Users of the new 8.1 update are still confused by some of the built-in features

Jun 29, 2013 10:41 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has released Windows 8.1 to make the operating system a more familiar working environment and to tackle some of issues reported by users in Windows 8.

It turns out that some consumers are still experiencing difficulties in figuring out the purpose of each option, while some are asking the same old questions that made Windows 8 such a controversial product.

At this point, the official Windows 8.1 Preview forum thread is full of bug reports, and that's quite alright given the fact that the update is still in beta testing.

On the other hand, there are a few questions that could make you raise an eyebrow, especially because Microsoft has promoted Windows 8. and 8.1 so much that you would expect everybody to know its purpose already.

Here are a few examples of messages posted on Microsoft Answers in the last couple of days:

“I just want to ask the question that Windows 8.1 is new OS or update of Windows 8? If it's new OS than how much cost it'll be? OR if it's an update than when can i get full update of Windows 8.1.?”

“How do I see all my apps? Used to just pull up from the bottom but now that is just a customize option. I don't pin everything to my start panel.”

“Please will some one help me figure out how to get my computer to let me play Solitare. I can not figure out why it will not let me. Thank you.”

“How can I make Windows 8.1 Preview both straight to desktop? I had a Third Party start menu application that does that for me, but I removed it, since Windows 8.1 now has a start button.”

“Windows 8 Weather live tile has wrong location. How do I change it?”

Many of these questions obviously have simple answers and it doesn't take more than a few seconds to deal with them.

The problem is that consumers apparently still need additional training to make the most of Windows 8.1, so Microsoft is really close to facing the same difficult challenge it had to cope with after the October 2012 release.