News - Next Windows officially named Windows 8.1 - free for Win8 users

Quote:

---

Windows RT will also get updated but we were not informed about what it will be called.

---

Read more.

So, will Windows 8 even get a service pack?

Apple style updates incoming?

I don't know why they even used the term "service pack" in the first place. It's a lot easier to say Windows 8.1 instead of 'Windows 8 with service pack 1'.

I think 8.1 can be assumed as a service pack, it's certainly a simpler naming approach.

I'm actually quite happy with Windows 8, there's a few niggles, there were bound to be, but overall it's won out over Windows 7 for me, especially on low-end systems like my dual-core 1.4GHz acer timeline, it has breathed new life into the device, it's booting and responding like a modern Ultrabook, something which Windows 7 never could make it do, even with a fresh install. It's just such an efficient OS.

Well I'll probably use it. I like "8". I'm impressed by the startup and shutdown speeds. Performance is very good and after a few initial niggles I'm used to the new "Metro" layout.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shaithis

So, will Windows 8 even get a service pack?

Apple style updates incoming?

---

This is similar to a service pack, but more a feature pack, as it brings new usability features to the OS.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scribe

I think 8.1 can be assumed as a service pack, it's certainly a simpler naming approach.

I'm actually quite happy with Windows 8, there's a few niggles, there were bound to be, but overall it's won out over Windows 7 for me, especially on low-end systems like my dual-core 1.4GHz acer timeline, it has breathed new life into the device, it's booting and responding like a modern Ultrabook, something which Windows 7 never could make it do, even with a fresh install. It's just such an efficient OS.

---

Reason why it's more than a service pack is because Blue/8.1 increments the NT Kernel from 6.2 to 6.3 which isn't usually done with service packs.

It's a massive amount of features to be released and this update and other yearly updates have always been on the table long before Windows 8s launch. Just clarifying the last point up as no doubt many uninformed believe Windows 8 is awful (from a stability and developer standpoint, it can be awful from a usability point but that depends if the individual is accustomed to the new UI and understands the shortcuts) and believe MS forced the 8.1 update (well they did take feedback but 8.1 was always to be a released a year later).

'even more tile sizes'

Than two, sometimes?

Boot to desktop yes, return of start button no (I'd rather not have the clutter of a button I don't use on my task bar).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jnutt

Well I'll probably use it. I like "8". I'm impressed by the startup and shutdown speeds. Performance is very good and after a few initial niggles I'm used to the new "Metro" layout.

---

I like it too - it works just like a faster/slicker version of win7 once you spend some time tweaking (or buy software to do the same) - in my case to make it boot direct to desktop, restore the start menu (MUI is still accessible but not the default) and make the apps run within a window if in desktop mode.
The fact is Win8 is a good piece of software. However, it is also a fact that all those things should have been options from the off, and should not have needed third party programs or 'off-label' tweaking to enable.
As well as all the webnoise feedback in general, look at how much money third party developers such as Stardock have made from dealing with these problems that MS should have dealt with in the first place. Okay - so they wanted a 'unified' mobile/tablet/laptop/desktop experience, but shoehorning their desktop customers into using a system optimized for the other platforms was not the way to go about this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shaithis

So, will Windows 8 even get a service pack?

---

As already mentioned, they moved away from the SP nomculture because this actually adds features, rather than being a collection of bug fixes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shaithis

Apple style updates incoming?

---

I chuffing hope not! One of the reasons I would never use OSX for business is because of how they handle their licensing and security updates. What's that sir, a 3 year old computer, hahahahahah no security updates for you without another license fee!

will this be any better than windows 3.1?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Unique

will this be any better than windows 3.1?

---

Or 3.11

I will wait till it comes out and I can have a full review of all the "upgrades".

W8 for me works well on tablets, is totally useless in a business desktop environment and OKish for an HTPC. The basic philosophy MS adopted for W8 is the problem: one size does not fit all, not all (or even most) devices work best with "touch" and, especially for security reasons, not everyone wants to have all data/media stored in the cloud

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tpyo

I like it too - it works just like a faster/slicker version of win7 once you spend some time tweaking (or buy software to do the same) - in my case to make it boot direct to desktop, restore the start menu (MUI is still accessible but not the default) and make the apps run within a window if in desktop mode.
The fact is Win8 is a good piece of software. However, it is also a fact that all those things should have been options from the off, and should not have needed third party programs or 'off-label' tweaking to enable.
As well as all the webnoise feedback in general, look at how much money third party developers such as Stardock have made from dealing with these problems that MS should have dealt with in the first place. Okay - so they wanted a 'unified' mobile/tablet/laptop/desktop experience, but shoehorning their desktop customers into using a system optimized for the other platforms was not the way to go about this.

---

Quite. That's a very concuse and coherent way of saying exactly what I've tried to say in the various 'love or hate eight' threads we've had.

Especially ....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tpyo

....

Okay - so they wanted a 'unified' mobile/tablet/laptop/desktop experience, but shoehorning their desktop customers into using a system optimized for the other platforms was not the way to go about this.

---

I understand why they want a unified platform. What I don't understand is the mindnumbingly stupid assessment of the psychology of trying to force people onto it, whether they want it or not.

I want certain things of my PC's, and since the very early days of Windows, and indeed since early pre-Win versions of DOS, I've upgraded periodically if and when the benefits of doing so justify the cost and the hassle involved.

What does MUI offer me that I want or need? Little or nothing, tending towards the latter. But the hassle of getting used to an entirely new UI? It's all downside and hassle, and zero upside.

I have Win 8, bought and paid for, because I'm content the OS itself is better, and because I can get round and ignore MUI, using either Start8 or similar freebie tools. Had I not been able to do that, and just use it without bypassing all the stuff they tried to force on us, I would not have upgraded. Or not to a new version of Windows anyway.

What they also managed to achieve was to instill a lot of ill-will towards MUI. Had it been an option, even a default but one you could disable, there would have been little or no backlash. But by trying to jam it down our throats, no matter how bad a case of indigestion swallowing it would cause, they generated a LOT of ill-will.

Put it this way. MUI would now, for me, be a major reason to buy a tablet or phone that was not an MS product, simply to avoid it. That's how angry I am about having it forced on me.

Adobe have managed to force me to stick with Photoshop CS6 or find an alternative product (like GIMP) by going subscription-only, and MS are very close to forcing me away from Windows as my primary platform. I never thought I'd switch from Photoshop, and I never thought I'd switch from Windows because of Photoshop.

Realistically, I doubt my photographic needs will ever require anything CS6 and Win7 (or a Start8'd Win8) can't handle, so betweem them, they've saved me exposure to considerable upgrade fees by forcing me to look elsewhere, like Linus/GIMP. So, I suppose I should be thanking you, Adobe/MS, for saving me the money. Between you, the next year or two of savings probably just paid for a camera upgrade. ;) :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jnutt

Well I'll probably use it. I like "8". I'm impressed by the startup and shutdown speeds. Performance is very good and after a few initial niggles I'm used to the new "Metro" layout.

---

I agree, however I use sleep 99% of the time on my PC so how or where Win 8 "boots" is never an issue, although when it does boot from a restart for example it is very fast (ok SSD helps) but boots into 12 month install of Win8 in <6 seconds!

Plus, I've been using Start8 $5 utility since I installed Win8 so booting to desktop and the Start button were never really an issue!
I think these two "quicks" are just easy bitching points for people that just like to complain about anything new!

Fantastic work by Microsoft, I don't see how anyone can complain.
I like Windows 8 too. Desktop is there if needed, and that's where I am most of the time.
I've come to like the front end metro screen. Its just the confusion of making a mouse and keyboard work with a touch screen scenario that's the problem. But they will address that's.

Everyone's a winner.
Love Windows 8 for the most part and Windows phones are brilliant.