Why Have Most Windows 8 Users Not Upgraded to Windows 8.1?

[A Guy]

Windows 8.1 is a free upgrade to Windows 8. It’s what the original Windows 8 should have been, with important improvements for both desktop and tablet users. So why are more people using Windows 8 than Windows 8.1?

It’s hard not to see this as a failure for Microsoft. Windows 8.1 is the first “new version” of Windows they’ve given out for free to existing users and most Windows 8 users aren’t biting.

Source

A Guy

 

[4wd]

Maybe many who tried 8 are so unhappy with MS's new directions that they don't want to risk getting more of it... ? lol

btw, article says "Microsoft requires you log in with a Microsoft account before you can download Windows 8.1 from the Store", that's not correct, no need for MS Party Membership card. But they try hard to maneuver and trick people into it.

 

[sygnus21]

I personally can't see why anyone running 8 won't upgrade to 8.1. It provides a lot of improvements and added features to the OS and there's zero degradation in performance.

"Microsoft requires you log in with a Microsoft account before you can download Windows 8.1 from the Store", that's not correct, no need for MS Party Membership card. But they try hard to maneuver and trick people into it.

Unless you have an ISO disk, how is the NOT true?

And yes, I'm running Window 8... on two machines.

 

[4wd]

I personally can't see why anyone running 8 won't upgrade to 8.1. It provides a lot of improvements and added features to the OS and there's zero degradation in performance.

"Microsoft requires you log in with a Microsoft account before you can download Windows 8.1 from the Store", that's not correct, no need for MS Party Membership card. But they try hard to maneuver and trick people into it.

Unless you have an ISO disk, how is the NOT true?

And yes, I'm running Window 8... on two machines.

Got 2x 8's upgraded, 1 core & 1 pro, downloaded 8.1 in shop, both local accounts, no ISO involved. Took hours, then some extra time to get rid of windows old etc, turned out very well (did not jump on it at the release time, waited till drivers etc were updated). As for any improvements, none in practice here, Classic Shell works fine in both 8 & 8.1 :O)

 

[Brink]

Maybe many who tried 8 are so unhappy with MS's new directions that they don't want to risk getting more of it... ? lol

btw, article says "Microsoft requires you log in with a Microsoft account before you can download Windows 8.1 from the Store", that's not correct, no need for MS Party Membership card. But they try hard to maneuver and trick people into it.

Sorry mate, but you do indeed need to be signed in to the Store with a Microsoft account to be able to download and install anything from the Store.

Windows 8.1 - Update to from Windows 8

CORRECTION:
It appears that you are able to update to 8.1 without being signed in to a Microsoft account.

 

[4wd]

Did install\upgrade to 8.1 yesterday om my Tosh C850, offered in store, it's here in front of me with a very alive 8.1 streaming youtube videos. no ms account. Just finishing the details, removing windows old, defrag etc. Did my other w8 laptop a few weeks ago. Are we talking about the same thing? The upgrade is offered to any legit 8 installation, local or ms account.

 

[sygnus21]

Did install\upgrade to 8.1 yesterday om my Tosh C850, offered in store, it's here in front of me with a very alive 8.1 streaming youtube videos. no ms account. Just finishing the details, removing windows old, defrag etc. Did my other w8 laptop a few weeks ago. Are we talking about the same thing? The upgrade is offered to any legit 8 installation, local or ms account.

Not going to argue but you're somewhat contradicting yourself because you can't log-in/download from the Microsoft Apps Store (where the 8.1 update would have been offered) without a MS account. And thus you can't access the store through Windows 8 without an MS account - Microsoft Account - Switch to in Windows 8. If you've done or have that setup, than you DO have a MS account

 

[tannim]

the 8.1 update crashes one friend's computer when they try to install. He knows very little of computers and won't try anything to fix it.

Windows 8 itself crashed and bluescreened so the other can't figure out how to get it back up without losing his data. This one is pretty lazy and hasn't bothered doing anything with it since he doesn't like win8 at all. He also knows very little of computers and other excuses to not get things done with it.

 

[4wd]

you can't log-in/download from the Microsoft Apps Store (where the 8.1 update would have been offered) without a MS account.

Interesting, is MS honoring me with some special treatment, or am I the only one reading the fine print and clicking the right places when presented with MS's install\upgrade options?

All my original w8 installs has been done using local account, have got no ms account, never had one, and will not get one for any foreseeable future.

The upgrade used was offered as 1st thing after clicking the 'store' tile\shortcut, and shows up as a very large tile taking half of the screen here, click it and the upgrade downloads and installs, no need to log in anywhere. Have used same procedure before on several test upgrades to 8.1 on different pc's (at the time reverted to 8 images due to some small problems with 8.1 (drivers?), seems good this time). All in all this is the 5 or 6th time I do a local account 8.1 upgrade.

Whatever, working fine now, and prepared for the 8.1.1 arrival on the 'affected' pc's.

 

[SIW2]

Don't know , haven't got installed 8.0 to try it now. Perhaps that is fairly recent, due to so many complaints about having to log in.

 

[M1GU31]

Probably because most don't know about it and don't see it in windows updates like the article stated which is what I think is the biggest reason as to why. Not sure why this is a big deal not like matters and wonder how this is even news. Should ship it like a normal update and anyone with auto updates on will get it installed or at least get a bubble telling them about it.

 

[fireballxl5]

Hello...love the Windows 7 forum. Speaking of which...what does this have to do with Windows 7? Would this thread be more appropriate to Windows 8 users...on their forum? I can take the heat if I'm wrong, but I just don't see the value to Windows 7 users. If I want Win8 info...I'll go there and join in. Again, thanks for all the help and blessings to Brink...you are one smart cookie!

 

[SIW2]

People are interested in what MS is up to. Many here have tried 8 and rejected it, so they are curious to know what is happening to it.

 

[A Guy]

It's for tech news, not just Windows 7 news. And as mentioned, it is of interest to 7 users as well. A Guy

 

[Britton30]

4WD, can you provide a link to the 8.1 download where I don't need to log in?

 

[ThrashZone]

Yea most the time if not all the time I have to sign in separately to access a Mr. Fixit article
Not to mention I'm usually signed into my.msn.com/ TechNet.com and answers.microsoft.com
Not to mention Hotmail.com

 

[TVeblen]

Maybe most of the Windows 8 licenses were upgraded to Windows 7 instead :devil2:

 

[4wd]

4WD, can you provide a link to the 8.1 download where I don't need to log in?

Hello, got no link, it's trough the store. Did one more 8 to 8.1 upgrade yesterday on another laptop > see attachments. As before, opened store and click the VERY large tile, no need to log in, the download \ install proceeds from there. At the last stage of the 8.1 install, the thing is to not get tricked into the ms account stuff (unless one wants to use it), and click the half-hidden 'continue using my existing account' (which on my w8 pc's were local accounts).

Hope this clarifies it or is useful to someone. As for my w8 usage, am using the 'w7 parts' (which work very well imo) and Classic Shell, and avoiding the ugly phone interface and tiles. My main work pc is an excellent w7, will never 'upgrade' that one to 8.

 

[Britton30]

Maybe most of the Windows 8 licenses were upgraded to Windows 7 instead :devil2:

Good choice!
4WD the images are too small to read.

 

[4wd]

^^^ ahh sorry, looks ok here as a rough presentation of how the process looks.
att1 = 'Update to windows 8.1 for free' store tile
att2 = 'Download' button and 'you can keep working while the update is downloading'
att3 = 'Installations' 'Windows 8.1 downloading'
att4 = 'continue using my existing account' underlined at the bottom.