Confirmed: Windows Blue Will Be Free, to Be Called 8.1

Boomstick777 · 14 May 2013 at 17:52

"Windows 8.1 will be offered free of charge to Windows 8 customers and will be available for download via the Windows Store."

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Confirmed-Windows-Blue-Will-Be-Free-to-Be-Called-8-1-353295.shtml

theheyes · 14 May 2013 at 17:54

I said it would be (free). It was the only way.

Philtor · 14 May 2013 at 23:59

Was Vista not free as well?

bledd · 15 May 2013 at 08:26

Looking forward to this, should be a nice refresh to Windows 8

Glaucus · 15 May 2013 at 09:25

bledd. said:
Looking forward to this, should be a nice refresh to Windows 8

Really looking forward to half and half split screen, now just need a 1080p tablet with ~12" screen to make use of it.

Elevon · 15 May 2013 at 13:06

bledd. said:
Looking forward to this, should be a nice refresh to Windows 8

I'm looking forward to the new set of moans and groans by some users out there lol...some people are never happy

opethdisciple · 15 May 2013 at 21:49

Depending on what it brings to the table, I may I upgrade... but not really sure if i's worth it from win 7.

robinbredin · 15 May 2013 at 22:09

More HERE from Microsoft, and customer preview will be 26th June.

theheyes · 15 May 2013 at 22:28

I hope this is the model going forward - a paid major release every three years and free point releases in between. If they keep the promotional pricing at ~£45 then its a bargain (providing they don't tinker with the support lifecycle)

linktoinsanity · 16 May 2013 at 09:48

Elevon said:
I'm looking forward to the new set of moans and groans by some users out there lol...some people are never happy

Would be very happy if they brought back the old Start Menu...

I'll be interested in what 8.1 will bring to the table however, see if it brings an improvement to the Windows 8 experience at any rate.

squarehead94 · 17 May 2013 at 01:23

hope this helps make windows 8 better cos right now it bites ass.

gareth170 · 17 May 2013 at 08:12

linktoinsanity said:
Would be very happy if they brought back the old Start Menu...

it won't happen

DaleTheWhale · 17 May 2013 at 10:35

I thought the option was there in Windows Blue for the start menu, you could disable the current start screen and replace with the classic start menu. It was leaked in the source code if I'm correct or has this rumour been de-bunked?

Glaucus · 17 May 2013 at 10:38

No, there will be a start button, which takes you to the start screen. FT and other media went and wrote silly bugger articles. It's nothing more than a visual button, rather than just a hot corner. Although option for boot straight to desktop should be in there.
The menu is dead and won't be coming back, other than through third party add ons.

Minstadave · 17 May 2013 at 10:44

Glaucus said:
The menu is dead and won't be coming back, other than through third party add ons.

You said that about the start button

Infidelus · 17 May 2013 at 11:10

Minstadave said:
You said that about the start button

There's a difference between a start menu and a start button

Minstadave · 17 May 2013 at 11:13

Infidelus said:
There's a difference between a start menu and a start button

There's a difference between a feral goat and the humidity a week last Tuesday too. :confused:

theheyes · 17 May 2013 at 11:17

I think the term Start button/menu has been used interchangeably in the past, it's only recently we've had to be more specific.

Infidelus · 17 May 2013 at 11:41

theheyes said:
I think the term Start button/menu has been used interchangeably in the past, it's only recently we've had to be more specific.

Fair comment

Infidelus · 17 May 2013 at 11:42

Minstadave said:
There's a difference between a feral goat and the humidity a week last Tuesday too.

The difference being, it wasn't very humid last week, and you don't see a lot of feral goats around here

But back to the point, the old start menu isn't coming back, just a visual clue as to how to get to the modern UI.