Microsoft finally announces Windows 8.1 with Bing. The long-rumored version of the operating system is a new SKU and is aimed at PC makers for installation on low-cost devices. To be clear, this is not a new version of Windows. The user experience remains the same as what Windows 8.1 users are used to. The new version of the software does not come with any restrictions or limitations, it just offers a cheaper license fee that Microsoft is not revealing, and it will not be free as many had hoped.
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 Pureinfotech | 2021-12-07 16:32:51 |  47,306 Views |
Windows 11: Free upgrade from Windows 8.1 (Official)
The only catch is for OEMs who have to install Windows 8.1 with Bing on low-cost devices and set Bing as the default search engine in Internet Explorer. However, it is unclear whether PC manufacturers can also install another web browser, such as Chrome, and set Google as the default search engine for that particular web browser. In any case, users can change the default search engine as they wish after purchasing the device.
Bing isn't the only service. Microsoft will also pre-install Office on some devices as part of the new Windows 8.1 with Bing SKU. And in some cases, the devices will include a one-year subscription to Office 365.
Microsoft will only make this new version of the software available to PC manufacturers, meaning customers won't be able to buy a copy of Windows 8.1 with Bing. The software will only be pre-installed on certain devices under 9 inches – mostly tablets – and from certain hardware partners.
