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Authentic Microsoft operating system for PC or Mac

Authentic Microsoft operating system for PC or Mac

Vote: (1,144 votes)

Program license: Trial version

Developer: Microsoft

Version: 6.3.9600.16384

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(1,144 votes)

Trial version

Developer

Version

Microsoft

6.3.9600.16384

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Works much better than its Windows 8 predecessor.
  • You don't have to reinstall everything after you have upgraded.

Cons

  • If you choose to download Windows 8.1 from Windows XP or Windows 7, you will first have to download Windows 8.

Windows 8.1 is the predecessor of Windows 10, but the software has now become one of the most freely downloadable defaults for the Microsoft operating system. Windows 8.1 takes everything that was wrong with Windows 8 and cuts it out. Meanwhile, it takes everything Windows 8 did right and improves it.

What Can You Look Forward To?

Whether you're surfing your updates on Facebook or looking at the the full-featured mail app with a more modern Outlook, everything on Windows 8.1 looks better than ever before. In fact, you have the most modern version of Internet Explorer 11, and you have a new Windows Scan app, where you will have access to all the best access that was teased back in 2013. Unfortunately, we're still left waiting for the touch version of the Office app, but that's how it goes within the "Continuous development" world of Microsoft.

Changes to the Interface and Skydrive

With the latest system, we have seen how SkyDrive has been built to sync with the files of both Windows 8.1 RT and Windows 8.1. You can choose the setting that you find the most preferable and look at the layout of the start screen and the desktop taskbar. We have found a lot more modern apps in Windows 8.1 than what we had in Windows 8, and you have more settings that you can change without the need to jump over to the desktop for the more advanced options because it works off how you position the modern apps on the screen.

About the Installation of Windows 8.1

If you have already downloaded Windows 8, then downloading Windows 8.1 will be fairly straightforward. It's the first app you see each time you have opened the Windows Store, and the installation is fairly quick and painless compared to the upgrade from 8.1 to Windows 10. For example, you won't have to reinstall all your desktop applications or the Windows Store apps after you have downloaded it. Everything remains in place, and all the files that you need the most will still be there.

Signing in with Microsoft Account You Haven't Used Before

If you decide to sign in with a different Microsoft account or one that you haven't used before, you may have to enter a code from either a text or email to confirm that the download has come from you. Luckily, you don't have to do any of this as a separate step, but if you have Windows 7 or one of the earlier versions, you will need to first install Windows 8 before you can upgrade, which can be a little obnoxious when you're trying to get to Windows 8.1.

Pros

  • Works much better than its Windows 8 predecessor.
  • You don't have to reinstall everything after you have upgraded.

Cons

  • If you choose to download Windows 8.1 from Windows XP or Windows 7, you will first have to download Windows 8.