Your Thoughts on the Windows 8.1 Preview

[Graven Pshya]

Most of you may know that the Windows 8.1 Preview just went live for download today. I wanted to get some of your thoughts on the preview. Is it what you expected? Or maybe it's not that big of an update to you?

I'm personally using the Pro Preview and I'm still looking at what's actually different in this version, but I'll update as I get snooping around.

For those of you that want to get it and learn more about it can go to the official Microsoft page here and/or visit the WP Central article regarding the list updates presented in 8.1 here.

 

[Jaskys]

Still waiting for a godamn update to appear...

 

[Tafsern]

I really need to know something before I upgrade to preview.

I currently have Windows 8 Pro btw, and it's my main computer.

1. If I upgrade, will my programs (not apps) still be there? Like Steam (including games etc.), Photoshop and so on.
2. If I upgrade, will it be possible to upgrade to the final version of W8.1 when it comes (while not beeing charged, since I already bought 8.0 Pro)

 

[qwe123878]

Still waiting for a godamn update to appear...

did you go to the win8.1 preview page to install the "update updater", lol donno what would you call it. The 8.1 preview won't just appear if you did not install that.

 

[qwe123878]

I really need to know something before I upgrade to preview.

I currently have Windows 8 Pro btw, and it's my main computer.

1. If I upgrade, will my programs (not apps) still be there? Like Steam (including games etc.), Photoshop and so on.
2. If I upgrade, will it be possible to upgrade to the final version of W8.1 when it comes (while not beeing charged, since I already bought 8.0 Pro)

1. Everything will be there, if you decide to upgrade from 8 pro to 8.1 preview.
2. Yes, you are able to upgrade from 8.1 preview to the final rtm 8.1, but you will lose all the programs you installed(desktop and modern ones). The upgrade is free, you can find that on the 8.1 preview page.

 

[neo158]

If I could get the pre requisite update to install I'd tell you, unfortunately on both my desktop and Surface RT it won't install.

 

[Jaskys]

Yep i installed it, but what then? There's nothing, no proper guide, no notification no changes in windows.
It seems that lil file is useless.

 

[ibbyj]

I am very happy with the new features, and think it is good update to an already great OS.

 

[Muessig]

How are you all installing the preview? I can't download the ISO files yet... is it possible to do a clean install with the preview or is it treated like an OS upgrade?

 

[cmscritic]

On my surface, I went to Download Windows 8.1 Preview - Microsoft Windows and was given the option to "get the update".. I downloaded and installed it, rebooted as instructed and once I got logged back in, received a popup message telling me to visit the store to get the 8.1 preview, which I did. It's now downloading.

I noticed that when I went to this page on a machine other than my surface, I got a "iso files not available yet" message.

 

[crash1989]

It is a preview so I ask the guys who used it to please post back if it is stable, I use my Win8 as my primary device.

 

[Laura Knotek]

1. Everything will be there, if you decide to upgrade from 8 pro to 8.1 preview.
2. Yes, you are able to upgrade from 8.1 preview to the final rtm 8.1, but you will lose all the programs you installed(desktop and modern ones). The upgrade is free, you can find that on the 8.1 preview page.

Is it possible to get it as a clean install not an update?

I'd like to install it in a virtual machine while keeping my regular Windows 8.

 

[jhoff80]

Is it possible to get it as a clean install not an update?

I'd like to install it in a virtual machine while keeping my regular Windows 8.

Not yet (officially at least). The ISOs are on TechNet, but not available for public download yet. But in the next day or so, they will be making an ISO available to all.

 

[dwigfor]

2a) If I wait until the official Windows 8.1 release, when I upgrade, will I still lose all the programs installed (desktop and modern)? Is that only if I first install the preview release?

 

[brianLTE]

An amazing update IMO. I have to poke around some more to get more of a grasp of what's changed.

It was a pleasant surprise to have all my apps still there after the update. I was expecting to reinstall everything.

 

[inteller]

as Ballmer first stated, this point upgrade can best be defined as "refining the blend".

 

[Muessig]

Just a heads up. Some people are trying to install the preview and getting an error message: "Windows Update Standalone Installer: This update is not suitable for your computer." If you're seeing this and can't understand why the preview won't install it's because your computer is set to language en-gb. To install, it must be set to en-us.

 

[Graven Pshya]

An amazing update IMO. I have to poke around some more to get more of a grasp of what's changed.

It was a pleasant surprise to have all my apps still there after the update. I was expecting to reinstall everything.

I had work right towards the end of the install. ;/ I'm really stoked to get off and snoop around lol.

 

[brianLTE]

Anyone having issues restarting after install? Mine keeps getting stuck.

Edit: fixed

 

[smeshko]

Did anybody manag to install the update ? I'm stuck at pending for about 2 hours now. And can anyone confirm that all desktop apps get deleted ?