Software & Apps > Windows Microsoft Windows 8.1 Everything you need to know about Microsoft Windows 8.1 By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Facebook Twitter Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 18, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide Windows 8.1 was the first major update to the Windows 8 operating system. The Windows 8.1 update is free for all Windows 8 users. The Windows 8.1 update includes a number of new features, user interface changes, and bug fixes. Originally code-named Windows Blue, the Windows 8.1 update is in many ways equivalent to the service packs that were available in previous versions of Windows like Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. Drew Angerer / Getty Images Windows 8.1 Release Date and Updates Windows 8.1 was released on October 17th, 2013. Windows 8.1 Update, released on April 8, 2014, is currently the most recent major update to Windows 8. Windows 11 is currently the most recent version of Windows available. Microsoft isn't planning a Windows 8.2 or Windows 8.1 Update 2 update. If new features are made available, they'll be pushed alongside other updates on Patch Tuesday. Windows 8.1 Download Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro are free updates to those respective editions of Windows 8, but the update package isn't available as a standalone download. To upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 for free, visit the Microsoft Store from the Windows 8 computer you want to update to 8.1. Microsoft no longer offers Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 for consumer purchase. Windows 8.1 Changes A number of new features and changes were introduced in Windows 8.1. One of the most notable changes in Windows 8.1 is the ability to configure Windows 8 to boot straight to the desktop, skipping the Start screen completely. See our article How to Boot to the Desktop in Windows 8.1 for instructions on doing this. Below are some additional changes you might notice: Introduces a Start button (not a Start Menu). Allows booting directly to the Desktop. Improves integrated search. Includes Internet Explorer 11. Updates PC Settings to include everything found in Control Panel. Allows greater customization of Start screen app tiles. Adds several additional personalization options. Improves built-in apps. Includes support for 3D printing. More About Windows 8.1 The following tutorials may be particularly useful if you're new to Windows 8 as of the 8.1 updates, or if you're having some trouble during your upgrade to Windows 8.1: How to Clean Install Windows 8.1 How to Install Windows 8.1 From a USB Device How to Open Command Prompt in Windows 8.1 How to Open Control Panel in Windows 8.1 How to Shutdown Windows 8.1 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up! Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit