Windows 8.1 Upgrade Policies Revealed, Will Need Only 4 GB HDD Space, Plus Watch Windows 8.1 Preview Video

Windows 8.1 Preview, code-named “Windows Blue,” will be unveiled on June 26 at the Microsoft BUILD developer conference. Microsoft will deliver the public preview of Windows 8.1 via the Windows Store on the same day. If you are thinking about installing it on your system, well think twice before proceeding.

ZDNet has published a report that states users who are installing Windows 8.1 preview version will not be able to upgrade to Windows 8.1 RTM release along with their installed apps. All installed Windows apps and desktop apps will be deleted, although data and user accounts will be preserved, when upgrading from the preview version to Windows 8.1 RTM release. Upgrading Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 RTM will be similar to what we’ve seen in Windows 7, at least with user settings, data, and apps. However, more information about upgrading to Windows 8.1 will be revealed later this month by Microsoft. Windows 8.1 RTM is expected to be out in August or September.

Windows 8.1

Microsoft seems to have heard to the feedback provided by Windows 8 users. With Windows 8.1, the Redmond software giant will bring a lot of improvements on Windows 8 computers. These improvements includes Start screen and Metro customization options, reduced footprint size of the operating system, Windows 8.1 will need just around 4 GB of hard disk space to install. To reduce footprint, Microsoft has tried to remove old components and temporary files, while improving NTFS compression. Also, installation of Windows 8.1 (preview) will not result in the replacement of the recovery partition in Windows 8. You should still expect changes until Windows 8.1 RTM version is released.

Windows 8.1 Preview Video: First Look

Watch the video below for first look at the upcoming Windows 8.1 before the public launch at the BUILD developer conference.

In this official video clip released by Microsoft, Jensen Harris from the Windows Team has introduced key features of Windows 8.1. Features discussed in the video clip includes the new improved Start screen, improved search option that also displays web links, images, SkyDrive files, and documents. Jensen also discusses about the improved Windows app multitasking feature, which allows you to run as many as 4 apps side by side. Although you will need a larger device to make the most out of this feature. The lock screen now can display photos in a slide show. Using this feature you can now use your Surface RT tablet as a full-featured photo frame.

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