Windows 8.1
personal computer operating system by Microsoft
Windows 8.1 is a version of Microsoft Windows and the second version of Windows 8.x. It was released on October 17, 2013, the same day as Windows Server 2012 R2. It is a new version of the Windows NT 6.x line, since it changes the version number from 6.2 to 6.3. It is a free update for Windows 8 that can be found in the Windows Store. When Windows 10 was released, Windows 8.1 could be upgraded to Windows 10 for free.
A version of the Windows NT operating system | |
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![]() Default Windows 8.1 start screen. | |
Developer | Microsoft |
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OS family | Microsoft Windows |
Source model | |
Released to manufacturing | August 27, 2013[1] |
General availability | October 17, 2013[2] |
Latest release | 6.3.9600 / April 8, 2014[3] |
Update method | Windows Update, Windows Store, Windows Server Update Services |
Platforms | IA-32, x64 |
Kernel type | Hybrid |
License | Trialware, Microsoft Software Assurance, MSDN subscription, Microsoft Imagine |
Preceded by | Windows 8 (2012) |
Succeeded by | Windows 10 (2015) |
Official website | www |
Support status | |
All editions except Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry:
Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry: |
FeaturesEdit
The important new features are:
- The Start button, instead of pointing at the bottom left corner of the taskbar
- Internet Explorer 11
- support for 3D printing
- Wi-Fi Direct
ReferencesEdit
- ↑ Bott, Ed (28 August 2013). "Why is Microsoft keeping the final release of Windows 8.1 secret?". ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
- ↑ LeBlanc, Brandon (17 October 2013). "Windows 8.1 now available!". Windows Experience Blog. Microsoft.
- ↑ "Why I love today's Windows 8.1 Update". Windows Experience Blog. April 8, 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Product lifecycle Windows 8.1 Industry". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 21, 2020.