Windows 8.1 AKA Blue Will Be Available For FREE!

[LiLmEgZ]

Microsoft's Tami Reller is in Boston today speaking at the JP Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom Conference and she has announced that there are now more than 70,000 apps in the Windows Store.

In addition, Windows Blue is officially named Windows 8.1 and it will be a free update and come from the Windows Store in addition the 8.1 update will be coming to Windows RT as well. This should appease many who thought that the update may be a paid upgrade but all of those rumors can be put to bed as the update will be free.

Reller also stated that the update will arrive by the end of the calendar year. If Windows 8.1 follows the same schedule as Windows 8, the platform will likely hit RTM in the August timeframe and will be released to the general public around late October.

In addition to final releases, Microsoft also stated that the public preview of the build will be released the first day of its BUILD conference on June 26th.

News Sources:

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-windows-blue-to-be-named-windows-81-will-be-free

[Zex]

First of all, it would be so stupid if it wouldn't be a free upgrade..!

Its just like SP1 for Win7, and it would also fix lot of bugs made by M$ in Win8 :angry:

And another thing, free or not, wouldn't make difference to us anyway. :lol:

[DKT27]

I still think Microsoft was strongly considering to make it a paid update.

Either way, it isn't convincing me to use it (even though I will). Firstly, our beloved StartIsBack might stop working, second, the Start Button is nothing but a gimmick to fool users, Microsoft really needs to understand that Start Menu should never be full screen and square tiles and gay colors are fugly.

Also, really wish to see the ISO. Have no intentions to download it from the Windows Store crap.

[LiLmEgZ]

Also, really wish to see the ISO. Have no intentions to download it from the Windows Store crap.

I think I would have to agree strongly here with that statement!

[RobrPatty]

Agreed forget the MS store. I'll grab it from technet or MSDN. :P

[pweeseonichan]

windows is like porn. people who have an internet connection dont buy it.

[Phyton]

windows is like porn. people who have an internet connection dont buy it.

I agree with you ;)

[oldtrees2020]

StartIsBack will not work; tested on last 8.1. An still no safe-mode boot from start up. an TrueTransparency is lost also.

[mjall]

I love it guys! sorry but have to disagree with all the above - first of all this is unexpected from MS to advise windows 8.1 as a free update; it was expected to be a new fresh release! besides all this; this only proofs all my earlier posts that no matter what MS does, everyone will still criticize because I know this has nothing to do with the start button and all what is mentioned in your comments! if you hate something you will hate it and it goes all the way back to take it or leave it nothing else!

[dcs18]

windows is like porn. people who have an internet connection dont buy it.

I agree with you ;)

If Windows is porn, then I'm the Patron - now, who is gonna be my pet whore for the night. :rolleyes:

[MidnightDistortions]

I still think Microsoft was strongly considering to make it a paid update.

Either way, it isn't convincing me to use it (even though I will). Firstly, our beloved StartIsBack might stop working, second, the Start Button is nothing but a gimmick to fool users, Microsoft really needs to understand that Start Menu should never be full screen and square tiles and gay colors are fugly.

Also, really wish to see the ISO. Have no intentions to download it from the Windows Store crap.

For a while it seemed like MS wanted Win 8 uses to pay for the update.

The solid colors are fugly.. not that they really are but going from a nice glossy look back to standard Windows colors (similar to XP's colors but worse) is just silly.. maybe it's a preference but since XP i never had to tweak the colors or the UI much. It was fun with Win 98 changing the colors and tweaking the UI around but it also took too long to get it the way i wanted it to.

Really 8.1 should just be in Windows Update like it always was with the previous Windows. Now in order to get the update you have to reinstall Windows? :wtf:

[demoneye]

windows is like porn. people who have an internet connection dont buy it.

I agree with you ;)

If Windows is porn, then I'm the Patron - now, who is gonna be my pet whore for the night. :rolleyes:

that was strong :D :D :D

for us it will be FREE anyway this way or another ;)

[DKT27]

I love it guys! sorry but have to disagree with all the above - first of all this is unexpected from MS to advise windows 8.1 as a free update; it was expected to be a new fresh release! besides all this; this only proofs all my earlier posts that no matter what MS does, everyone will still criticize because I know this has nothing to do with the start button and all what is mentioned in your comments! if you hate something you will hate it and it goes all the way back to take it or leave it nothing else!

Microsoft before Windows 8: Everyone is saying good things about it.

Microsoft after Windows 8: Due to bad strategies, people are not happy with the company's actions and are criticizing it. People have no right to criticize a company, which, until Windows 8 came along, was considered their own favourite company?

Now, if people are here just to bash Microsoft, then why everyone had great words for it before Windows 8 development started? In a community (here, at nsane.forums) where there are hardly any Apple fanboys, Microsoft bashing happens not for fun, but for a reason.

Also, I say it again and again, don't insult the most recognizable thing about Windows, right from Windows 95 to Windows 7, as just Start "Button", it's the Start "Menu" that holds the main value, not some modifiable glossy button.

[demoneye]

after installing w8 here for 2 days (this time on my real system and fully configure it) , i cant say any bad word on it and neither good word , its act same as my w7 i run for about 3 years ... so i think according to the scene this my consider as a GOOD word :D

[LiLmEgZ]

LOL Demoneye... my laptop came with Windows 8... got fed up with the gaming issues in Windows 8 so I reverted/downgraded it to Windows 7.

Just remember that YOU CANNOT downgrade a Windows 8 machine to Windows 7 UNLESS THE OEM has Windows 7 Drivers FOR your computer model line... otherwise its impossible to downgrade!

[Phyton]

windows is like porn. people who have an internet connection dont buy it.

I agree with you ;)

If Windows is porn, then I'm the Patron - now, who is gonna be my pet whore for the night. :rolleyes:

:tease:

[dcs18]

after installing w8 here for 2 days (this time on my real system and fully configure it) , i cant say any bad word on it and neither good word , its act same as my w7 i run for about 3 years ... so i think according to the scene this my consider as a GOOD word :D

Actually, a talented person like you wont find any difficulties in bringing the goodness of Windows 7 (like looks, workflow, etc., etc.) into the lighter kernel of Windows 8. :)

I've modded my Windows 8 in such a way that it looks and behaves like an exact replica of Windows 7 (nobody believes it's a Windows 8.) I get to enjoy the enhanced performance & security that's throbbing under the hood though.

[dcs18]

Just remember that YOU CANNOT downgrade a Windows 8 machine to Windows 7 UNLESS THE OEM has Windows 7 Drivers FOR your computer model line... otherwise its impossible to downgrade!

It's possible - we've done it (just read from the linked post, onwards.) 8)

[mjall]

I love it guys! sorry but have to disagree with all the above - first of all this is unexpected from MS to advise windows 8.1 as a free update; it was expected to be a new fresh release! besides all this; this only proofs all my earlier posts that no matter what MS does, everyone will still criticize because I know this has nothing to do with the start button and all what is mentioned in your comments! if you hate something you will hate it and it goes all the way back to take it or leave it nothing else!

Microsoft before Windows 8: Everyone is saying good things about it.

Microsoft after Windows 8: Due to bad strategies, people are not happy with the company's actions and are criticizing it. People have no right to criticize a company, which, until Windows 8 came along, was considered their own favourite company?

Now, if people are here just to bash Microsoft, then why everyone had great words for it before Windows 8 development started? In a community (here, at nsane.forums) where there are hardly any Apple fanboys, Microsoft bashing happens not for fun, but for a reason.

Also, I say it again and again, don't insult the most recognizable thing about Windows, right from Windows 95 to Windows 7, as just Start "Button", it's the Start "Menu" that holds the main value, not some modifiable glossy button.

AMEN :-) like your post

[RadioActive]

It's only natural for it to be free, it's pretty much a glorified service pack.