Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 is a release of the <a href="/facts/Windows_NT/EtccWvxQ">Windows NT</a> <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating system</a> developed by <a href="/facts/Microsoft/nGIDDXdx">Microsoft</a>. It was <a href="/facts/Software_release_life_cycle/z4Q4RElA">released to manufacturing</a> on August 27, 2013, and broadly released for retail sale on October 17, 2013, about a year after the retail release of its predecessor, and succeeded by <a href="/facts/Windows_10/be9IHehJ">Windows 10</a> on July 29, 2015. Windows 8.1 was made available for download via <a href="/facts/MSDN/q2EJdDx2">MSDN</a> and <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Technet/XdFdowL4">Technet</a> and available as a free upgrade for retail copies of <a href="/facts/Windows_8/eRtw96T3">Windows 8</a> and <a href="/facts/Windows_RT/0NWKXGLd">Windows RT</a> users via the <a href="/facts/Windows_Store/tnnWFhAF">Windows Store</a>. A <a href="/facts/Windows_server/5t7XxyUV">server</a> version, <a href="/facts/Windows_Server_2012_R2/488UvxPM">Windows Server 2012 R2</a>, was released on October 18, 2013.
Windows 8.1 aimed to address complaints of Windows 8 users and reviewers on launch. Enhancements include an improved <a href="/facts/Start_menu/ubDBJLDX">Start screen</a>, additional snap views, additional bundled apps, tighter <a href="/facts/OneDrive/4Pty6BW8">OneDrive</a> (formerly SkyDrive) integration, <a href="/facts/Internet_Explorer_11/EjgV0YJe">Internet Explorer 11</a> (IE11), a <a href="/facts/Bing_(search_engine)/r2pIK5HT">Bing</a>-powered unified search system, restoration of a visible <a href="/facts/Start_button/ubDBJLDX">Start button</a> on the <a href="/facts/Taskbar/uLQUAwz6">taskbar</a>, and the ability to restore the previous behavior of opening the user's desktop on login instead of the Start screen. Windows 8.1 also added support for then emerging technologies like high-resolution displays, <a href="/facts/3D_printing/lbvWU3t0">3D printing</a>, <a href="/facts/Wi-Fi_Direct/TPsMzG4L">Wi-Fi Direct</a>, and <a href="/facts/Miracast/y9w3C5Pe">Miracast</a> streaming, as well as the <a href="/facts/ReFS/gHpwuexf">ReFS</a> file system.
Windows 8.1 received more positive reception than Windows 8, with people appreciating the expanded functionality available to apps in comparison to Windows 8, its OneDrive integration, its user interface tweaks, and the addition of expanded tutorials for operating the Windows 8 interface. Despite these improvements, Windows 8.1 was still criticized for not addressing all issues of Windows 8 (such as poor integration between <a href="/facts/Metro_(design_language)/uHqlK6g1">Metro</a>-style apps and the desktop interface), and the potential privacy implications of the expanded use of online services. Windows 8.1 would be succeeded by Windows 10 in 2015. Mainstream support for Windows 8.1 ended on January 9, 2018, and extended support ended on January 10, 2023. Mainstream support for the Embedded Industry edition of Windows 8.1 ended on July 10, 2018, and extended support ended on July 11, 2023. As of April 2025, it is estimated that 0.28% of computers are still running Windows 8.1.

Windows 8.1 open-in-new

Windows 8.1