How to Update Windows 8 to 8.1 Update

Windows 8.1 update is officially out and its a recommended update by Microsoft to install on all Windows 8.1 computers and RT devices. If you are already using Windows 8.1 then the update will appear from Windows update in control panel (if it’s set for automatic download and install). For Windows 8 users the update path is slightly different. Here is the step by step guide explains how to update Windows 8 to 8.1 Update.

Do we really need to update Windows 8 OS to 8.1 update? the answer would be ‘YES’.  Earlier Windows 8.1 did not bring much useful features for normal computer users, so that could have been avoided. But the current Windows 8.1 Update is really good and worth installing to get more benefits for desktop/laptop users who use computer mouse mostly. Even it will improve the performance of your computer.

Read more about What’s new on Windows 8.1 update from official site here. Already we have published a guide about the new features we could see straightaway from this update.

Steps to Update Windows 8 to 8.1 Update

1) You must install Windows 8.1 first in order to install the current update on normal Windows 8 computer. Windows 8.1 is a complete free update which can be downloaded and installed from Windows store, follow this step by step guide for it. In case if you do not see the update from Windows store, you may be runningWindows 8 enterprise version, that should be upgraded as shown in this guide.

Confirm the upgrade after installation,

2) Open Windows update from control panel and check for latest updates. You will find severalupdates for Windows 8.1 32 or 64 bit (depending on the installed version). The actual Windows 8.1 Update is KB 2919355 around 800Mb, if you do not see this update number, nothing to worry. Download and install other important Windows updates (make sure KB 2919442 is listed out which required for KB 2919355 update) then restart the PC to take effect.

Again open Windows update and check for updates, I’m sure this time the actual number KB 2919355 around 800Mb will show up, download and install it. After the restart you will be running the latest Windows 8.1 update successfully.

The computer will directly boot into desktop mode and shutdown and search icons would appear next to user name as shown below.

Also you could notice other changes which mentioned earlier.

Windows 8.1 users must install latest KB 2919355 to get further security updates from Microsoft, therefore its not recommended to skip this update for any reasons.

How to Uninstall Windows 8.1 Update

Even though this is a compulsory update, but incase if its giving some trouble due to non compatibility or any issues during the upgrade process or existing applications are misbehaving then you can consider uninstalling it.

Go to Control Panel, Programs and Features select ‘View Installed Updates’ on left top corner which will list out the installed updates on your computer. Look for the update number KB 2919355 and click uninstall.

We expect this guide would be helpful on how to update Windows 8 to 8.1 Update and uninstall it whenever required.

What’s new in Windows 8.1?

Windows 8 certainly had consumers using touch oriented devices happy. However, it failed to make an impact on devices featuring a keyboard and mouse interface, which is the lion’s share of devices using Windows 8. As a result, many were unhappy with the not-so-friendly interface for keyboard and mouse. All apart, Windows 8 is certainly a much more lighter and fluid OS than the Windows 7, not to mention the faster boot time.

Let us scan through the major changes bought about in Windows 8.1

The Savior, the Start Menu

The new version that is Windows 8, comes with what you may call a satisfactory substitute for a start menu placed at the lower left corner of the screen.

The absence of a start menu is one of the biggest nemesis present in Windows 8. The new version that is Windows 8, comes with what you may call a satisfactory substitute for a start menu placed at the lower left corner of the screen. A left click on it will cause a start menu to pop up, you can run or search applications by typing there. It is not the same start menu we saw in Windows 7. Right clicking on it will lead to shortcuts to the Control Panel, Search, Task Manager and other system tools.

Boot directly to Desktop

Another irritating aspect of Windows 8 is booting leads you to the metro tiled menu but not to your desktop. What user did not like is pressing the windows key every time to switch to desktop. Windows 8.1 has the solution, with an ability to boot directly to desktop.

Xbox Music Redesigned

Xbox Music gets a more refined interface. The left panel allows you to surf different artists and play songs from your playlist and the right panel lets you stream content, watch videos etc.

Snap View function

Now run more apps simultaneously on the same screen. Run up to 4 apps at once provided you have enough screen resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels). You can even connect another monitor to run around 8 apps at once.

Upgraded Search Bar

The search bar has been spiced up with new features. Now get universal results from files, SkyDrive, apps and web. You can also play music directly from the search bar. On searching artists, it provides all their albums on the right panel and a large photo of the artist on the left.

Personalization

Now personalize the Start Screen and Lock screen through a variety of colours and themes available. This basically let’s you customize your desktop to your liking.

Improved Camera App

Now, the camera app is not the same bogus app that was used just to crop pictures, it now comes loaded with photo editing tools too.

New Windows Store App

The market looks much more pleasing than before with precisely spaced tiles.

Overall, the Windows 8.1 may not be a giant leap from the previous version, but it is definitely a step closer to making user experience better on non touch devices.

Sources: CNET and official windows website