Windows 8.1, a good update that does not change the situation - 20minutes.fr

Windows 8 has not been the success Microsoft hoped for. Tablet sales have not taken off and those of PC continues to collapse. Its chief architect, Steven Sinofsky, was fired and Steve Ballmer to retire. Worse, Windows 7 and XP still equip 70% of computers, against less than 10% in the last édition.Un year later, the company wants to recover the shot with a major update, available as a free download for owners of Windows 8 . But despite beneficial adjustments, both the OS for PCs and tablets, the touch and the mouse, the old programs and modern apps, remains as chimerical.

Installation

Better start saving the most important files on an external hard drive or in the cloud. Attention upgrade to Windows 8.1 takes about two hours. In detail:

• Those who are already in Windows 8 should go to the Windows Store to download the update or click here. Their files and programs are stored.
• Those who were running the beta version of 8.1 should follow the same procedure, but they will need to reinstall all their programs for some reason.

Those

• Windows 7 can buy and download it here. Only their files are kept.
Those
• Windows XP / Vista should buy the DVD version. No file or program is preserved, it is a new installation.

Improvements

Microsoft has listened to some criticism. The coexistence of two worlds gaining flexibility, particularly with better multi-window mode. The return of the Start button, even without the old drop-down menu, easy navigation and a right click access to many administrative functions. Windows 8.1 shows most especially teacher, with indications in distilled As that provide beginners with a little less hair pulling, for example to find out how to turn their PC. As for apps, they are more numerous and more functional (the image manager, among others). The universal search via Bing is powerful and integration of Skydrive can easily synchronize different machines in the cloud.

Recurring problems

keyboard navigation and mouse is awkward. Bring up menus or leaving a microsecond glimpse the cursor on one of the “hot corners” of the screen interrupts the flow of productivity. Microsoft is determined to force the user to interface with its modern open files by default using the display and not the traditional programs (pictures, music, PDF) full apps. They are often slow when they first start and almost always less functional than the equivalent programs or Web apps (email, Twitter). And in the business world, millions of employees form the new interface is a weapon of mass deterrence.

verdict

For those who had already made the leap to Windows 8, the update 8.1 is obvious. The OS also has many advantages for tablets and hybrid computers and touch to replace a laptop. But for the general public, the time of convergence towards a single machine do not fully come. Many prefer a tablet running iOS or Android for recreation and a PC running Windows 7 productivity.

Philippe Berry