Tech: Windows 8.1 Hits RTM, Aims to Win Back Customers

James Maslow

Quote:

Start Button, boot to desktop, tile tweaking, tutorials, and many other changes look to win back customers

It's a time of turbulence for Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), the world's largest PC operating system maker. Amidst many struggles, Microsoft's ebullient leader Steve Ballmer announced that he will be stepping down during the next year, a somewhat unintended departure that his critics have long been clamoring for.

I. Ballmer's Bane Revisited

While Windows Vista may be Mr. Ballmer's greatest disappointment, the driving force behind his departure was arguably Windows 8.

Windows 8 started off a promising concept, but fell victim to a myriad of flaws and shortcomings, which have led to the biggest percentage drop in PC sales ever. One major issue was the scope of the redesign -- Microsoft dropped a very new and different interface on consumers with the graphically rich "Modern UI" (aka Metro) homepage and a slew of new multi-touch gestures. Where other similarly complex OSs such as Android include a built-in tutorial that helps teach users how to use the new UI, Windows 8 had no such tutorial. As a result many customers wrote Windows 8 off quickly, "downgrading" to Windows 7.

Other critical flaws in Windows 8 include Microsoft's inability to enforce its intended touchscreen requirement -- a critical pillar of the optimal Windows 8 consumer experience -- and Microsoft's unwillingness to listen to customers who wanted a backup traditional Start Button/Start Menu when in Desktop Mode.

Even as Mr. Ballmer prepares his exit, his company is aiming to fix some of its Windows 8 misses with Windows 8.1.

Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 RT hit Release to Manufacturing (RTM) on Wednesday. The OS will be released consumers on Oct. 18 as a free update for all Windows 8 users.

II. Windows 8.1 Aims to Turn Around Windows 8 Flop

The RTM build should pack a near complete feature set -- include the aforementioned missing tutorials and Start Button. While not the Start Button that some consumers were hoping for, the new Start Button hovers familiarly in the lower left-hand corner, allowing you to quickly flip into and out of the Modern UI -- essentially an unrolled Start Menu -- with a click. Windows 8.1 also restores the ability to boot to desktop -- rather than the Modern UI Homepage.

It also integrates numerous other improvements, including unified themes; new Modern UI core apps; the ability to unpin, group move, and resize tiles at will; and an improved Windows Store.

Windows 8.1 Preview

Microsoft has taken a gamble by putting the people behind Windows 8 and its mobile twin Windows Phone 8 in key positions of leadership, during the recent executive shakeup. This is a clear testimony to the fact that while Mr. Ballmer may be being shuffled out the door, Microsoft's Board of Directors believes the company was headed in the right direction with Windows 8 and merely failed on the delivery.

Windows 7, Microsoft's greatest sales success, was born out of the ashes of the poorly received Windows Vista. Likewise Microsoft is looking to hone the sooty carbon of Windows 8 into a diamond with Windows 8.1. Windows 8.1 RTM is the last major milestone in that pre-release refinement process.

Source

Coming for Apple's wig, tbh

C/H/A/N/E/L

They literally just added a start button.

Windows 8 belongs on a phone more than a computer. That's why I prefer Windows 7; it seems fit for a computer.

Smartypants

Windows 8 >>

The OS is simply beautiful.

monster of ɢαɢα

Quote:

Originally posted by Smartypants

Windows 8 >>

The OS is simply beautiful.

I have both 7 and 8 and I love them both.

Ares

Windows 7 was perfect. 8 is just kinda messy.

missy

I can't believe they put out Windows 8 without a tutorial. Totally overestimated the intelligence of their target markets. Good that they're putting it in now. I would be willing to bet quite a bit that people are going to be like "OH MY GOD THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER" but ... really all they did was shift the clickable area to access the Start menu like 1cm to the right. Not that it's entirely the users fault, that wasn't exactly the most intuitive move by Microsoft. Boot to desktop isn't a terrible idea, but I kind of like having everything in my face when I start up. I didn't at first tho - but no one likes change.

I love Windows 8 though. I use a Windows 7 laptop constantly throughout the day and switch to 8 at night and it's so goddamn irritating because I keep forgetting it doesn't have the charms sidebar. I just sit there bouncing my mouse up and down in the top right corner for a bit wondering what I'm doing wrong everysingletime I want to shut down/search for something and it's making me associate anger with 7. I don't know how a system that I've been using for 8 months has overriden like 10 years of Windows start button experience, but 8 has become so natural to me even tho I use it less?

Plus, compatibility mode. Everything that works on 7 works on 8 too. Just people that were really early adopters were punished a little bit because manufacturers took their time to optimize their drivers. I have a jumbled MESS of a build and the last time I reinstalled 8, it even installed my ancient 2003 video card without complaint. First time I installed it though... did not do that. Thanks Nvidia.

RastaMentality

I wonder when all OS updates are gonna be free.

BBathHausOfGaga

They added back the start... button.

, the only good thing is boot to desktop but that still won't save it.

iV•X

Still not here for it..i tried it on my Mac as a separate OS partition..and god that thing is head ache. It's such nuisance and difficult to get accustom to after 5 months!

No start button adds to the frustration. Using my computer has now become a punishment instead of a recreational activity.. I just switch back to my sexy mountain lion. god bless you windows 8 users hearts cause I would be ripping my hair out if had to use this OS on a daily basis but the user interface is very appealing to the eyes, crisp, clean, minimal (too minimal) but not user friendly IMO esp if you've been using windows PC for years.

ManDown

I love Windows 8 so much. It's my all time favorite. It's nice to be able to flip through the start screen and be able to have different features hidden, but easily accessible at the same time. Microsoft should have provided tutorials and promoted it more than they did. It just kind of came out of nowhere, and casual users didn't know how to use it. And the lack of apps makes it hard to fully enjoy it.

Frozen99

I like my W8

DvnR

I dunno why people hate on Windows 8 tbh, I think it's just as good if not better than Windows 7.

James Maslow

Quote:

Originally posted by DvnR

I dunno why people hate on Windows 8 tbh, I think it's just as good if not better than Windows 7.

I know, right

Bayonsay

Mess at them just adding a start button. I can't with them trying to be slick with this panel ****. I don't use that, everything was fine in W7, I like the taskbar, desktop icons and the start button. W8 is only good on touchscreen computers tbh.

BBathHausOfGaga

Do y'all think windows 8 on a desktop is cute?

Jameson Teqkilla

Quote:

Originally posted by DvnR

I dunno why people hate on Windows 8 tbh, I think it's just as good if not better than Windows 7.

!!

Putting the button back will make people complain less hopefully