Windows 8.1 will start to roll out to the world tomorrow – are you ready to grab it?

Microsoft's latest upgrade to their Windows eight operating organization will begin to hit user machines within the next 12 hours – and information technology is ready to pack a punch.

Are you ready for the upgrade? Do yous take a few questions on how to get information technology? No worries, check below for a crash form in Windows 8.ane then exist sure to tune in as we release our full Windows 8.1 review in the coming calendar week.

How exercise I go Windows viii.1 onto my machine?

If yous are already running Windows 8, then all you demand to practice is sit back and relax. The update can exist picked upwards gratis of accuse via the Windows Store.

If you aren't already running Windows eight, you have two options every bit of at present. You tin can grab a re-create of Windows 8 at your favorite retail store and wait for the update to striking shortly, or you tin preorder a copy of Windows 8.1 then receive it October 18^thursday (a day after everyone else). Currently, Amazon.com offers a preorder of Windows viii.one for $119.99.

How will logging into my motorcar change?

The merely difference you will notice when logging into your Windows 8.1 motorcar, is that you now have the selection to swipe down to quickly access the photographic camera. Likewise that – all is the same.

How will my Windows Beginning screen alter?

The biggest change to the Windows Start screen will be the ability to easily resize and organize your tiles. Programme tiles at present accept a various option of sizes including small, medium, wide, and big. Non all apps support being pinned in "large" mode, but some apps like Microsoft's Atmospheric condition app brand great use of it. Overall, the small tiles should allow you to create a cleaner Outset screen feel.

Microsoft has also introduced more personalization for the Start screen including a collection of new background with two color scheme adjustment and the ability to show your current desktop wallpaper for a less jarring experience when switching between the legacy desktop and the Windows 8.1 Start screen. These settings can exist adapted past opening the charms bar while on the Start screen and selecting "settings". Users likewise have the option to display their tiles in large or smaller columns – this setting can also be accessed via the charms bar.

1 last addition to the Start screen now includes the ability to swipe up and reveal the list of all currently installed programs on your PC – both Windows 8 and Windows legacy software.

How will my legacy desktop alter?

The desktop volition stay the same for the most part. Microsoft has returned a Kickoff push button to the lower left hand corner of the screen (where it has sat for ages), only it no longer brings up a menu with access to your favorite files and programs. Instead, the Start push button at present brings users to the Start screen (AKA: Windows viii mode).

Users now accept the option to boot straight to the desktop and featherbed seeing the Beginning screen. The offset time Windows 8.1 starts upwardly information technology will check to run across if you accept a touchscreen device – if not, you lot will be asked if you desire to featherbed the Starting time screen. If y'all accidently clicked the incorrect box or if you lot do have a bear upon screen, only still want to boot directly to the desktop, you can right click the Windows taskbar, select properties, and then make the adjustments you want.

Yous also accept the power to have the Start button bring you directly to your listing of Installed Software, instead of the Start screen; this adjustment can also be fabricated past right clicking the Windows taskbar and selecting properties.

How will using my Windows 8.1 PC modify?

For the virtually role, your mean solar day to solar day use of your PC will stay the same. Microsoft has included the ability to go beyond snapping two applications 50/fifty next to each other, but developers must take advantage of this adequacy (many already have). This is a great step up and we are excited for those with a demand to multitask.

Search has also been enhanced profoundly and at present features a mode to universally search across your PC and the web at the same time. In Windows viii.ane, simply start typing on the Get-go screen and hit "Enter"; you will be immersed in a "deep search" experience that pulls data from every corner of your PC. No more than selecting the individual app then starting your search. And of course, the spider web search is powered by no other service than Microsoft'southward Bing.

One of the last and near important new integrated features is built in SkyDrive. You volition now accept the selection to save your files to your computers own local storage or save to Microsoft's deject. We, at Windows Phone Fundamental, dear and highly recommend SkyDrive to our readers. I currently pay $50 a year for 57 GB of online storage (y'all go vii GB gratuitous) and at that place is no better solution because SkyDrive is tied into Windows at the operating system level. Those of you who accept not yet tried SkyDrive should give it a get – those of you already using SkyDrive will welcome the deep integration that Windows eight.1 brings to the table.

Volition I go whatever new applications with my upgrade?

Windows 8.ane offers a collection of new apps from Microsoft including a Bing cooking application which tin hands switch between pages of a recipe by seeing the movie of your hand in the air.

Microsoft is besides offering other small pieces of software including an improved estimator, new "Read It Later" app for keeping stories you find on the web, a new alert app, and a new app to record sound.

On a larger scale, Microsoft has launched and improved upon four new applications: Camera, Photos, Movie Moments, and Fresh Paint. These iv applications will allow you to easily manage your media and create new content. For a more detailed look at Microsoft'southward reveal of these applications, check out our reporting from earlier today.

Microsoft has also included a new help and support application to get new users more comfortable with using the new operating system (via impact or mouse). This is a welcomed add-on that should have been present in the original launch of Windows 8.

Lastly, Skype will be coming preinstalled on Windows 8.1 installs – there is no running away from what Microsoft hopes to exist a chief stream of communication for the hereafter. That being said, the application works nicely and we are quite happy with it (although, conference call features tin can be improved upon).

Anything else?

Windows eight.1 will of course include a collection of new drivers, new hardware compatibility, and expanded wireless communication. Ane feature we all won't all be able to use, only is present inside Windows viii.1, is the operating arrangement's native ability to print to 3D printers.

We'll keep an eye on things and written report any surprises that may come to light with the eight.1 update. Feel free to visit the Windows 8 forums to chat information technology upwardly and share your update experiences.

Alright everyone, become to bed and get out your PC on. If you don't fall asleep, Steve Ballmer won't be able to come up in the middle of the dark and install Windows viii.1. Also, don't forget to leave out cookies and milk.

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