Earlier Microsoft announced that Windows 8.1 will be released on June 26. According that Microsoft has released the Windows 8.1 Preview yesterday. Now You can download the Windows 8.1 preview to feel the new features and enhancements from Windows 8.
Also Read: Internet Explorer 11; What is New and Features, Download
Widows 8.1 Download
Windows 8.1 is the free update to all Windows 8 users which will be released later this year. Before that Windows 8 users can test Windows 8.1 using the preview version of it. If you’re using an English version of Windows, you can only install Windows 8.1 Preview from the Windows Store if your OS base language is English (US). You may be required to reboot after the update.
You can also visit Microsoft Windows 8.1 preview page to download the standalone version. Keep in mind that preview version is not General public use, it is intended for the Developers and Beta testers. So please be careful before installing it your computer. Before that Create USB Recovery Disc for Windows 8 so that you can go back to Windows 8 if you wanted to.
Enterprise and Volume License Windows 8 users should have to download the Windows 8.1 ISO Files. But currently the ISO Files are not available. Though you can subscribe there for the ISO file updates.
Windows 8.1 Preview System requirements
Windows 8.1 Preview works great on the same hardware that powers Windows 8:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
- RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
- Free hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- Graphics card: MicrosoftDirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver
Windows 8.1 Preview Product key
Windows 8.1 Preview doesn’t need product key, if you install it from Windows store. If you download the Windows 8.1 ISO File, you need Product Key: NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F. Also note that ISO File is only available for Technet and MSDN Subscribers.
Windows 8.1 Features
The Windows 8.1 has the new improved lock screen that can display the college of photos from your computer and SkyDrive account. If you want this new feature in current Windows 8 Read this post.
The Start screen apps can be sorted by date installed, most used, or category, as well as by name. In Windows 8.1 you can rename the apps group and can be moved easily.
The new revamped search functionality will display results from your PC and from the Web. So you don’t need separate search for web. The search results from all categories sorted based on the category.
As rumoured early, the same desktop wallpaper can be set to Start screen as well with in-built start screen backgrounds.
Another Much expected new feature is a side by side app display. In Windows 8.1 you can have side by side apps, also you can adjust the window size of the app. It powers you to open more Windows 8 Metro Apps and windows 8 Games apps in the same screen.
Also, the new apps tiles will no longer automatically added to the Start Screen in Windows 8.1. You can get the tiles from the new app drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
Source: Microsoft
