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

linktoinsanity · 21 Jun 2013 at 16:51

Buckster said:
so if you install the preview, your only option afterwards is to re-install the complete OS and then install the full version of 8.1 ? or am I reading the blurb wrong ?

The Previews are not designed to replace the main PC operating system, they are designed to be used on a test machine/test partition to test/preview the upcoming operating system. Do not install it on your main system if you have important data on there and are not prepared to re-install at a later date!!!

Glaucus · 21 Jun 2013 at 18:37

It's always been that way. it's a beta for experienced people who don't mind Instability etc, its not for general users.

Buckster · 21 Jun 2013 at 18:49

not really - betas have normally been full installs haven't they ?

not a beta to install over a current build ?

I would have thought a full beta ISO would have been better bet ? one we could install to another partition as a test/preview ?

Glaucus · 21 Jun 2013 at 18:52

It's always been the case you would end to reinstall when it's comes out officially, same as win8 preview, win7 preview and so on.
Of course they haven't dont a full build, giving you a full function win8 for nothing.

Buckster · 21 Jun 2013 at 18:59

Glaucus said:
It's always been the case you would end to reinstall when it's comes out officially, same as win8 preview, win7 preview and so on.
Of course they haven't dont a full build, giving you a full function win8 for nothing.

I meant a full time expiring "build"

just like they did with

Windows 7 RC
and Windows 8 Preview

no reason to say they couldn't have done same for 8.1

I don't remember a beta "patch" before - not a public one ?

Glaucus · 21 Jun 2013 at 19:11

They were all more service packs, rather than a rather large update.

theheyes · 21 Jun 2013 at 19:13

As far as I'm aware you can upgrade from the preview to RTM 8.1. No OS reinstall required.

nightmare99 · 21 Jun 2013 at 19:50

As far as I'm aware you can upgrade from the preview to RTM 8.1. No OS reinstall required.

You have to reinstall all your metro apps though don't you?

theheyes · 21 Jun 2013 at 21:12

Yes, your metro apps need to be reinstalled. But in the grand scheme of things that's easy peasy

V F · 22 Jun 2013 at 01:22

App store, your apps.

Jed Shields · 22 Jun 2013 at 09:34

It's a pain if you use Oblytile to create custom tiles for everything :/

markweatherill · 24 Jun 2013 at 13:18

theheyes said:
your metro apps need to be reinstalled.

...and your desktop apps.

theheyes · 24 Jun 2013 at 17:47

markweatherill said:
...and your desktop apps.

Correct. Originally they said metro apps but that since seems to have been redacted/updated.

Martini1991 · 24 Jun 2013 at 18:13

Which makes it a pain.

Buckster · 24 Jun 2013 at 19:12

is it even possible to re-install all your desktop apps ?

which ? even those that come pre-installed ?

theheyes · 24 Jun 2013 at 19:20

Basically, if you decide to upgrade to the 8.1 Preview, when you come install 8.1 RTM over the top of it you'll have to reinstall all your software and metro apps again.

Martini1991 · 24 Jun 2013 at 19:52

I don't understand that though.
What's it going to do? Wipe everything?

Or else you're going to have your installed files taking up loads of space, but they're not actually useable.

jesusismyairbag · 24 Jun 2013 at 20:07

cant wait to not get that.

djkav · 24 Jun 2013 at 20:22

unwashed potato! · 24 Jun 2013 at 21:14

i thought this was standard procedure and has been since windows began?