Also I will also talk about the main new features - not about the new sizes of the tiles and meaningless in the current reincarnation of the Start button, namely, those things that expand the operating system functionality compared to previous versions. See also: 6 new techniques for efficient work in Windows 8.1
Update to Windows 8.1 (with Windows 8)
In order to update with Windows 8 to the final version of Windows 8.1, simply go to the application store, where you will see a link to a free update.
Click "Download" and expect when 3 with a gigabyte data is loaded. At this time, you can continue to work at the computer. Upon completion of the download, you will see a message that it is necessary to restart the computer to start updating to Windows 8.1. Do it. Then everything happens fully automatically and, it should be noted, long enough: in fact, as a full installation of Windows. Below, on two pictures, almost the entire process of installing the update:
Upon completion, you will see the Windows 8.1 initial screen (I have, for some reason, it originally set the screen resolution) and several new applications in the tiles (cooking, health and something else). The new features will be written below. All programs will continue and will work, in any case, I did not suffer from any, although there are some (Android Studio, Visual Studio, etc.), sufficiently sensitive to system settings. Another point: Immediately after installation, the computer will show excessive disk activity (another update is loaded, which applies to the already installed Windows 8.1 and is actively synchronized with SkyDrive, despite the fact that all files are so synchronized).
Ready, nothing complicated as you can see.
Where to download windows 8.1 is officially (you need a key or installed Windows 8)
If you want to download Windows 8.1 in order to perform a clean installation, burn a disk or make a bootable flash drive, while you are the user of the official version of Win 8, then simply go to the appropriate page on the Microsoft website: http://windows.microsoft.com / EN-RU / Windows-8 / Upgrade-Product-Key-Only
In the middle of the page you will see the appropriate button. If you ask you the key, then be prepared for the fact that it is not suitable for Windows 8. However, this problem can be solved: how to download Windows 8.1 using the Windows 8 key.
Loading occurs by the Microsoft utility and, after Windows 8.1, will be downloaded, you can create an ISO image or write installation files to a USB drive, and then use them for clean installation Windows 8.1. (I will write instructions with illustrations, probably today).
New Windows 8.1 functions
And now about what's new in Windows 8.1. I will briefly indicate the item and show a picture on which it is depicted where it is located.
- Download immediately to the desktop (as well as on the "All Applications" screen), display the desktop background on the initial screen.
- Distribution of Internet software Wi-Fi (built into the operating system). This is the stated opportunity. I did not find it, although it should be in the "change of computer parameters" - "Network" is "a connection that needs to be distributed through Wi-Fi." As I'll figure it out, I will add information here. Judging by what I found at the moment, only distribution of 3G connections on tablets is supported.
- Print Wi-Fi Direct.
- Startup up to 4 Metro applications with different sizes of windows. Multiple instances of one application.
- New search (try, very interesting).
- Slideshow on the lock screen.
- Four tiles sizes on the initial screen.
- Internet Explorer 11 (very fast, feeling, seriously).
- Integrated into the SkyDrive and Skype system for Windows 8.
- Encryption of the system hard disk as the default function used (not yet experimented, read in the news. I will try on the virtual machine).
- Built-in support for 3D printing.
- Standard wallpapers for the initial screen have become animated.
Now, at the moment I can note only these things. The list will be replenished along the study of various elements, if you have something to add - Write in the comments.