Windows 8.1 Update, The Start Screen, Desktop and Other Enhancements Roll Out April 8

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Windows 8.1 Update, The Start Screen, Desktop and Other Enhancements Roll Out April 8

engine

5:58 pm on Apr 8, 2014 (gmt 0)

Some of the things that leapt out at me was the fact that that Windows 8.1 Update is compulsory if you want to continue getting regular updates.
The other thing is that on non-tablet devices this will now boot to the desktop as default.

This (see below) is a comprehensive document and worth reading if you're a Windows 8.1 user, or are considering deploying Windows 8.1

As with 8.1, we continue to evolve and improve the OS and last week, at the Build 2014 conference, we released "Windows 8.1 Update" to MSDN. On Tuesday, April 8th, the Update will be released to the Windows Update Catalog, Windows Update and WSUS channels. Windows 8.1 Update, The Start Screen, Desktop and Other Enhancements Roll Out April 8 [blogs.technet.com]

IanCP

8:07 pm on Apr 8, 2014 (gmt 0)

I had a look at the suggested link, and it reminded me of a much earlier thought with Windows 8 start screen.

How do you get rid of Microsoft's bumpf or unnecessary clutter for me? Example just looking at the suggested page start up depiction:

Mail
Weather
Skype
People
Store
Sports

I don't need it, I'll never use it.

As for mail, for over a decade I've used Mailwasher in tandem with Thunderbird. It's all I need - simple.

Just some initial thoughts, I'll gravitate over to 8.1 when I think this update has been properly digested by others.

IanCP

8:10 pm on Apr 8, 2014 (gmt 0)

Just an added thought, when going from Win 8 to 8.1 can you customise anything?

engine

8:16 am on Apr 9, 2014 (gmt 0)

Win 8 to 8.1 customisation. I believe, when going to the 8.1 Update there is some customisation. I'm about to find out as the 800+ Mb dowload has started. It's taking an absolute age, no doubt because so many are downloading at the same time.

Readie

12:02 pm on Apr 9, 2014 (gmt 0)

How do you get rid of Microsoft's bumpf or unnecessary clutter for me? Example just looking at the suggested page start up depiction:

Mail
Weather
Skype
People
Store
Sports

You can just right click and say "Unpin from start"

You've been able to do that since 8.0

IanCP

10:14 pm on Apr 9, 2014 (gmt 0)

You can just right click and say "Unpin from start"

Thanks for that clue. With Win 8, I was quickly able to configure it to boot directly to Desk Top, my own preference.

I then pinned shut down, restart, command prompt buttons to the task bar along with IE, Firefox, Thunderbird, File Explorer etc.

If I can similarly configure 8.1 I'll be quite happy.

IanCP

10:29 pm on Apr 15, 2014 (gmt 0)

So, I bit the bullet and upgraded to 8.1 from 8

A monumental disaster!

Every setting lost etc. etc. Far too long a story to relate, and I don't believe I'm some neophyte. Slowly I am retrieving things from before.

The whole exercise merely re-confirms my view of the sheer arrogance of Microsoft's attitude:

DO IT OUR WAY - OR NO WAY

You would not believe how rubbish this WebmasterWorld page now looks in both IE11 and latest Firefox.

bill

7:10 am on Apr 17, 2014 (gmt 0)

I upgraded several machines to 8.1 and never lost any settings just using the defaults in most cases. What sort of settings did you lose?

engine

7:41 am on Apr 17, 2014 (gmt 0)

Sorry to hear that,IanCP. How odd.

I have now updated a few machines and the only gripe I had was the time it took. Apart from that, all settings and data was preserved.