Skip to main content

Start the countdown – Windows 8.1 reportedly available mid-October

A build of Windows 8.1 leaked over the weekend, revealing a near-finished version of the new OS. We’ve already got a good amount of hands-on time with Windows 8.1 in the Preview build, but yesterday’s leak of the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version had a few new features aimed toward first-time Windows 8 users. The RTM version, which is generally released to computer makers, will be going out around the last week of August, but what about the public version for those of us who just want to update our PCs without buying a whole new one? 

According to one of ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley’s “best tipsters,” Microsoft is going to release the final Windows 8.1 bits around mid-October, which is when it’ll become available to the general public. The mid-October date will also be used as the launch date for new Windows 8.1 PCs and 7 and 8-inch devices.

Recommended Videos

For those of us who weren’t exactly happy with Windows 8, the 8.1 update couldn’t come sooner. But it’s important to note that Microsoft is actually doing things a little more quickly this time. After all, the company took three years to bang out Windows 8 and replace Windows 7. A mid-October release will be just about a year from when Microsoft first launched Windows 8. According to The Verge, the time between the RTM release and the final release will give Microsoft some time to continue adding fixes and patches for the General Availability build in October. 

Windows 8.1 will bring many fixes to the Windows 8 features we’ve griped about for the last year, including bringing back the Start button (not Start menu), an easier way to view your apps, a more personalized home screen, a better search experience, improved “split view” to make multitasking simpler, a revamped app store, Internet Explorer 11, and more. We definitely prefer Windows 8.1 over 8, but you’ll have to form your own opinion after Windows 8.1’s mid-October release. 

Jennifer Bergen
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jennifer Bergen is the Computing Section Editor at Digital Trends and is in charge of all things laptops, desktops, and their…
Windows 11 tips and tricks: 8 hidden settings you need to try
Windows 11 on a tablet.

Windows 11 has been around for quite a while now. The operating system isn't as new as when it first came out in 2021, but many people are still updating it for the first time from Windows 10. Yet whether you read a Windows 11 review and just installed it, or have been using it since launch, there are a few things that you still might want to tweak to get a better experience. Microsoft doesn't have all these settings upfront, but we're here to surface them for you.
Move the Taskbar and Start Menu to the left

One of the biggest differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 is the location of the Taskbar and Start Menu. On Windows 10, the Taskbar and Start Menu are positioned to the left of the screen. Windows 11, though, changes that by moving both to the center. If this annoys you, then you can easily change it back.

Read more
How to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode
Windows 11 on a tablet.

If your Windows PC is having issues, one way to troubleshoot those issues is start your PC in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is essentially a very basic version of Windows 11, without all the bells and whistles and only a restricted set of features, drivers, and files. This mode essentially lets you take a look at your computer and helps you figure out exactly what issue is plaguing your PC.

But booting into Safe Mode on Windows 11 isn't as easy as just pressing a single button. You'll need to navigate through a series of menus first and the method for getting there depends on your PC specific situation (Is your PC still working or is it just a blank or black screen?).

Read more
How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10
Laptop screen featuring a Windows update screen.

Windows 11 might be the latest, but it's possible that you may not agree that it's the greatest operating system Microsoft has to offer. And that's fair. After all, Windows 11 has had its fair share of bugs and issues. And in your own comparison between Windows 10 and Windows 11, you might think you'd rather go back to Windows 10.

If that's the case, we can help you navigate the downgrading process.

Read more