This handy little guide will help you download Windows 8.1 ISO file from Microsoft. It will allow you to update an existing installation of Windows 8, so that saves you the download time and cost, especially if you’re on a metered connection or have multiple PCs that need to be upgraded to Windows 8.1.
Microsoft owns the Xbox console lineup, right? And the company also owns the most widely-used desktop computing platform, Windows, as well. It would naturally make sense for the Redmond giant to have a dedicated app for promoting its Xbox console by simple math. Hence, the company has done just that, by releasing a news and countdown app for Xbox One for Windows 8.
Windows 8 users have been waiting patiently for the arrival of the official Facebook app for quite some time. Back in June of this year, Microsoft did their best to raise excitement levels by pre-announcing that the world's largest social network would be releasing a native app for the platform along with other respected offerings like Flipboard. The privately held session during the company's BUILD event even went as far as showing off the wondrous new apps on a touchscreen tablet device. The teasing and waiting is eventually over for Windows users as Facebook has released their official app just in time for the launch of Windows 8.1.
There's little doubt that the big topic of discussion surrounding Windows 8's launch last year was the removal of the Start button that we had all grown to love ever since its addition in Windows 95. The cornerstone, and literally living in the corner of Windows ever since, the Start button was unceremoniously removed in Windows 8 as Microsoft tried to push its users towards the Metro/Modern interface that it hoped would replace the old way we navigated our apps, settings and documents.
Net Applications has just released its monthly NetMarketShare statistics, and with Windows 8.1 on the horizon, it throws up some rather interesting findings regarding adoption rates of currently available versions of the Redmond company's platform. Notably, Windows 8 usage seems to have seen a significant upturn, with a leap from 5.42 percent to 7.65 percent worldwide during the month of August alone. Meanwhile, Windows XP, which still enjoys a healthy market share despite its age, dipped from 37.19 percent to 33.66 percent.
Windows 8 may still be considerably bereft when it comes to popular apps, but in a fortnight that has seen a working Instagram app arrive on the mobile version of Microsoft's fledgling platform, Foursquare for Windows 8 has just made its long-awaited appearance over at the Windows Store. First unveiled at Microsoft's BUILD dev conference back in June, the turnaround has been fairly swift, and now fans of the social check-in service can collect their badges, make and view recommendations, and strive for mayorship using the new app.
Windows 8.1 has spent the past few months being primed and prepared for its October 17th release date, and with build number 9600 now confirmed as the Release to manufacturing (RTM), the process of assembling Windows 8.1 for public consumption is all-but complete. In a week that has seen CEO Steve Ballmer announce his imminent retirement after 13 years at the helm, it's critical that this transitional phase has only a positive effect on the Redmond company's product range, and with Windows 8.1 now getting its RTM, the stage is set for a new wave of corresponding products.
Microsoft has just confirmed that its upcoming Windows 8.1 will begin rolling out on 17th October to consumers, which ties in nicely with previous reports. The update, which will hit the various markets across the world periodically over the course of the 24 hours thereafter, brings a whole host of small changes from Windows 8 that collectively make for a better overall user experience.
A few weeks back, it was announced that Halo: Spartan Assault would be hitting the Windows Store and Windows Phone Store in the near future and today, the title has just appeared for both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. Costing $6.99, it would seem a must-have for anybody claiming to be a legitimate Halo fan, and we've got all of the details after the break!
Windows 8.1 RTM release date for OEM partners has been confirmed by Microsoft. More details can be found here.
