Mark your calendars folks, Microsoft confirms that Windows 8.1, the first major update to the operating system, will roll out for free worldwide on October 18. However, the update will be available to all Windows 8 users via the Windows Store starting at 7 a.m. Eastern on October 17. The update will also be available on new devices the same day, but that depends on the market. Either way, you can buy a new Windows 8 PC, come home, and download the update at no additional cost.
| Channel | Publish Date | Thumbnail & View Count | Actions |
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 Pureinfotech | 2021-12-07 16:32:51 |  47,306 Views |
Windows 11: Free upgrade from Windows 8.1 (Official)
For those unfamiliar, Windows 8.1 is the first update (not an upgrade, even though it looks like one) to Windows 8 and Windows RT, bringing hundreds of new changes such as: the return of the "Start" button, boot-to-desktop option, a streamlined Start screen with new tile sizes and additional features, completely redesigned PC Settings, search now powered by Bing, full SkyDrive integration, Internet Explorer 11, update apps (Calendar, Mail, Contacts, etc.), new apps like "Health & Fitness", "Food & Drink", "Reading List", "Alarm Clock" and many more.
SEE ALSO: Windows 8.1 Preview: Highlighting Everything You Need to Know
The announcement by Brandon LeBlanc, senior marketing communications manager of the Marketing Group at Microsoft, on Blogging Windows follows a rumor from Neowin.net that Microsoft may use August 23 as the last day to test Windows 8.1 before it goes RTM (Release To Manufacturing) or "gold." Additionally, October 18 coincides with the date that Zdnet's Mary Jo Foley said the update would be available in mid-October.
