How to (unofficially) upgrade in place from Windows 8.1 Preview to final code

Windows 8.1 is here at last, and all Windows 8 users can upgrade for free by visiting the Windows Store. Even users who are currently running the Preview code that was released in June can get the official update – something we’re very pleased to see, as it had been expected that they’d have to wipe their systems and perform a clean installation of the final code.

However, things aren’t quite as peachy as they may seem for Preview users. According to Microsoft’s own advice, if you installed the preview from the Windows Store, you’ll lose your applications when you move to the final code, and will have to reinstall them all. That’s a pain, and staying on the preview code isn’t a long-term option as it expires in January.

To carry out an in-place upgrade you’ll need an official Windows 8.1 installation ISO

There is an unofficial way to carry out an in-place upgrade, and keep your applications running. It doesn’t involve the regular Windows Store upgrade path: rather, you’ll need an official Windows 8.1 installation ISO, which Technet subscribers can download directly from Microsoft’s servers. Naturally, if you’re installing over a 32-bit preview installation, you’ll need a 32-bit ISO. If you’ve installed the UK edition of the preview, look for a UK-specific image. Enterprise users will need an Enterprise ISO. You get the idea.

The process we’re about to describe can be adapted to work with a DVD or an external hard disk, but the easiest way to proceed is if you can get your hands on a USB stick with a capacity of 4GB or more.

The first step is to “burn” the ISO file onto this USB stick. There are plenty of free tools that can do this, including Microsoft’s own Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool. Note that simply extracting all the files from the ISO won’t do, as you need the device to be bootable.

Once this is done, go into the sources folder on the USB drive and edit the file called cversion.ini. It should look like this:

[HostBuild]

MinClient=9458.0

MinServer=9458.0

These numbers represent the versions of Windows from which this media will perform an in-place upgrade. The 8.1 preview was build 9431 – as you’ll know if you’re running it, since the build number is permanently stamped on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. If the installer finds this edition of the OS on your hard disk you won’t be offered the option to upgrade. The solution is simple. Just change the values as follows:

MinClient=9431.0

MinServer=9431.0

Once you’ve made this change and saved the file, you can reboot your PC from your updated flash drive and follow the upgrade process, which will now be available.

You might wonder whether hacking the installer like this is really a good idea. After all, Microsoft must have had some reason for disallowing this particular upgrade route. If you do follow these instructions, be aware that you’re doing something unsupported, and that there’s a chance that you might run into difficulties, either right away or with future updates.

Don’t worry too much, though. Early adopters used a similar trick to install the final release of Windows 7 over pre-release code, and no problems were reported. Since the 8.1 RTM ISOs were made available to developers in early September, preview users have been happily following the procedure above. So it seems that Microsoft’s disabling of in-place upgrades from preview code is a policy decision, rather than a technical necessity.

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Windows 8.1 now available to download

Microsoft's Windows 8.1 update is now available to download. Windows 8 users will see a notification in the Windows Store with a prompt to upgrade to the new operating system. Microsoft has added a number of improvements with this update, including built-in Bing search, smart SkyDrive syncing, and visual changes to the Start Screen and application snapping. For a full overview of all the features see Windows 8.1 review.

If you're an existing Windows 8 user then moving to 8.1 should be relatively pain free. The update will retain all desktop and Windows 8-style apps, including files and settings. It's worth backing up just in case, but it should be like any other patch through Windows Update that Microsoft supplies on a monthly basis. Windows 8.1 Preview users will have a slightly different experience depending on how the Preview was originally installed. If you installed Windows 8.1 Preview from the Windows Store on top of Windows 8 then you can move straight to the final edition in the Store today. Personal files will be retained, but apps will need to be reinstalled.

If you clean installed Windows 8.1 Preview by using an ISO then you can update to the final version of Windows 8.1 using the Store today, but the system won't activate without a Windows 8.1 license key. Microsoft says existing Windows 8 keys will not work on systems that clean installed the Preview and update to 8.1. If you were previously running Windows 8 then you'll need to reinstall that copy before moving to 8.1 to ensure you don't have to purchase a new key.

Microsoft has released a large number of built-in app updates for Windows 8.1 today, so expect to see those appear following the upgrade. The software maker is also releasing a final General Availability update patch today for existing Windows 8.1 users and those upgrading, so if you have any limitations on your monthly broadband bandwidth then bear that in mind before you update. Finally, if you're a Surface RT user then the Windows RT 8.1 update is also available today and details can be found at Microsoft's support pages.

Update: If you're having trouble finding the update in the Windows Store, simply visit this article on your Windows 8 device and click this link.

Source: tomshardware.com

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Microsoft Talks Cross-Play Between Xbox One, Windows 8

Microsoft's Phil Spencer recently spoke to AusGamers about the idea of cross-platform play between the PC and Xbox consoles. He remained tight-lipped about the possibility in the upcoming Xbox One and Windows 8 PCs, but admitted that the idea makes a lot of sense. After all, both platforms are based on the Windows 8 kernel, both platforms support gamepads, and both have a huge revenue-generating audience.

Unfortunately, the PC side isn't quite that cut-and dry: Microsoft can control the hardware aspect of the console, but the company can't do the same with the PC. Even more, many PC gamers could have the upper hand by using the mouse and keyboard input unless Microsoft and developers decide to provide support on the Xbox One console, which could be a possibility.

"I'm not allowed to leak things," Spencer said. "But I think what you're talking about makes a lot of sense. Now, you have differences in Windows gaming and console gaming around control and input… in fact if you go back to Shadow Run on Xbox 360 – something I worked on – we had PC players playing against Xbox 360 customers. We didn't have tremendous success with that, but we learned a lot from it."

"And then earlier this year we released Skulls of the Shogun, which was a game we launched on all three platforms on the same day, and you could start on one platform and then save the game to the Cloud and play across any of the screens and progress," he added. "And then Halo: Spartan Assault has some links between Halo 4 and Spartan Assault, even though they're very different games."

He believes the future of gaming is a connected ecosystem across all the different devices. He points to Xbox Live and the apps on mobile devices that allows users to see what their friends are doing, what Achievements they've accomplished, and so on. Thus he doesn't predict Windows 8 gamers will be playing against Xbox One gamers in a player vs. player or co-op scenario.

Will that ever happen? At one time we were led to believe that eventually all Windows devices would have cross-platform games that could pit a Windows Phone user against an Xbox One owner, and titles that can be played on one device, saved to the cloud, and resumed on another. Currently, the "multiplayer" is locked to stat comparisons.

But as he describes above, the company is testing the cloud-based, cross-platform waters. Now that the Games for Windows LIVE Marketplace is closed, there's questions as to what Microsoft plans to do on the PC gaming front. Former Steam director of business development Jason Holtman recently confirmed that he is now working at Microsoft to focus on making Windows a great platform for gaming and interactive entertainment.

"I think there is a lot of opportunity for Microsoft to deliver the games and entertainment customers want and to work with developers to make that happen, so I'm excited to be here," he said.

But here's something to keep in mind: game streaming. This will likely open the doors to cross-platform play across most devices including Windows-based smartphones and tablets, Android and iOS. Thus, like OnLive, Microsoft can keep the playing level even, and keep players locked into the Xbox Live network. Sources said that Microsoft was recently demonstrating Halo 4 streaming to a Windows Phone, so we're betting this is the direction Microsoft is taking.

Source: tomshardware.com

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Windows 8.1 Rolling Out Worldwide

Here comes the Windows 8.1 storm.

TechCrunch points out that Windows 8.1 will begin rolling out to current Windows 8 users on Thursday at 4 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The update will bring a number of improvements including a variety of tile sizes, an improved Windows Store, the semi-return of the Start button, the ability to boot to desktop (finally), Internet Explorer 11 and more. The launch is an attempt to "reboot" the Windows 8 platform, and lead the way to other platform changes and additions in the near future.

"As I walk down the hallway in my office this week I see a lot of smiles from people on the team who are excited about their hard work finally making it into customers’ hands," states Microsoft's executive vice president of operating systems, Terry Myerson. "This week we’ve got some great things coming for Windows and Windows Phone customers. On Thursday, Windows 8.1 will be globally available, and we also announced the third update to Windows Phone 8, coming soon to Windows Phone customers."

"If you’re already running Windows 8, download 8.1 tomorrow to see the new Windows, which brings you one experience for everything in your life," he adds. "And if you’re in the market for a new device, keep an eye out for the great new Windows devices that will be on store shelves this holiday season: from affordable phones, 8” tablets and touch PCs to high-end devices, there’s a Windows device for you."

The new update will allow customers to turn their Windows 8.1 wireless enabled laptop or tablet into a hotspot, eliminating the need for third-party applications. The update will also make Windows 8 more mouse-friendly as well, a welcome feature given that a lot of Microsoft's customers are still treading along with the old-school mouse and keyboard method. New apps are expected to arrive as well including a Calculator, a Sound Recorder, new Alarm features and more.

"Windows 8.1 with IE 11 introduces support for live tile notifications when you pin your favorite web sites," states Rob Mauceri, group program manager for Internet Explorer. "Your pinned sites can now be alive with activity, pulling data directly from the websites so your Start screen is updated with the latest posts, scores or stocks – information from the Web right on your Start screen. Together with the Start screen team in Windows, we designed the live tile support for sites to enable all the same tile sizes and layouts that apps enjoy."

As TechCrunch points out, tonight marks the calm before the storm. Tomorrow we will find out if Windows 8.1 is heading in the right direction, or will just turn even more customers away. Microsoft has a lot riding on this update – seemingly the fate of the PC market long dominated by Windows. With Android, Chrome OS and Ubuntu crouched in the bushes waiting to strike, Microsoft had better produce a golden egg with Windows 8.1.

Source: tomshardware.com

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$10,000 Bounty Awarded for Microsoft Windows 8.1 Bug

Microsoft recently sent out a bounty for a hefty $10,000 if someone could smash a pesky Windows 8.1 bug. The tech giant has usually shied away from depositing rewards like this in the past, but this year, Microsoft has started to change that.

They started using the same bounty system earlier this year, around June, to knock out some bugs regarding Windows 8.1, and the infamous Internet Explorer 11. Ironically, a Google engineer was the first to claim a bounty with a smashing of an IE11 bug; perhaps he had experience with web browser development over at Google for Chrome.

While Microsoft has offered big bucks for IE exploits, the true cash was really invested in exploitation techniques on Windows 8.1. I mean let’s face it; Windows 8.1 should certainly be the primary source of focus rather than the widely criticized Internet Explorer.

A security researcher over at Context Information Security, named James Forshaw, claimed the most recent $10,000 bounty. Forshaw squashed a bug that worked around some firewalls and protections in Windows 8.1’s preview version. This isn’t Forshaw’s first time in playing pest control, however. He previously won a bounty for his role in scanning, and eventually locating, an IE 11 bug. However, Microsoft is not expanding on the exploit for now.

Microsoft’s very own sensor security strategist, Katie Moussouris, explained that “The reason we pay so much more for a new attack technique versus for an individual bug is that learning about new mitigation bypass techniques help us defend against our entire attack.”

The IE 11 bug bounty program is closed, but Microsoft is still on the look out for Windows 8.1-related bugs. They’ve paid out a grand total of roughly $128,000 in total bounties and are ready for more. Maybe one of you guys reading here at our website will put on your gloves and lend Microsoft a hand by spraying some pesticide on some of these nettlesome bugs!

Source: PCPro

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