The company is providing retailers with an easy-to-use upgrade system

Nov 2, 2013 00:36 GMT  ·  By
Microsoft wants more PCs running Windows 8.1 to hit the market during the holiday season
   Microsoft wants more PCs running Windows 8.1 to hit the market during the holiday season

Windows 8.1 is alive and kicking, but it turns out that not all company partners have been prepared for the launch of a new Windows version.

Only 20 percent of the PCs scheduled to go on sale during this holiday season will come with a preinstalled copy of Windows 8.1, but Microsoft has got you covered.

Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrott writes that Redmond has created what is being called a Windows 8.1 Upgrade Kit, delivered on a USB flash drive to retailers selling Windows PCs. Thus, they can easily upgrade the operating system and deploy Windows 8.1 on every sold new PC.

Best Buy, Dixons, and other retailers across the United States have reportedly received such upgrade kits, so expect an avalanche of products running the new Windows 8.1 to hit the market anytime soon.