Today is the day…the day you can upgrade your computer to Windows 8.1…that is if your computer is already running Windows 8. If not, your big day to upgrade starts tomorrow. To upgrade your Windows 8 computer, you can only do it through the Windows Store.
I did that earlier today and my laptop is now running 8.1…not that I see a whole lot of difference. But, I will give it a fair chance and let you know. If you are going to upgrade, the whole process takes about two hours. So get a cup of coffee, a good book, and get ‘er done!
To quote an article below, the best thing you can do with your new Windows 8 installation is the following:
“If you're smart, you'll immediately go in and make the changes necessary to defang the new version: use local accounts; turn off SmartSearch; turn off Automatic Update; rebuild your libraries if need be; set to boot to desktop; disable the Metro hot corners on the desktop; install apps that will keep you out of Metro Hell (VLC media player, one of the PDF viewers, IrfanView); and install a third-party Start menu replacement.”
All good advice. Remember, Windows 8 has a split personality…a regular desktop mode and the so called Metro Apps. I personally only use the desktop portion of Windows 8. I did try and access two Metro apps today and I found them slow and not worth much. But, as I said, I will give it a fair shot. More later.
Most of this blog contains good info about Windows 8. If you don’t use it and don’t plan to upgrade, you can skip over this…OR, you can save this blog for future reference…because sooner or later, you will be running Windows 8. Your next computer will come equipped with it, like it or not, so save this blog to help you deal with it.
The most helpful add-on for Win 8 is Start8 from Stardock.com. This $5 program returns the Windows Start Menu to Windows 8 so it works like Windows 7. Another free program that does the same thing is Classic Shell. A review of that program is included below.
Not to deviate too far from my normal blog, I included a few other non-Windows stories at the end so don’t miss those. Well have fun, if your upgrading. -JRC
Windows 8.1 is here: Can it win over skeptical PC buyers?
Microsoft's ambitious Windows 8.1 release faces a daunting challenge: rehabilitating the tarnished image of its predecessor and convincing wary consumers and enterprise customers that new Windows-powered hardware is still a smart choice.
Microsoft Windows 8.1 is Here: Should you Upgrade?
Let’s get this out of the way up front: Windows 8.1 is not going to change how you feel about Microsoft's current PC operating system. If you were looking for radical overhaul of 2012’s Windows 8, or a retro throwback to Windows 7, this isn't it.
Windows 8.1 review
With Windows 8.1, a free update designed to address some of its users’ concerns and enable a faster pace of Windows releases, Microsoft tries to bridge the gap between old and new, between mouse and touchscreen.
The new features you need to know about in Windows 8.1
Microsoft's update to its Windows operating system delivers a handful of new features. These tips and tricks will help you get started.
Dozens of apps updated for Windows 8.1 rollout
Updates are available immediately in the Windows Store for those using the final version of Windows 8.1, and they appear to be largely performance-related changes.
The desktop lover's guide to supercharging Windows 8.1
Don't like the Metro interface? Here's the best way to banish it and boost your productivity.
Classic Shell 4.0 review: Free utility restores the full Start menu that Windows 8.1 didn't
This powerful free utility adds the features back to Windows 8 and 8.1 that Microsoft should never have taken out.
Beyond Windows 8.1
With Windows 8.1 now generally available, focus shifts to fixing the mess Steve Sinofsky left behind
Microsoft’s stock slumped under Steve Ballmer
When Ballmer became CEO, Microsoft had a market value of $604 billion. Now, Microsoft’s market value is $269 billion, less than half of its value when Ballmer came to power.
Google to support Windows XP a year longer than Microsoft
Microsoft has decided to abandon support for the archaic operating system on April 8, 2014. Google, on the other hand, has decided to keep supporting Microsoft’s leftovers with Chrome until at least April 2015.
Intel says get ready for $99 tablets, $299 Haswell notebooks, $349 2-in-1 hybrids
Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich says that he expects OEMs to push prices down over the coming weeks, and that this will result in $99 tablets, $299 Haswell laptops, and $349 2-in-1 hybrid tablets and notebooks.
5 Best Read-It-Later Apps
Read-it-later apps have enjoyed a huge jump in popularity as of late, and for good reason — they allow us to prioritize our time, and choose when and where we want to catch up on the latest news.
Get Organized: How to Download Your Facebook Photos
If you're like most people, many of you pictures live only on Facebook—maybe even most of them. Here's how to download and start organizing your Facebook photos.
Protect yourself from the next big data breach
Huge online attacks, such as the recent Adobe break-in, bring to mind a pressing question: What should we do if our credit-card data or sign-in credentials are stolen? Plus, what steps will help minimize future exposures when large corporate sites are cracked.
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