Windows 8.1 upgrade - is it worth doing?

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lyonrouge

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#939649 23-Nov-2013 21:18

macuser: Is there any benefit to a local account? I love my outlook/windows live account as it syncs all my settings/themes across PCs etc

With a local account I didn't have to enter a password when I started the machine, now I do, I'm looking for a way around this. I only have one machine outside of the domain, so I don't get any other benefits from the tight coupling with Microsoft. I tested that it would, still log on when disconnected, which works fine, so it's just the password I want to overcome.

Sadly I hoped Win8 would support a true remote wipe, I wonder is 8.1 does, that would make the increment worth while.

Wobbles

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#939979 24-Nov-2013 20:13

I had exact same issue, my wife and daughter use this laptop and I didn't want them to have to type in my complex password. As I couldn't undo my local account that had converted to windows live, I created a new one. I use Dropbox as it works well with all my devices and platforms, so have no need for Skydrive.

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Snowflake

#939996 24-Nov-2013 21:13

you can always create a 4 digit PIN number or picture password (if you have touch screen) instead

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Yogi02

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#940010 24-Nov-2013 21:54

I know a whole two people that have windows 8. One is a Compaq laptop and the other is HP (essentially the same).
Both owners are 60+ and both managed to brick their laptops doing the 8.1 update within days of each other. Downloaded fine and once it started to install both crashed and appear to have crashed.

Neither has a disk so I have told them to both call Microsoft.

What a pain in the ass, but I feel like I should do more to try and help but what more can be done when both are in warranty

wanghou168

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#940011 24-Nov-2013 21:57

didnt encounter any problem at all after upgrading to 8.1 from win 8
8.1 is much more smoother than 8

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Gilco2

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#940018 24-Nov-2013 22:10

I will go back yet again to windows 8 with my HP Probook 4530s. Perfect on Windows 8 and apart from screen perfect on 8.1. Screen perfect 8 but with 8.1 when you scroll down or enter info to reply to posts the screen goes black and leaves the top okay so you refresh. Happens with Firefox and IE. Havent tried chrome. Also get random lines across screen. Have downloaded latest graphics drivers but still the same. I like 8 and like 8.1 even more just the faults with the screen get very annoying. SO back to Windows 8 where all is perfect

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Behodar

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#940137 25-Nov-2013 10:03

Attempted a clean install of 8.1 on the weekend. Entered my MS account details and was told to enter the verification code texted to me. It never arrived. I tried the "call" option and that didn't arrive either. I managed to skip that, and finished the installation.

Next, I ran Windows Update and it failed with an error code; I didn't make a note of it but apparently it means that setup (OOBE) never completed. I'd previously had the same error on a different 8.1 machine so that's a 100% failure rate so far.

At that point I suspected my DVD of being damaged so I checksummed it against MSDN and it matched. I now simply have no confidence in Windows 8.1. So, in summary, no, I don't recommend it :)

silverbirch

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#940138 25-Nov-2013 10:05

Thanks - I'll stick with 8 until issues are resolved.

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lyonrouge

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#940861 26-Nov-2013 10:05

If you're running it on a domain, Win 8.1 cannot perform a password change, a fix is scheduled for January.

mmlakeman

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#940865 26-Nov-2013 10:13

Just an update - I tried this process, got the 8.1 ISO downloaded, tried to install it, it didn't like my win 8 Key so i put in the temp technet 8.1 key and it proceeded, and basically clean installed the laptop - didnt upgrade - it was like a new install - all Apps and Win32 Programs gone!

Then the laptop froze and bluescreened, have restored to Factory win 8 and have used the app store to upgrade to 8.1 and all is well but I still don't have a process for upgrading lots of machines without having to download 3GB everytime )-:

sidefx: I think this process worked for me to get the ISO:

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57608376-285/how-to-download-the-official-microsoft-windows-8.1-iso/

If not PM me and I might have it somewhere

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Snowflake

#941079 26-Nov-2013 14:31

lyonrouge: If you're running it on a domain, Win 8.1 cannot perform a password change, a fix is scheduled for January.

have you got a link to a KB for that? I've changed my domain password several times on Windows 8.1 domain joined machines. I know of one person that was having problems (two if you're having the same issue), but i'm not sure the cause.

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nathan

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#941104 26-Nov-2013 15:04

what level and OS of domain controllers?

Finch

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#973558 24-Jan-2014 14:13

Well..

I recently (Few days ago) updated to 8.1 from 8.0.

So far this is very buggy.

Youtube videos don't load sometimes and sometimes freeze for a couple of seconds during the videos. I have been having a lot of "internet explorer isn't responding" windows pop up. Just loaded up an article on Stuff and boom, it stopped responding.

Sometimes on certain forums no matter how many times I click "post" the click doesn't recognize, so I have to copy what I am posting, restart the browser, paste what I wanted to say. Sometimes that doesn't even work, so I restart my entire Laptop. (Although this could be a problem related to just that site, however haven't seen anybody else mention it)

When I first updated some screen resolutions in some programs were pretty low and everything was so zoomed in close. I managed to fix this (I wasn't the only one with this program) by going Right click Desktop > Screen Resolution > Make text and other items larger or smaller > Let me choose one scaling level for all my displays. However files in some folders are so small, can enlarge them yes but the sizes aren't how I am used to/how it was before I updated.

I am using all programs in desktop mode, going to youtube.com to watch the videos, using Internet Explorer.

I think that could be it, not entirely sure.

To answer the OP, no the update isn't worth it.

lyonrouge

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#973566 24-Jan-2014 14:20

nathan: what level and OS of domain controllers?

2008 R2

TwoSeven

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#973605 24-Jan-2014 15:30

Only thing I have not been able to do since updating the Surface pro to 8.1 is update the Factory Restore so that it restores to a clean 8.1 image, not a 8.0 one.

While I am not sure this is an 8.1 feature (I never tested in 8.0) I did manage to get three displays working on the surface pro - the built in one, an external monitor (using the display-port) and a TV using Widi.

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