Page 1 of 18 123411 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 180

Thread: Windows 8.1 Preview Q & A

  1. #1
    MDL Guru FaiKee's Avatar
    Join Date
    24 Jul 2009
    Posts
    3,732
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Windows 8.1 Preview Q & A

    The long-waited Windows 8.1 Preview will be available in this week, I guess everybody is eagerly waiting, and with some questions in their minds - so here's the answers to some of these questions, if you don't get your answers, just be patient, because this is just a extract, the full Q & A will be available on June 26 in the MS official win8.1 Preview page.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~













    Last edited by FaiKee; 23 Jun 2013 at 09:53. Reason: edit title
    sorry, link removed per MDL rules.

  2. #2
    MDL Guru FaiKee's Avatar
    Join Date
    24 Jul 2009
    Posts
    3,732
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    The update via Store consists of the following steps:

    • 1.You start by installingan update packagefrom the Windows 8.1 Preview Download page.
    • 2.When you restart after installing the update above, a system notification offersWindows 8.1 Preview. You can alsoopen the Store app to access the Windows 8.1 Preview descriptionpage.


    Note: This notification provides access to the Windows 8.1 Preview page in the Store, even if you are not signed-in with a Microsoft Account.


    • 3.Click Downloadon the Windows 8.1 Preview page to beginthe update. Progress is shown similar to what you see for a Windows Store app. If you select the in-progress Windows 8.1 Preview install, the app bar gives you an option to Cancelthe installation.

    From herethe installation works likea Windows 8 Electronic Software Distribution (ESD)installation, also called web setup. There is nointeractionneeded until after the restart.

    Note: Once you reach the Downloading step, you can troubleshoot issues as you would Windows 8 setup. Windows setup is running beneath this interface, and the file actions and logging match that for Windows 8. Additional troubleshooting notes are provided in VKB.

    • 4.When the first part of the update is complete, you will see a system notification to restart the PC. This includes a timer to restart automatically.
    • 5.After the restart, typical Windows setup progress screens are shown.
    • 6.Next you will see a license agreement to accept.
    • 7.Next are thesteps of theOut of Box Experience (OOBE). This follows the same Express/Customize workflow as Windows 8 setup.
    • 8.When completeyou will be able to sign in Windows.


    OOBE Changes
    There a few changes to be aware of in OOBE:

    • Option to �€pdate my apps automatically�€�: This can be set to Noto disable the new automatic app updates provided for Windows Store apps. It can also be set later in Store Settings, App updates.
    • A two-step user verification is now shown to all users, even if you do not have this enabled for your account in general.After you sign-in with your Microsoft Account, you can send a code to verify your identity. This is sent to another email address or a phonenumberthat you previously added to the security settings for your Microsoft Account.You can skip this step.
    • Thereis a SkyDrive opt-in step you may see during OOBE. If you opt in, Windows saves your settings to SkyDrive for backup. Also, your default file save location and Camera roll location are set to SkyDrive.
    • If you are connected to the Internet during OOBE, there is no local account option provided. Only Microsoft Accounts can be used.

      • oIf you are signed in with a local account on Windows 8and update via Windows Store, you will be prompted to sign-in during OOBE, and then asked to add a Microsoft Account.
      • oIna custom installation you will be prompted to sign-in with or create a Microsoft Account.

    Note:If a customer is blocked at the Microsoft Account step you can go back one step in OOBE and disconnect thenetwork connection. OOBE provides an option to proceed with a local accountwhenthe PC is disconnected.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    SkyDrive
    SkyDrive is built-in to Windows 8.1 Preview. This bringsa few changes:

    • ·The built-in SkyDrive app provides access to both SkyDrive and local files.
    • ·There is no need for the SkyDrive Desktop app. Windows 8.1 includes sync capability. The behavior is a bit different than before. See the notes below.
    • ·You can backup your settings to SkyDrive. Restore is available during OOBE when you set up Windows 8.1 Preview on another PC.

    The new SkyDrive appis shown below. When you click SkyDrive at the top, you have an option to view files on your PC. The app bar at the bottom includes new options, including a setting for making filesand foldersavailable offline.


    SkyDrive does not automatically sync all your SkyDrive files to the PC. Instead it downloadsplaceholder files for all of your files on SkyDrive. Placeholder files are shown in the app and in the SkyDrive folder in File Explorer. These small files look like the full file,
    and have thumbnails and metadata, but they take a tiny fraction of the disk space of the full file.
    When you open a placeholder, the SkyDrive enginedownloads the full file in the background. When youopens a file this way, SkyDrivealso marks the file as Available offline, so that the files you use will be kept in sync on this PC.
    Only files marked “Available offline” in details view will be available when your PC is offline.
    Note: By default, placeholder files will be downloaded even on metered networks. You can change this in the PC Settings, SkyDrive, Filesinterface.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Ifyou uninstall an app, you can now choose if it is removed from all PCs or only this PC, as shown below.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



    Windows Store
    The Windows Store app has been updated in Windows 8.1 Preview. This includes thefollowing changes:

    • ·You must sign in to the PC with a Microsoft Account to use the Store.There is not a sign-in option when you open the Store as a local account user.

      • oIf you are on a local account, you will be guided to change your Windows sign-in to a connected account.
      • oIf you are signed-in with a Microsoft Account, you can still use the Change useroption on the account page to view the Store as a different user.

    • ·Theapp bar hasmore options. See the image below.
    • ·Windows Store apps are updated automatically.This does not happen while connected to a metered network.
    • ·Apps can do more on Windows 8.1 Preview.This means some apps will be offered only to this version of Windows:

      • oApps designed for Windows 8 work on Windows 8.1 Preview.
      • oApps designed specifically for Windows 8.1 Preview will not be offered for installation on Windows 8. These apps work only on Windows 8.1 Preview.

    The image below showsthenew options in the app bar.
    Last edited by FaiKee; 23 Jun 2013 at 10:42.
    sorry, link removed per MDL rules.

  3. #3
    MDL Member fLOW.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    28 Jul 2009
    Posts
    113
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I assume that if we are using a language that its not from the 13 in preview, we just need to change it (on control panel) to english for example, or this wouldn't work?

    also, i assume that we're going to get the .iso in the same day as the store download?!

    cool thread FaiKee, keep it updated

  4. #4
    MDL Addicted Espionage724's Avatar
    Join Date
    08 Nov 2009
    Location
    Charleroi, PA
    Posts
    510
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I plan on doing a clean install from 8 to 8.1 anyway, so essentially, there should be no issue at all with this? I just grab the iso, put it on a DVD or flash drive, install with that product key, and just win?

    Edit: My locale is enUS also
    Last edited by Espionage724; 23 Jun 2013 at 10:47.

  5. #5
    MDL Junior Member
    Join Date
    18 Aug 2012
    Posts
    72
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ztnej View Post
    I assume that if we are using a language that its not from the 13 in preview, we just need to change it (on control panel) to english for example, or this wouldn't work?
    I guess it might work if you have installed the english LPK. I'll get it a try in my lab tomorrow.

  6. #6
    MDL Novice TimeFire's Avatar
    Join Date
    19 Jun 2013
    Location
    Brazil
    Posts
    23
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Just out of curiosity...
    How did you got access to the preview earlier?

    Is this through Microsoft Connect or something?

    Thanks FaiKee.
    I thought the update notification would just pop up automatically on June 26th. Now i know i'll have to download an update package.

    Thanks again.

    And one more question:
    If i do a clean install of the preview (by burning the ISO to a DVD or flash drive)...
    Will i be able to upgrade to the RTM?

  7. #7
    MDL Novice TimeFire's Avatar
    Join Date
    19 Jun 2013
    Location
    Brazil
    Posts
    23
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    That's because i prefer a clean install over an upgrade...
    No left-overs from the earlier OS.

  8. #8
    Avatar Guru EFA11's Avatar
    Join Date
    08 Oct 2010
    Location
    oh oh! Plop?
    Posts
    4,594
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I dont think you can upgrade 8.1 to 8. That would be a backwards upgrade (downgrade)

    I rather do clean installs as well (wipe and load heh). Upgrades tend to get messy sometimes.



  9. #9
    Super Mod / Adviser Tito's Avatar
    Join Date
    01 Dec 2009
    Location
    NIT DGP, India
    Posts
    14,739
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Added in the first post of this.


  10. #10
    MDL Novice
    Join Date
    29 Aug 2012
    Posts
    12
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    What happens when the preview is over. Will us guys using a legit win 8 key be able to just upgrade to the final through the store?

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •