News - First screenshots featuring the Windows 8.1 Start Button emerge

[Jonj1611]

Yes, I don't mind the smaller updates, I was just wondering about the emphasis on 'free' they have used several times, makes me wonder if the smaller updates will be charged as such somewhere along the way

[Agent]

Yes, I don't mind the smaller updates, I was just wondering about the emphasis on 'free' they have used several times, makes me wonder if the smaller updates will be charged as such somewhere along the way

IIRC the idea is to make the security patches and such work on all, but you buy any additional features.

That's not really different to what we have now though. XP, Vista and 7 didn't really add many new features with their service packs. XP had some useful security stuff added, but that was about it.

If they want to charge for optional and non-security features, I don't really mind.

[samuraiweasel]

Now thats a bit better....not as good as keeping the W7 start bar but getting closer to usable.

[d3m0n1q_733rz]

Has anyone tested the congestion control options as of yet to see if they're working this time around? And have they included the ReFS filesystem in this version? I would also like to know if they've made it any easier to exit Windows 8.1 programs or if they still clutter your memory and processor? And that whole bar along the right side that likes to get in the way of the exit button or pops out when I use the notebook's touch pad trying to move the arrow to the left; is it still required to be in the same spot?
Basically, I'll just ask if Windows 8.1 is still one big annoyance. So, is it?