Windows 8.1 ready for download

You heard us. Windows 8.1, the version of Windows that lets you hide the horrible Live Tiles/Metro/Whatever crap it’s called, is now available for download. It’s as easy as pie to do. Just click the link below this blurb:

Click here to download Windows 8.1

And here’s what you need to know, before installing Win 8.1:

It’s “free”

But only if you’re a Windows 8 or Windows RT user. If you have Windows RT, shame on you. It’s terrible.

But it’s not free

The actual cost of Windows 8.1 is R1 200 (US$119) for the basic edition. Windows 8.1 Pro costs R2 000 (US$199). Download Windows 8.1 Pro if you’re going to use it primarily in a working environment, as it has pretty excellent data encryption compared to Windows 8.1 basic. If you’re a casual user, You won’t get much value out of Windows 8.1 Pro though, so stick with basic. Microsoft has mercifully outlined the differences between both versions.

Windows 8.1 is the basic edition for home users. It includes the core feature set that home users require but does not include key business features, such as support for the ability to join domains, process Group Policy, and so on. Windows 8.1 Pro is for small- and medium-sized businesses. It provides enhanced features that help to easily connect to company networks, access files on the go, encrypt data, and more. Last, Windows 8.1 Enterprise edition is available through Windows Software Assurance. It includes all the capabilities of Windows 8.1 Pro, plus premium features such as Windows To Go, DirectAccess, BranchCache, AppLocker, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), and Windows 8 app deployment.

You can update to Windows 8.1 Pro from Windows 8 Pro

Just click here.

If you have XP or Vista, you’ll have to do a clean installation

Backup, format, install. Bye bye XP and Vista. What was Microsoft even thinking with Vista? Windows 7 users get a bit more love. One piece of bad news though — you’ll need to reinstall your software. It’s a good trade-off for a much slicker OS.