14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8.1 is just around the corner and even though Microsoft won’t be forcing users to update, the company has already started talking big about the new OS version.
Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc has publicly admitted in a blog post that Windows 8.1 is indeed a must-have update for Windows 8 adopters and even though he doesn’t say it very clear, it’s pretty obvious that the tech giant is aware of the mistakes it made with the core OS.
“Windows 8.1 will be a must-have update for those devices – bringing new features and improvements such as greater personalization, Bing Smart Search, and more than 20 new and improved Microsoft apps and services,” Brandon LeBlanc wrote. “We are excited to be delivering such an important update to customers in just one month and nearly a year after launching Windows 8.”
In fact, Microsoft claims that Windows 8.1 is “just another proof” that the company is listening to consumer feedback, hence the return of the Start button and the introduction of an option to boot directly to desktop and skip the Start screen.
At the same time, the Softies are trying to make 8.1 available to as many people as possible, with the update to be offered free of charge to Windows 8 users.
Other consumers who wish to deploy the operating system will have to pay to $119.99 (€90) for the standard version and $199.99 (€150) for the Pro package. Of course, Microsoft will be offering Windows 8.1 as both the standard DVD retail package and as a download from the official website.
Either way, Windows 8.1 is set to make its public debut on October 18, while Windows 8 users will be allowed to download it from the Store one day earlier. Windows 8.1 won’t be a mandatory update, so in case you like Windows 8 the way it is, there’s no need to install it.