Microsoft votes for free Windows 8.1, collects kudos

[Firefox]

Microsoft votes for free Windows 8.1, collects kudos

If Microsoft proves annual updates are easy to deploy, OS could get its chance in the enterprise

Microsoft today announced that Windows 8.1, the update later this year for Windows 8, will be free to current users of the operating system, confirming analysts' expectations.

Analysts applauded the decision to give away the update. "Making the upgrade free will make the ecosystem and installed base very happy," said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy, in an email Tuesday.

Tami Reller, CFO of the Windows division, made the announcement in prepared remarks at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecomm Conference today. "Windows 8.1 will be delivered as a free update to Windows 8 and Windows RT," said Reller. "It will be easy to get right from the Windows Start Screen from the Windows app store."

It's unknown whether Microsoft will use the "Windows 8.1" name for the simultaneous update to Windows RT, the tablet-centric offshoot designed for devices running ARM processors. Microsoft did not reply to questions about the naming of the Windows RT update.

Reller declined to provide additional information on the update, such as the timing of the final release or specifics on Windows 8.1's contents.

A public preview will ship during BUILD, Microsoft's developers conference, which will run June 26-28 in San Francisco. That preview will also be distributed through the Windows Store.

Earlier this week..........

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[daledoc1]

Well, if they can't sell it, they might as well give it away.

http://www.zdnet.com...=e539&ttag=e539

<snark off>

Yes, I realize that the upgrade is free to those already running 8, of course.

I was just being sarcastic.

[AdvancedSetup]

Yeah, but that too is an issue as most of the Corporate World did not install Windows 8 so it's still a big cost - with little reason to do so.

I'm not saying it should be free, only that their reasons to upgrade are very minimal.

[Firefox]

I agree with you Ron, I see no reason to upgrade my network to Windows 8. I think I will stay with windows 7 for now. Finally got ride of all my windows XP computers... Sad to see some of them go....