This operating system included some changes to the file browser, came with a much larger default driver database, support for USB 3.0, remodeled blue screens to make them smoother, and removed some features we used until then, such as Media. Center, Windows DVD Maker, Briefcase, default games, Windows XP Mode, and desktop gadgets.
Finally, indicate that this operating system was the first to introduce the ribbon interfacealready seen in Office 2007 and which, since Windows 8, has become part of the operating system, both in this version and in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows 8 vs Windows 8.1: differences
After the chaos with the launch of Windows 8, a year later (in October 2013) Microsoft released a new version of this system, in the form of a free update: Windows 8.1. Broadly speaking, it is the same version seen the previous year (since it is not a new Windows as such) but with a series of patches, changes, improvements and corrections (such as one of the past Service Packs) so that users can Users may feel more comfortable working with the PC.
The changes that this new version introduced with respect to the original Windows 8 were:
- Inclusion of a start button (no menu) on the desktop.
- New sizes for Metro UI tiles (small and extra large).
- Additional colors for the Home screen.
- More options in the Settings panel, bringing many Control Panel settings to it.
- New pre-installed apps.
- New help tutorial and tips for new users.
- Improvements in the integrated application search engine.
- Tighter integration with OneDrive.
- Internet Explorer 11.
Windows 8.1 also got two big updates, like its own service packs. First of all, the Update 1in April 2014, it was installed automatically if we had a computer up to date and entered:
- Ability to pin apps to the taskbar
- An X in the top bar to close apps in full screen
- Completely erase SkyDrive in favor of OneDrive
- Booted (finally) the desktop by default if there was no touch screen.
- Reduced requirements to 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of space.
And, in November 2014, the new Update 2the second update to Windows 8.1 that came with the following changes:
- Updated language packs.
- System security improvements.
- Support for the latest hardware released on the market.
- Performance and stability improvements.
- Improvements in administration functions.
- Improved compatibility with additional hardware.
Windows 8.1 Update 2 has been the last update of this operating system, the one that has continued to work until, on January 10, 2023, this operating system finally passed away. It currently does not receive updates or support from Microsoft.
Download Windows 8 / 8.1
Microsoft no longer allows Windows 8 to be downloaded legally. It doesn’t make sense either, since the version that finally followed for a long time was Windows 8.1. In any case, without going into much detail, if we want to download the official Windows 8.0 ISO we can search for it on the Internet, since there are several websites where we can find it. We, for example, recommend you go to trusted sites such as .
Windows 8.1, on the other hand, can be downloaded from Microsoft servers. And, in addition, completely free of charge. To do this, we must and scroll down to the “Select edition” section. We choose Windows 8.1, we continue, we choose our language, we continue, and we choose the version we want to download. We recommend 64-bit.
The ISO image that we downloaded occupies 4.1 GB and, when it is finished, we will be one step closer to being able to start using this system.
Minimum requirements
Windows 8’s requirements are slightly higher than previous versions of the operating system, but are very, very similar to Windows 7, so any computer that could run 7 could easily upgrade to Windows 8.
In order to use this system, our PC had to meet:
- 1 GHz processor with PAE, NX and SSE2 instructions.
- 1 GB of RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB of RAM (64-bit).
- 16 GB of disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB of disk space (64-bit).
- Graphics card compatible with DirectX 9 and WDDM 1.0 drivers.
- Screen with 1024×768 resolution.
In addition, Microsoft made it clear that some functions required some additional requirements. For example, in order to use Metro UI it was recommended to have a touch screen. To use the store it was necessary to have the resolution of 1024 x 768 and access to the Internet. For secure boot we had to have a UEFI v2.3.1 firmware. Hyper-V only worked on 64-bit systems. And finally, BitLocker required having a TPM 1.2 chip.
Create an installation USB
We can install Windows 8.1 in several ways. The first one is, if we are going to use a virtual machine, from the ISO image itself. But, if we are going to install it on a normal PC, we can choose either to burn it to a DVD and install it from it, or the most recommended option, to burn it to a flash drive.
For this purpose, we recommend you to use the program . We downloaded the program from its website, installed it on the PC and connected the flash drive to our computer. We simply select the flash drive in the “Device” section (be careful, because your data will be erased in the process), select the ISO image that we just downloaded, and that’s it.
The program will take care of formatting the drive, recording the Windows 8.1 image and, in addition, making the flash drive bootable (that is, bootable) in order to start the installation wizard.
Install the operating system step by step
With the installation medium already connected to the computer, we turn it on. When the system asks us to “press a key to start the installation wizard” we do so, and wait a few seconds for everything necessary to load.
In the first step, what we will do is choose our language and the keyboard language that we are going to use.
Immediately afterwards we will see a new window, with a button, which will be the one that allows us to start the system installation process.
In the first step, what we are going to have to do is enter the license key to be able to start installing the system. Unlike Windows 10 or Windows 11, which we can install without a key, Windows 8.1 will force us to use one. Luckily, Microsoft has several generic keys that allow us to unlock a trial period to use the system without paying.
We can use , provided by Microsoft itself.
In the next step of the wizard, what we will have to do is accept the license terms of the operating system.
We continue, and now we will have to choose, either update Windows from a previous version, keeping data and programs, or install Windows from scratch. We choose the second option (since, we assume, our PC does not have any system installed).
We select the hard disk and the partition where we want to install the system. Our advice is to remove all partitions to have a unallocated spaceand select it so that Windows configures it as it sees fit.
The copying of files to the hard drive, the first step of the installation wizard, now begins. This process may take more or less time depending on the characteristics of the PC. We must wait for it to complete. And, when finished, the computer will restart automatically.
When the PC boots again, the second part of the installation will begin.
The first thing we will find is the Windows customization options. We can choose the color that we want to give to our system and the name of the PC.
We can also choose, either use the recommended and automatic configuration, if we do not want complications, or choose, one by one, all the options.
If we are connected to a network, Windows will ask us if we want to connect to other computers within the same LAN.
We can also choose the way to update the PC through automatic updates.
And, of course, configure the privacy options based on whether or not we want to share our data and the way we use the PC with Microsoft.
Once these options are chosen, we reach the point where we have to configure our account. It is not mandatory to use a Microsoft Account, but if we want to use all the functions, as in Windows 10 and Windows 11, we will have to sign in.
We are also going to configure the different Microsoft services, starting with whether or not we want to use OneDrive. By default, Windows 8.1 allows us to save our personal data in the cloud, although we recommend not using this function.
Now we simply have to wait for Microsoft to finish configuring our account and the system.
After a few minutes we can finally see the Windows desktop. And now we can start using our Windows 8.1 system.
finish installation
Now that we have our Windows 8.1 installed, we only have to update the PC to be able to use it without problems. Next, we leave you a list of tasks with which to update our computer.
update windows
When we download and install Windows 8.1 we are downloading the base system, without the “Updates” that we have mentioned above. Therefore, we are not only at risk by not having security patches installed, but we can also find other types of errors and a reduced experience.
Therefore, the first thing we will do once the system is launched is to update it. To do this, we must locate the Windows Update tool, and search for updates from it.
In addition, the “Updates” can also be found in the Microsoft Store, the Windows application store, in case we do not have all the patches previously, we download them.
Install an antivirus
Now that we have our Windows up to date, we cannot start using it without first installing a good antivirus. Although Windows 8 introduced the first version of Windows Defender, it’s nowhere near the recommended option. Therefore, before continuing, we recommend that you look for alternative security software that helps us to be protected from hackers, viruses and all kinds of threats.
Avast, for example, is a good free option for those who don’t want to spend money on this type of software. On the other hand, McAfee or Bitdefender are two great antiviruses that will also provide us with comprehensive protection for the entire PC.
Install a start menu
As it could not be otherwise, another of the first configurations that we must carry out on the PC is put a start menu. Although 8.1 brought the button with it, it is necessary to install a separate software that allows us to have the classic menu that had been in the system for more than two decades.
There are many programs for this purpose. We recommend you, a free and open source alternative to ClassicShell that will allow us to have this menu in our Windows, with zero impact on performance and excellent stability.
Facebook Comments
Disqus