to 8.1? Thanks for any advice.

Number29

It's always a good idea to upgrade Windows. There's no reason not to!

danthemoneysavingman

Vampgirl wrote: »

So, before I take the plunge....have I got this right? Is it a good idea to upgrade to 8.1? Thanks for any advice.

Yep go for it I reckon...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2043243/how-to-boot-to-desktop-mode-in-windows-8-1.html

NiftyDigits

50Twuncle wrote: »

Shame there appears to be no way of backing up an upgraded 8.1 build - only the original 8 - which means that, should a rebuild prove necessary - you have to go through the palaver of upgrading all over again ...
I agree that 8.1 is considerably more palatable than 8

Clean install is also possible....but we've been here before, haven't we?

Jivesinger

Vampgirl wrote: »

Is it a good idea to upgrade to 8.1? Thanks for any advice.

One thing to consider is that Windows 8.0 goes out of support in just under 2 years.

In the same way that Windows 7 without any Service Packs isn't supported any more but Windows 7 with the latest Service Pack is, you're expected to upgrade from 8.0 to 8.1 in the same way as you're expected to apply Service Packs to Windows 7.

Rumour has it that there's another series of tweaks to 8.1 in the pipeline around April, but hopefully not such a major download.

silverwhistle

So what do you recommend if you're still a Vista user?...

My laptop is showing signs of age so thought I'd get a new desktop PC (mobile consumption stuff I can use phone/tablet.). [ I did try and tidy up the laptop but trying to backup to external hard disk made it worse.]

Novatech are just down the road, so I may well go there, and they offer various options for the OS. Given I won't be using a touch-screen at my desk and am used to Vista, what do you suggest? I presume there's no problem using Open Office with any of them?

Jivesinger

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Clean install is also possible....but we've been here before, haven't we?

Do you know a way to do a clean install of 8.1 on a PC that came with Windows 8?

I know there is a trick that can be used with a Windows 8 'Upgrade' Product Key to fool Microsoft's systems into give you an ISO for 8.1, but I've not seen one that works with the Product Keys from a PC which came with Windows 8 pre-installed?