I have been using Windows 8.1 Update 1 for a week now on my older computer. Update 1 for Windows 8.1 is a free Update which you can download for Windows 8.1 from Windows Update. Update 1 is design to make Windows 8.1 run better on slower computers like tablets, and netbooks. It will also make using Windows easier on desktop and laptop computers which use keyboard and mouse for typing, and using programs.
If you already have Windows 8.1 installed on your computer, you can download Update 1 for Windows 8.1 for free by using Windows Update which is found in your PC settings, or the Control Panel in Windows Explorer.
You would need to install Windows 8.1 for free from the Windows 8 App Store found on the Start Screen before you can install Update 1 if you are still using Windows 8 instead of 8.1 . Windows 8.1 and Update 1 are both free if your computer is using Windows 8. But, if you are using Windows 7, you would need to upgrade your computer to Windows 8.1 by buying the Windows 8.1 install disc which cost $99 and up depending on the version.
Windows 8.1 with Update 1 runs fast on my older year 2007 computer with only 1GB of RAM, a Dual-Core 1.86 GHz CPU, and 320GB hard drive. I mostly use my desktop computer for using Firefox web browser, and Firefox runs pretty smoothly in Windows 8.1 with all the latest updates, and Update 1 installed on Windows. Windows 8.1 with Update 1 runs faster than Windows Vista and 7 on my old computer from 2007, and 8.1 uses less RAM than 7, so my computer runs faster because it does not run out of RAM as often in Windows 8.1.
Windows 8.1 with Update 1 also did not break down while I use it everyday since it released a week a go, so it is reliable for a Windows operating system.
After logging into Windows 8.1, the Task Manager Program in Windows say it uses under 500MB of RAM, and 1-5% CPU cycles. The low resource usage of Windows mean I have more free RAM, and CPU cycles which I can use for running programs, and games.
Installing Update 1 for Windows 8.1 is easy. I just need to use Windows Update in Windows 8.1, and install all my updates, and lastly install Update 1, and restart my computer.
The Windows 8.1 App store also downloads, and install Windows Store apps in a few minutes. The Store also runs quickly, and load pages in a few seconds.
Windows 8.1 now has a right click mouse menu on the full screen start screen, so I can easily remove or add shortcuts to the start screen, or right click shortcuts to run them as an administrator. There is also now a minimize, and close button on the top right of full screen apps like the Windows 8.1 store, Reader, Mail, etc.
It is also now easier to shutdown, restart, and lock Windows 8.1 from the Start screen menu because there is a power button shortcut on the Top right of the Start screen. There is also a search shortcut for searching for files, settings, etc.
All the previous updates from Windows 8.1 like the Startbutton on the bottom left, and the boot to desktop button is on Windows 8.1 with Update 1.
If you need a startmenu for Windows 8-8.1, I recommend you install a free startmenu program called Classic Shell which adds the classic startmenu from Windows 7 to Windows 8-8.1, and also let you disable the hot corners, and boot Windows to the classic desktop for keyboard and mouse users. The Startmenu also have a shortcut for easily shutting down Windows from the startmenu.
Windows 8.1 is also still very reliable when I use 8.1 with all the latest updates installed. Windows rarely freezes, and crashes when I use Windows for web browsing, office work, watching video, listening to music, and gaming.
Windows 8.1 with Update 1 is a faster on slower computers with only 1GB of RAM, and a 1GHz CPU. It is easier to use, and reliable update for keyboard and mouse because of improvements like a new right-click mouse menu in the start menu launcher, and displaying buttons for apps in the taskbar, boot to desktop, and close and minimize for full screen Windows store apps.
Thank you for this post. I just purchased a ASUS Eeebook, which has Windows 8.1 and am quite pleased with both the notebook and the operating system. So far, everything has run very smooth and fast. Seems a lot faster than my 2012 Dell Pavilion with a Windows 7 operating system. Mind you, I have a lot more programs operating on that computer. That’s great that Windows 8.1 runs so well on a 2007 era desktop for you. That is good to know.
I recently upgraded to 3GB of RAM on my year 2007 desktop, and it now runs even better. I can finally play games like Need for Speed World MMO on higher video quality settings.
Good for you re upgrading your RAM to 3 GB. I had a 2007 Acer that I ended up recycling because it slowed to a crawl. If I had upgraded the RAM to 3 GB, like you did and to Windows 8.1 I’d be able to play Need for Speed on it. I do love how light and compact my Asus Eeebook is though. It is less than a kg! My old Acer laptop must have weighed a good 5 kg! Keep up the good work with your blog. I started blogging four months ago and am really enjoying the process. It sure eats up a lot of time though! Have a super Friday!
Christopher
PS – I think I’ll do a review of my Asus Eebook with Windows 8.1 one of these days. Someone out there might find it useful.
I agree, it is amazing how lightweight Windows 8.1 is, and how doing small and affordable upgrades like upgrading the 3GB of RAM could improve 8.1 performance more. Your Asus Eeebook sounds pretty nice. Thanks for the nice comment on my blog. Good luck with your blog as well.
I will find a review of the Asus Eebook with Windows 8.1 useful since I’m still using a old HP Windows Vista laptop which is the only Windows laptop I own, so I be interested in the Asus Eebook laptop when it is time to finally replace my Vista laptop.
Your welcome for the complement on your blog. There are so many blogs out there with sub-par content or blogs where the blogger has given up and abandoned the blog that it is really nice to find blogs like yours.
I will let you know when I write the review on my Asus Eeebook.