How To Windows Microsoft Windows 8.1 Everything you need to know about Microsoft Windows 8.1 Share Pin Email Print Drew Angerer / Getty Images Windows Basics Guides & Tutorials Installing & Upgrading Tips & Tricks Key Concepts by Tim Fisher Tim Fisher has 30+ years' professional technology support experience. He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire. Updated February 14, 2019 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. For basic Windows 8 & 8.1 information, like system requirements, see Windows 8: Important Facts. 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. Windows 8.1 Release Date 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 10 is currently the most recent version of Windows available. Microsoft is not 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 is not available as a standalone download. To upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 for free, visit the Windows Store from the Windows 8 computer you want to update to 8.1. See How To Update to Windows 8.1 for a complete tutorial. 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 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 DesktopIntegrates SkyDrive (now called OneDrive)Improves integrated searchIncludes Internet Explorer 11Updates PC Settings to include everything found in Control PanelAllows greater customization of Start screen app tilesAdds several additional personalization optionsImproves built-in appsIncludes support for 3D printing More About Windows 8.1 The following tutorials ones may be particularly useful if you're new to Windows 8 as of the 8.1 update, or if you're having some trouble during your upgrade to Windows 8.1: How To Clean Install Windows 8.1How To Install Windows 8.1 From a USB DeviceHow To Open Command Prompt in Windows 8.1How To Open Control Panel in Windows 8.1How To Shutdown Windows 8.1 Continue Reading