Windows 8.1 is already available for download and is free for those who had pre-installed Windows 8. The rest can get it at affordable prices. Why should you make the switch? Why is 8.1 better that 8? Here are ten reasons that will help you make the decision to switch.
1. Windows 8.1 takes up less space on disk
I have actually experienced this benefit myself. The upgrade of the system got me and extra 12 GB of space free. It’s a good enough reason for me. Windows 8.1 need 8-15 % less space than Windows 8. So, it’s anywhere from 16 GB for the Windows 8.1 version and anywhere from 20 GB for the Windows 8.1 Pro.
2. Appearance of the START button
Users who were unhappy with the introduction of the option of booting directly into the main screen with Live Tile now have the facility to open the Windows 8.1 directly into the classic desktop. This is done by right-clicking the taskbar and then Properties, then Navigation tab. Select When I sign in or close apps on the screen, go to the desktop instead of home.
The START button, redesigned for Windows 8.1, appears when the mouse is gone permanently in the bottom left of the working screen. Right click on it and displays a context menu from which you can choose a shortcut to a list of the most interesting / used options. However, the entire list of programs does not appear (this occurs if on the home screen, you press the down arrow).
3. Tiles of different sizes
On Windows 8.1, there are two new dimensions to Live Tile: big and small, to supplement the Medium and Wide options.
4. Better sharing METRO screens
Windows 8.1 allows screen sharing working with METRO applications into three: 1/2, 1/2 and 2/3. This allows better multitasking on METRO interface applications.
5. Integrated search
Following the example of Google’s Android and Apple’s MacOS / iOS, Microsoft introduced integrated search option directly from Windows. From the main screen (press the Windows key) start simply to write text search. The search will display a list of results extracted from the local system and on the Internet. If information on the system is identified, it is viewed as a priority.
You will probably not be pleased with the results offered and you will want to use Google web search engine. We recommend you the Google app form the Windows Store for that.
6. Integration with the cloud
Microsoft’s decision to tie SkyDrive to Windows 8 is logical given that Apple and Google are already doing that. The difference comes from the fact that Microsoft provides 7.5 GB free to those who have now made a new account, or 25 GB for those with earliest accounts.
Via SkyDrive, you not only get an extension to cloud storage, but you also have the possibility of remote access and make available information to multiple systems. Also, through SkyDrive it’s possible to remotely access documents stored locally.
7. A new email application
The old one on Windows 8 was difficult to use, often split. Those who do not plan to use Microsoft Office will gain a more complex client for management of emails. The new Windows 8.1 Mail accounts know how to work with Yahoo, Gmail and Exchange.
8. Speed
Overall, Windows 8.1 seems to be faster than Windows 8. Starting with the boot times to the work experience in applications and menus.
9. Better integration of contact information
On Windows 8, the integration with social networks and address book was just the beginning. There were awkwardness and synchronization issues. On Windows 8.1, integration is extended (email accounts, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Skype) and presented elegantly.
10. The same wallpaper on classic desktop and Live Tile
We left at the end the facility to have the same wallpaper for the classic desktop and on the one with Live Tile. Basically it’s not a big change, its practical use having an exceptional advantage: it leaves you the feeling that the tiles float over the background (it remains the same) when switching between the two screens.
So, are you going to make the big switch soon?
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