Windows 8.1 Direct Download

by StockArt on February 13, 2014 in Full ISO, Operating System, Software, Windows, windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 is an update of the Windows 8 operating system. First unveiled and released as a public beta in June 2013, 8.1 wasreleased to manufacturing on August 27, 2013, and hit general availability on October 17, 2013—almost a year since the original, retail release of 8. 8.1 is available as a free update for existing Windows 8 and Windows RT users via Windows Store, but unlike the service packs of previous versions of Windows, it is not distributed through Windows Update, and users who obtained 8 outside of retail copies or pre-loaded installations (i.e. volume licensing) must obtain 8.1 through new installation media from their respective subscription or enterprise channel. As with previous service packs, installation of 8.1 will be required to maintain access to Windows 8's mainstream support after January 12, 2016, per Microsoft's software lifecycle policies.^[1]

Released as part of a shift by Microsoft towards regular, yearly updates for its platforms and services, Windows 8.1 was primarily intended to address complaints which Windows 8 faced from users and reviewers on launch. Visible enhancements includes an upgraded Start screen, additional snap views, additional bundled apps, tighter SkyDrive integration, Internet Explorer 11, a Bing-powered unified search system, restoration of a visible Start button on the taskbar to open the Start screen, and the ability to restore the previous behavior of opening the user's desktop on login instead of the Start screen. Windows 8.1 also added support for emerging technologies such as high resolution displays, 3D printing, Wi-Fi Direct, and Miracast streaming.

Windows 8.1 received relatively positive reception, with critics praising the expanded functionality available to apps in comparison to 8, its SkyDrive integration, along with its user interface tweaks and the addition of expanded tutorials for operating the Windows 8 interface. Despite these improvements, 8.1 was still panned for not addressing all of the digressions of 8 (such as a poor level of integration between Metro-style apps and the desktop interface), and the potential privacy implications of 8.1's expanded use of online services.

User interface and desktop[edit]

The Start screen received several enhancements on 8.1, including an extended "All Apps" view with sort modes (accessed by clicking a new down arrow button or swiping upward), small and extra-large sizes for tiles, and colored tiles for desktop program shortcuts. Additional customization options were also added, such as expanded color options, new backgrounds (some of which incorporating animated elements), and the ability for the Start screen to use the desktop background instead. Applications are no longer added to the Start screen automatically when installed, and all applications now have colored tiles (desktop programs were previously shown in a single color). The app snapping system has also been extended; up to 4 apps can be snapped onto a single display depending on screen size, apps can be snapped to fill half the screen, and can also be used on any display in a multi-monitor configuration. Apps can also launch other apps in a snapped view to display content; for example, the Mail app can open a photo attachment in a picture viewer snapped to another half of the screen. Improved support is also provided by apps for using devices in a portrait (vertical) orientation. The lock screen offers the ability to use a photo slideshow as its backdrop, and a shortcut to the Camera app by swiping up. The on-screen keyboard has an improved autocomplete mechanism which displays multiple word suggestions, and allows users to select from them by sliding on the spacebar. The autocomplete dictionary is also automatically updated using data from Bing, allowing it to recognize and suggest words relating to current trends and events.^[36]^[37] Similarly to Windows Phone, certain apps now display a narrow bar with three dots on it to indicate the presence of a pop-up menu accessible by swiping, clicking on the dots, or right-clicking.^[38]

To improve the usability of the desktop interface, a visible Start button was restored to the taskbar for opening the Start screen, and the Quick Links menu (accessed by right-clicking the Start button or pressing ⌘ Win+X) now contains shutdown and sign-out options. Users can also modify certain user interace behaviors, such as disabling the upper hot corners for using the charms and recent apps list, going to the desktop instead of the Start screen on login or after closing all apps on a screen, automatically opening the "All Apps" view on the Start screen when opened, and prioritizing desktop programs on the "Category" sort mode on "All Apps". To assist users in learning the Windows 8 user interface, an interactive tutorial is also offered, along with a newHelp + Tips app for additional information.^[35]^[39] In contrast, Windows RT 8.1 downplays the desktop interface further by not displaying the Desktop tile on its default Start screen at all (however, it can still be manually added to the Start screen).^[40]