Windows 8.1 arrives!

Simon · Oct 17, 2013, 12:49:46

Microsoft is releasing the Windows 8.1 update for its flagship operating system on Thursday.

The download seeks to address some of the criticisms levelled at the original version of Windows 8.

In particular, the update restores the start button and allows a computer to boot up with a traditional desktop interface.

The launch comes at a critical time for Microsoft as it seeks a new boss, with PC sales experiencing a long decline.

Windows 8 sought to bridge the gap between touchscreen devices, such as tablets and smartphones, and more traditional form laptops and desktop machines. As such it had an interface built of tiles that could be tapped or swiped to open applications.

However, many people found the tiled interface did not work well for some of the things they were used to doing with a computer.

The changes in 8.1 include:

• start button - tapping once on this brings up the tiled interface and a long press opens up system controls

• desktop mode - lets people avoid the tiled interface entirely

• keyboard shortcuts - removes the need to toggle between different on-screen keyboards when typing numbers and letters

• gesture control - some applications, such as those for cooking, can now be paged through without touching a screen

• tile sizing - the blocks on the touchscreen interface can be in one of four sizes

• web browsing - Windows 8 machines will now display separate web pages side by side

A host of other changes, including better support for multi-tasking and improved links to Microsoft's Xbox game console, are also in the update.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24564738

psp83 · Oct 17, 2013, 16:01:48

Installed it lunch time and liking it better than 8.0

It seems faster as well.

Den · Oct 17, 2013, 22:55:24

Installed w8.1 on my desktop and laptop but it will not install on my back up desktop and comes up with error 0x1900101-0x40017 and restores to w8. Any thoughts? Also on my main computer I seem to have lost all my data Office/Outlook Calendar.

Simon · Oct 17, 2013, 23:06:14

Do you have a backup of Office / Outlook, Den? I do remember when I went from Office 2003 to 2007, I thought I'd lost everything, but it had just decided to put them in different folders. Maybe something similar has happened?

Den · Oct 17, 2013, 23:11:59

I'm sure it has just to tired to look, I'm going to bed and will look in morning. As for the backup computer I will wait as other people are reporting the same problem. I must admit it was easier to move from 7 to 8 than it was from 8 to 8.1.

Simon · Oct 17, 2013, 23:21:14

But Dennis, I thought Windows 8 was perfect in every way!

Den · Oct 17, 2013, 23:33:39

Windows 8 was

Gary · Oct 17, 2013, 23:54:05

Quote from: Den on Oct 17, 2013, 23:33:39
Windows 8 was

Thats why it sold so well

Glenn · Oct 18, 2013, 07:17:50

Quote from: Den on Oct 17, 2013, 22:55:24
Installed w8.1 on my desktop and laptop but it will not install on my back up desktop and comes up with error 0x1900101-0x40017 and restores to w8. Any thoughts? Also on my main computer I seem to have lost all my data Office/Outlook Calendar.

Take a look at http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1_pr-windows_install/error-0xc1900101-0x40017-trying-to-install-81/b7504ec8-56be-450c-88aa-8c68224e9db5?page=1&tab=question&status=AllReplies

Den · Oct 18, 2013, 09:27:40

Any thoughts on this one. I always use Office 2010 Outlook for my emails and calendar. At the moment I can't find my appointments in Outlook but I can when using my iPad using the default calendar. I have tried accessing the iCloud calendar in outlook but it won't let me open it saying file (or files) is missing. I have logged into iCloud and altered the settings to share between computers but it still does not work.

Simon · Oct 18, 2013, 09:47:19

Have you opened up the folders in Outlook itself, Den, to see what's there? It may have just hidden your calendar in another folder.

psp83 · Oct 18, 2013, 14:42:18

Quote from: Den on Oct 18, 2013, 09:27:40
Any thoughts on this one. I always use Office 2010 Outlook for my emails and calendar. At the moment I can't find my appointments in Outlook but I can when using my iPad using the default calendar. I have tried accessing the iCloud calendar in outlook but it won't let me open it saying file (or files) is missing. I have logged into iCloud and altered the settings to share between computers but it still does not work.

That's weird as I have Outlook 2010 and didn't have any problems, the only thing 8.1 removed on my PC was the AV that was supported but AVAST has a newer version supporting 8.1 anyways.

Go to you C drive and see if you can find the missing files in Windows.old folder and restore them ?

cavillas · Oct 18, 2013, 15:21:44

Did an update yesterday, it took 2 hours from download to completion. Works faster and more manageable than before. Like it a lot. Didn't lose anything and everything works fine. Upgraded from my £24.00 Windows 8 Pro bought from Microsoft at the start. Very pleased with results.

pctech · Oct 18, 2013, 18:33:50

Are you using the same AV on all your PCs Den?

Looking at this page http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/update-from-windows-8-tutorial it is supposed to run an Upgrade Advisor type check before it proceeds, did this show any issues with hardware or software?

psp83 · Oct 18, 2013, 18:48:09

Quote from: pctech on Oct 18, 2013, 18:33:50
Are you using the same AV on all your PCs Den?

Looking at this page http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/update-from-windows-8-tutorial it is supposed to run an Upgrade Advisor type check before it proceeds, did this show any issues with hardware or software?

When I installed it, it was "checking & getting information" for a while, then it went on with installing and asking to restart to finish, once finish it booted into the desktop and had removed my AV without warning, I actually didn't know until I read a forum post saying it destroyed their AV, so I decided to check mine, that's when I noticed.

-1 for MS on that.

pctech · Oct 18, 2013, 19:01:53

I'm not really surprised it did that to be honest with you.

If you think about it you are overwriting your computer's OS and the primary job of AV is to prevent compromise of the OS.

Den · Oct 18, 2013, 20:19:39

Latest problem, my laptop will no longer connect to my homehub 4 even though it's sitting along side it. On the trouble diagnostic it says Wifi doesn't have a valid IP configuration.

psp83 · Oct 18, 2013, 21:30:41

Quote from: Den on Oct 18, 2013, 20:19:39
Latest problem, my laptop will no longer connect to my homehub 4 even though it's sitting along side it. On the trouble diagnostic it says Wifi doesn't have a valid IP configuration.

Try resetting the TCP/IP stack

Press Windows Key + X.
Click Command prompt (Admin mode)
Type 'netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt'
Press Enter.
Reboot the computer.

psp83 · Oct 18, 2013, 21:32:23

Quote from: pctech on Oct 18, 2013, 19:01:53
I'm not really surprised it did that to be honest with you.

If you think about it you are overwriting your computer's OS and the primary job of AV is to prevent compromise of the OS.

I'm happy for it to do it but it should at least tell you.

But I think it did it because I had 2013 version and didn't fully support 8.1, I had 2014 on my laptop and it didn't remove the AV.

pctech · Oct 19, 2013, 20:58:40

That's why then.

It prob didn't generate a prompt as MS didn't want to be bombarded by calls from the non tech savvy public.

Den · Oct 20, 2013, 13:20:41

Turned on my laptop and now it can access the Web even though I have not changed anything. Microsoft cure (turning off and then back on again seems to work again)

Simon · Oct 20, 2013, 13:28:41

Den · Oct 20, 2013, 13:53:23

I want to upgrade on my second desktop as it failed twice. I have turned off Defender and installed Bullguard, got rid of classic shell and tried and failed to update my Geoforce video card. But I can't find the update for Windows 8.1 on the Microsoft store any more. Any thought how to find it would be great?

Den · Oct 20, 2013, 14:24:55

OK now its re-appeared on the Microsoft store so I will try again.

pctech · Oct 20, 2013, 14:54:46

Here's the official download page for Nvidia if you need it Den http://www.geforce.co.uk/drivers

Den · Oct 20, 2013, 15:57:39

Failed again

Just updated video driver (thanks for the link) and am trying again.

Den · Oct 20, 2013, 17:54:48

and failed again error message 0XC1900101 - 0X40017 Anybody out there with any thoughts

Glenn · Oct 20, 2013, 17:58:26

Have you read the link I posted earlier?

Simon · Oct 20, 2013, 18:03:44

A quick look around via Google seems to indicate that there isn't a solution as yet.

Den · Oct 20, 2013, 20:36:53

On my spare desktop which is still on Windows 8, when I open Office/Outlook I have a tag for iCloud on the ribbon but it has been removed in the Windows 8.1 version so there fore I can not access the iCloud calendars in outlook. Any thoughts on how I can gett it back. PLEASE.

Den · Oct 20, 2013, 21:16:04

After following this up, I logged out of iCloud and logged back in again, altered the settings and it now works ok with Outlook (no wonder I curse Apple).

pctech · Oct 20, 2013, 21:19:30

The link Glenn posted earlier includes a link to this page http://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2013/06/26/nvidia-drivers-for-windows-8-1-release-preview-now-available-2/

pctech · Oct 20, 2013, 22:14:45

just a thought, if you uninstall the Geforce drivers, does it go back to standard VGA adapter?

If it does, do the upgrade while its like that and then reinstall the GeForce drivers?

zappaDPJ · Oct 21, 2013, 00:57:31

Quote from: Den on Oct 20, 2013, 17:54:48
and failed again error message 0XC1900101 - 0X40017 Anybody out there with any thoughts

Unfortunately there is no resolution to that because Microsoft themselves don't know the cause. The issue occurs during the second boot, driver check which would suggest there's a defective driver installed but I'd bet my lunch that it's actually a problem with the update itself. This afternoon/evening I managed to overcome the problem on a laptop by deleting the graphics card drivers. I've seen a lot of suggestions supposedly originating from Microsoft that it's an Nvidia driver issue but this laptop had an AMD chip set.

You could try that, delete the drivers but don't reboot and then apply the update. I suppose you should also ensure all your other drivers are up-to-date but really this is something Microsoft needs to fix.

Broadback · Oct 21, 2013, 10:45:30

Perhaps I should have opened a new topic for this question, but as it concerns 8.1 I thought is would write here. I cannot find the update download to run it. Where is it, I am completely lost?

zappaDPJ · Oct 21, 2013, 12:38:57

Good question! I couldn't find it either this morning. It looks like Microsoft may have removed it

Steve · Oct 21, 2013, 12:44:42

Well I think we know why? Too many failed installs.

Ray · Oct 21, 2013, 12:47:51

Have you got this update installed?

Although the Windows 8.1 update is downloaded and installed from the Store, your PC needs another update, KB 2871389, before Windows 8.1 becomes available to you in the Store.

zappaDPJ · Oct 21, 2013, 12:49:47

Five minutes after posting that it came back

However they have now pulled the Windows RT update http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24608277

[EDIT] Sorry, I was too wrapped up with my own problems and forgot to say. The update should be available via the app store but check out what Ray said if it's not on your desktop.

Simon · Oct 21, 2013, 13:25:23

I'm glad I stuck to Windows 7.

Broadback · Oct 21, 2013, 13:52:51

When I search for Windows update as per Microsoft instructions there is nowt found, so that is me cream crackered!

psp83 · Oct 21, 2013, 14:52:18

Copy and paste the below into your browser, it should load up the store and give you the option to download it..

Code Select

ms-windows-store:WindowsUpgrade

Ray · Oct 21, 2013, 17:54:02

There's instructions here for a legitimate method to download and create installation media for Win 8.1 as an ISO on a DVD or on a USB stick: -

http://www.neowin.net/news/here-is-how-to-get-the-windows-81-iso-and-create-a-usb-install-stick

Lona · Oct 21, 2013, 19:43:15

I'm so glad I sent my windows 8 PC back to Amazon

psp83 · Oct 21, 2013, 20:19:10

Quote from: Ray on Oct 21, 2013, 17:54:02
There's instructions here for a legitimate method to download and create installation media for Win 8.1 as an ISO on a DVD or on a USB stick: -

http://www.neowin.net/news/here-is-how-to-get-the-windows-81-iso-and-create-a-usb-install-stick

But if you use the disk to install then your Windows 8 key will not work, you have to use the "trial" keys floating around then once installed, re enter your windows 8 key and activate..

I don't understand why MS just doesn't put an ISO up that we can use our Windows 8 key with, after all its a free update for existing 8 users.

Broadback · Oct 22, 2013, 11:48:06

I've failed again. First Store is empty, when I try to update it by going to settings etc. I simply go back to Store, which flashes up then goes off. Added to that I have no Windows 8 key, that I can find. I started out loving Windows 8, but this is rapidly turning into hate. Incidentally when I rebuilt the machine the second time it worked except that II could not access drive C: It seems this is a known fault, I found the way to repair this, but it was rather convoluted and slow!

Ray · Oct 22, 2013, 12:02:05

Download and run the free version of Belarc Advisor from here: -

http://belarc.com/free_download.html

You'll be able to find your Win 8 product key in the report it produces.

Broadback · Oct 22, 2013, 12:35:46

Thanks Ray, I have that now.

psp83 · Oct 22, 2013, 16:00:29

Quote from: Broadback on Oct 22, 2013, 11:48:06
I've failed again. First Store is empty, when I try to update it by going to settings etc. I simply go back to Store, which flashes up then goes off. Added to that I have no Windows 8 key, that I can find. I started out loving Windows 8, but this is rapidly turning into hate. Incidentally when I rebuilt the machine the second time it worked except that II could not access drive C: It seems this is a known fault, I found the way to repair this, but it was rather convoluted and slow!

Personally Broadback, If I was having the issues you are getting then I would backup all personal files to a USB drive etc then wipe the C drive via command prompt.

Reboot the machine with a windows 8 disk / usb stick in and do a fresh install.

This way, there will be no files on the hard drive, it'll be like starting with a new hard drive.

After installing Windows 8 and updates, install Windows 8.1 then install your programs and then restore your personal files, Image your drive and back that up.

Broadback · Oct 23, 2013, 09:19:26

Good advice, but I was neither supplied with a back-up nor the Windows Licence Number. However one can do a clean reliodd, it seems from a special internal hard drive, but I assume if I wipe the hard drive I assume I would lose that option. However I will continue to investigate.

Glenn · Oct 23, 2013, 09:49:19

The 'Special hard drive' will be a hidden partition on the drive, they sometimes ask the user to burn the image to a CD/DVD. Formatting the C drive will not wipe the hidden partition, so it should retain the image stored on it.

Steve · Oct 23, 2013, 10:42:23

The hidden partition should remain hidden with a format of C:\ of course it's possible to delete a hidden partition but you've got to find it first and then deliberately delete it.

psp83 · Oct 23, 2013, 11:05:44

You could image the drive first, then if something goes wrong, just restore the image.

Download a Windows 8 ISO and burn it to a DVD, find your Windows key (plenty of programs out there that does this), write the key on the DVD (& paper).

Wipe C drive, boot with the DVD you just made in the drive then follow the steps I said in my last post.

Broadback · Oct 23, 2013, 15:14:07

Thanks you all for your help.I read the full set up instructions for VAIO and found that is could do a sort of factory reset. This I have done, though I still have no Microsoft store I am confident I will get that sorted. At least the c drive was accessible and also set up.

psp83 · Oct 23, 2013, 16:15:37

Quote from: Broadback on Oct 23, 2013, 15:14:07
Thanks you all for your help.I read the full set up instructions for VAIO and found that is could do a sort of factory reset. This I have done, though I still have no Microsoft store I am confident I will get that sorted. At least the c drive was accessible and also set up.

Why I advise to do it with a Windows 8 ISO is because you avoid all the cr*p OEM's install, that way you know its just a basic Windows install and nothing that the OEM has installed is causing the problems.