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Windows Blue will be Called Windows 8.1 and will be a Free Update to Windows 8

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Yesterday we shared some information about the new Windows Blue OS. We told you that Windows Blue is a codename of the upcoming Windows version Windows 8.1. We also told you that Windows 8.1 will try to fix issues and will introduce new features and Metro apps in Windows 8.

Everything You Want to Know About Windows 8.1 Codenamed Blue, Free Public Preview in June

At the time of writing the above topic, there were rumors that Windows 8.1 might be a free update for Windows 8 users but there was no official confirmation from Microsoft.

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Today Microsoft has officially announced at Windows blog that Windows Blue will be called Windows 8.1 and will be a FREE update for existing Windows 8 users and will be available through Windows Store.

Windows_Blue_Logo.png

Microsoft also announced that the company will release a free Public Preview build of Windows 8.1. aka Windows Blue on 26 June 2013 at BUILD developer conference in San Francisco.

The Public Preview of Windows 8.1 will be released for both Windows 8 and Windows RT users.

The final RTM version of Windows 8.1 will be released at the end of this year. It might release to market in October 2013.

Let us tell you again, Windows 8.1 will provide more customization options for Start Screen, Lock Screen, etc. It’ll also provide new touch screen gestures to make touch screen users experience better and easier. It’ll also feature better and improved snap functionality. You’ll also get some new metro apps such as Alarm, Calculator, Sound Recorder, etc in Windows 8.1.

So Windows 8.1 will be a must have update for Windows 8 and Windows RT users. Let’s wait for the Public Preview build which is going to release next month.

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Published in: Windows 8

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

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Comments

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  2. I hope that they’ll bring back the Side Bar Gadgets because many of us have gotten accustomed with it.
    And lets hop that they also bring back the windows start Orb i.e. the Start Menu.

    Hi Vishal get well quickly buddy. I’ve lifted you up in my prayers and will remember you in my prayers ’til you get well.

    Sincerely,
    James

  4. Thanks again guys for your wishes. 🙂

    @James
    Start button will be back in Windows 8.1, not 100% sure but there are rumors that Microsoft will add Start button which will launch Start Screen upon clicking. Forget sidebar gadgets because Start Screen apps were developed to replace sidebar gadgets.

    @bandhan islam
    Most probably yes.

  5. This is not a new OS, it is just a service pack disguised under a different name to appear that MS cares about its customers.

  6. Hey VG! I saw in the past posts that you are suffering with RSI. Are you already better?
    This is a terrible disease that afflicts all of us who stayed in front of a computer doing repetitive movements, hope you recover soon. Take care of yourself. 🙂

  7. ^^ Thanks. I’m still suffering from the problem. If I work on computer for 1 or 2 hours without any break, my hand and fingers start paining a lot.

  8. Hey VG , nice to see you back buddy .

    It seems that Microsoft is releasing the first major update to Windows 8 . I hope that Microsoft adds the Aero Transparency Back to the OS . Apps In Windows 8 Look Awful Without Aero and the round corners

  10. But Why Is Microsoft Doing that? It’d been a favorite feature of users in Windows 7.. Or else if they want faster booting , they should disable aero by default but should provide an option to enable it…

  11. Will the updated windows be better to look at?
    have they got rid of the white on white or the grey on white
    \i hate it! I prefer to use vista!
    thankyou for your post

  12. This is bad, aero transparency is what all i have been waiting for…. this is not worth for it….

  13. If Aero Transparency does not return , i’m not to install 8.1 update…. Hey VG , by the way there is one app by Bigmuscle @ msfn to return aero transparency in windows 8 …. This app is worth it….. Just try it out and post an article about this on your website….

    Link -> msfn.org/board/topic/162036-aero-glass-tweaker-gui-for-win8-v132/

    Although the app is in beta … but still is good

  14. I must be one of the few people in the world that likes Win 8 exactly as it is. I run it on a desktop without Metro, and I don’t miss the start orb. So, I’m not even going to bother with the 8.1 update. I do, however, hope that 8.1 fixes the issues that most users are not happy with. MS has really made some great improvements to the system. It would be a shame for the rest of the Windows users to miss out on how much better it is than Win 7.

  16. For those who love performance more than the eye candy,Windows 8 is better than 7.
    It is fast and fluid.Boot times are considerably reduced.

  18. i do have regional activated version windows 8 pro i do pay it at 300 us dollar from one of my relation persons do i have to pay more to update adding future to windows answer me thank you i need more support to my PC diagnosing

  20. in my pc i faced window failling follwing hard ware scanning and changing but how can i correct it with out instalation disc and configeration file can i correct it in my cell phone by connecting USB cable

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