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

koolpc · 22 Sep 2013 at 15:18

Is it ok to install 8.1 on top over win 8?

gareth170 · 22 Sep 2013 at 16:14

koolpc said:
Is it ok to install 8.1 on top over win 8?

yes I did that..

but I went back to windows 8 due to Kaspersky Internet Security not being compatible with 8.1 yet.

zoomee · 22 Sep 2013 at 16:34

Thought the built-in AV stuff from microsoft was adequate?
Are other peeps running seperate AV programs with their Windows 8 installs?

RavenXXX2 · 22 Sep 2013 at 16:44

8.1 here with avast beta and yeah it's excellent even for a beta.

Bobmunkhouse · 22 Sep 2013 at 16:58

Elevon said:
Yes,basically use one of the keys above to install Win8.1 RTM (depending if you have core or Pro version key)then after install at desktop change the key by installing your upgrade Win8 key,ie use command prompt as admin, type

slmgr.vbs -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx then hit enter key

xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx being your Win8 upgrade key.

It does work that's how I did my clean install of Win8.1 RTM Pro with my legit upgrade Win8 Pro key.

Cheers....Im downloading now from below.....just dont know if I want the hassel of clean install rather then upgrade....hmmm

http://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-8-1-rtm-now-available-for-download.176800/

Elevon · 22 Sep 2013 at 17:49

zoomee said:
Thought the built-in AV stuff from microsoft was adequate?
Are other peeps running seperate AV programs with their Windows 8 installs?

Defender is improved in Win8.1,

"Windows 7 is six times more likely to get infected than Windows 8 and Windows XP is 21 times more likely to be exploited."

But that was still all defensive reactions; for Windows 8.1, he said, Microsoft is going on the offensive with better malware protection, new ways of checking the security certificates web sites rely on - and with a plan to add encryption and biometric security to every PC.

Windows 8 security explained

The built-in anti-malware tool Defender will protect against more threats in the browser, including from plugins and ActiveX controls. "In Windows 8.1 we will scan those payloads before they're executed," Hallum told us.

http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/windows-8-1-security-what-s-been-improved-1156705

I'm using Defender with Malwarebytes free version at the moment until Avast 9 is out,AVG 2014 works,I did find the internet security version to be a bit flakey,free version being less bloated should be more stable.

metalmackey · 22 Sep 2013 at 18:34

Whats wrong with Avast 8 on Win 8? Seems ok here.

Elevon · 22 Sep 2013 at 19:22

metalmackey said:
Whats wrong with Avast 8 on Win 8? Seems ok here.

Avast 8 is fine if you use latest version,seems to work ok with Win8.1.

Avast 8.0.1497 Now Compatible With Windows 8.1

If you decide to try this on your 8.1 computer, please be advised of the following:

On boot, you may receive a warning indicating that Avast 8.0.1497 is not compatible with Win 8. The Avast response to this issue is:
we fixed all issues with Windows 8.1 however we are waiting on Microsoft to remove the BLOCKs for avast Antivirus. That's the reason why you still see those warnings.
The temporary solution is to check the "don't show this notice again" box when prompted.

You may also see a few event logs because of the above situation. Specifically, I am/was receiving an Event ID 1 and I also received an Event ID 1000 log initially but now it appears to have vanished.

In any event, I'm glad Avast is back for Win 8.1 and the first thing I noticed was the marked improvement in boot speed. The Windows Defender boot processes must have been slowing down my laptop boot dramatically.

Get it here:

http://www.eightforums.com/system-security/31010-avast-8-0-1497-now-compatible-windows-8-1-a.html

gareth170 · 22 Sep 2013 at 19:45

zoomee said:
Thought the built-in AV stuff from microsoft was adequate?
Are other peeps running seperate AV programs with their Windows 8 installs?

I always use Kaspersky Internet Security and I will continue to use it because I've never had a virus/malware get through it

Elevon · 22 Sep 2013 at 21:51

gareth170 said:
I always use Kaspersky Internet Security and I will continue to use it because I've never had a virus/malware get through it

I have just installed Avast 2014 beta2,works fine with Win8.1 and is compatible.

Hi all,

I'm glad to announce that we've just released AVAST 2014 BETA2 (build number 9.0.2001).
Many thanks for all comments you provided us here on the forum and feedback.avast.com from the first beta!
We've fixed many problems, here is the list of the most important ones:
- GUI glitches
- FW stability
- Network protection component tuning & compatibility (Win8 ) - no more Tdi technology
- Windows 8.1 compatibility
- Smooth updates of VPS & program
- Updated the SafeZone browser

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=134419.0

McManicMan · 22 Sep 2013 at 23:19

8.1 installed here, just did the upgrade from w8.It took awhile but all seem's ok. I also Installed classic shell for start menu as still prefer w7 start menu

malachi · 22 Sep 2013 at 23:56

gareth170 said:
yes I did that..

but I went back to windows 8 due to Kaspersky Internet Security not being compatible with 8.1 yet.

I did the same, also was slapped in the face with a BSOD

So I will wait till public release.

Bobmunkhouse · 23 Sep 2013 at 10:00

Hi all, I have installed ISO from below link and on the bottom right is shows Windows 8.1 pro build 9600....are we sure this is RTM and if so how do I get rid of that build information?

gareth170 · 23 Sep 2013 at 10:28

Bobmunkhouse said:
Hi all, I have installed ISO from below link and on the bottom right is shows Windows 8.1 pro build 9600....are we sure this is RTM and if so how do I get rid of that build information?

yes it's RTM.

you need to change the key to your own key then it'll activate

Bobmunkhouse · 23 Sep 2013 at 11:17

gareth170 said:
yes it's RTM.

you need to change the key to your own key then it'll activate

Ok great so then it will get rid of build number stuff...cheers

MOOGLEYS · 23 Sep 2013 at 12:23

Bobmunkhouse said:
Ok great so then it will get rid of build number stuff...cheers

Mine is activated and I still have the build number in the bottom right corner. No idea how you get rid of it ?

I have

Windows 8.1 Pro
Secureboot isn't configured correctly
Build 9600

In the corner of mine.

Anyone any ideas how to remove. I do not have secureboot enabled as my GPU does not have a compatible bios.

ubersonic · 23 Sep 2013 at 12:55

For anyone else who was disappointed that Microsoft decided to listen to the un-silent minority and take a step backwards, the is a program called StartIsGone that will remove the Start button from 8.1

Trig · 23 Sep 2013 at 12:58

:lol: is that actually true or just rather ironic humour

zoomee · 23 Sep 2013 at 13:05

MOOGLEYS said:
Mine is activated and I still have the build number in the bottom right corner. No idea how you get rid of it ?

I have

In the corner of mine.

Anyone any ideas how to remove. I do not have secureboot enabled as my GPU does not have a compatible bios.

If it shows the build number then its not a proper final build! - glad I've held off installing it just yet
Secureboot is awesome btw - had to flash my gfx card (Asus 670GTX) to get proper UEFI compatibility in order to get it working. Pretty impressed now there's no BIOS screen, PC boots even quicker than before and I get a fancy ROG logo when booting up instead of the windows one lol

MOOGLEYS · 23 Sep 2013 at 13:10

It is the full final 9600 build but

I have the message as my secureboot is not enabled due to my Zotac GTX 680 not having a secureboot bios.

Zotac have not and apparently are not releasing a secureboot bios for the 4GB 680 so as I installed Win 8 in UEFI mode it seems I'm stuck with the message as 8.1 wants securboot enabled if UEFI is used.

Pile of Poo.