Customer Ratings & Reviews

First: Win 8.1 forces you to establishes a computer password, despite your wishes to the contrary. You are forced to establish an email address and password for Microsoft which then locks your computer from your personal use every time you restart, which means for any update of software. I HATE this. Second: Win 8.1 has improved their tiles to allow you to reach a browser window with a single click but apps like Skype occupy an entire page and accessibility is awful as you have to use the Windows key to exit almost everything and reach a familiar set up. If you are a gamer, this will drive you mad. Third: Why did Microsoft choose to reinvent the wheel? We had an operating system that worked perfectly prior to Win 8. It was familiar and easy to access and use. Now we get large tiles that we must navigate through, ugh. So, do what I do, open the browser window & you will get the old familiar task bar, well almost. There's still no start menu for such convenient things as "shut off, restart, programs" but still better than nothing. I loved Win3 and Win7, hated Win8, don't much like Win8.1, perhaps Win9 will be a huge improvement and return us to Win7 features but retain the multi-tasking. NO MORE TILES!!! If you have Win7 hang on to it as long as possible. I don't think you will perceive Win8.1 as progress.

If you're going to upgrade to Windows 8.1 , then I recommend the cd version. This way you will have a restore disc and not be forced to make one. The software is very nice!

I am not one to try "to fix it if it ain't broke", or upgrade something that is already doing exactly what I want it to do. I do regular maintenance to all my computers, and marginally prefer my PCs to my Mac, even though I do a lot of digital imaging and design work. I needed to buy an operating system for a desktop PC that I received from a friend and wanted to replace the Ubuntu OS that was on it. Windows 8.1 was available, and I thought that it would be good to at least give it a try, even though I am still an XP fan, which never crashes and everything is easy to find and customize. I was surprised at how robust Win 8.1 is, and once I figured out how to get rid of those annoying "tiles" on the desktop, I have found it to be very easy to use. So far, no complaints, no failures, just good, quick computing.

Ok, so let me start by saying how Very Pleased I am with Sam and all the other members of the Geek Squad on Jonestown Road PA. Sam Associate # 1062477 - installed Windows 8.1 - Windows on my computer when I needed to upgrade my Hard Drives that were failing Please see Link Below........ http://www.bestbuy.com/site/windows-8-1-windows/1805813.p?id=1219064868521&skuId=1805813 So Far, I LOVE Microsoft Windows 8.1 . It does take a little getting used to. I was running Windows Vista Ultimate, but 8.1 has FAR LESS Problems with Compatibility . Sam also Installed a Solid State Main Hard Drive for my Operating System, a Seagate 3 TB storage Drive, a new Power Supply and transferred the data from my old Hard Drives. My Computer Now Runs like a BEAST ! I know you may hear a lot and perhaps see a lot of Bull out there concerning Customer Service, but please let me assure you that The Geek Squad at Best Buy is the REAL DEAL !!! I love the Choices Sam Referred for me and Simply Stated, I Just Can't SAY ENOUGH about how Courteous, Friendly, Helpful, Professional and Knowledgeable the Members of the Geek Squad ARE !!! Please Don't waste your time going anywhere else ! BEST BUY ! and the Geek Squad ! are all You Need to Know about Anything from Computer Tech, Home Audio, Home Theater, and ANYTHING Electronic !!! Go to Best Buy and See for Yourself These Guys are The REAL DEAL ! You will not only be Happy but you'll be Amazed ! THANKS a LOT BEST BUY and all the Guys at the geek Squad I Am and Will Remain a Loyal Best Buy Customer ! Lawrence O

I purchased this for my job and installed it on a SSD. It works great and is easy to install and use. Of course it has all the latest updates which helps with compatibility with your hardware. So I didn't have to do anything extra it was just point and click the mouse and type a few things in. Its good to go.

I purchased windows 8.1 on disk. it was easy to install on my new Western Digital Hard drive. I was unaware of a few things about Win 8.1 that has caused more stress than is necessary. It loads up quickly, my computer is ready to use in 60 seconds. Windows 8.1 will not play a dvd. it will recognize it and tell me there is information on it, but will not play it. There have been some quirks regarding the media players, the user accounts, the transfer of information between user accounts, the list goes on and on. After fixing all of the issues, windows 8.1 works the way i can associate with. I hope Windows 10 is offered at a free upgrade and i hope it comes soon. Windows 8.1 works great on the touch screen tablets i use at work, but is frustrating on my home PC without a touchscreen.

I have never used Windows 8 until I my neighbor asked me to help her when she bought a new computer. Windows 8 was difficult to navigate, but after 2 hours, I learned enough to guide her through the process. I had Windows 7 on my PC, but my hard-drive died. I bought a new hard-drive which meant I had to buy new software. I was skeptical about the Windows 8.1, but I figured "what the heck" and had it installed. Using what I learned from Windows 8, I quickly realized that W 8.1 is a LOT easier to use. It's not necessarily user-friendly and there could be a better tutorial to get started, but I have great satisfaction in self-discovery. I prefer Windows 7, but there's no going back, only moving forward. Windows 8.1 works for me.

No problem installing on my computer! It works better than my windows 7. Fast install.

I ended up upgrading an 8 year old laptop to this with a new SSD as well. I only used the 32bit version (comes with both) because 64bit wasn't really out then. Took some time getting use to all the new features but once you figure out how you want to use it, it's actually a great OS. No issues so far and I'm glad I waited for the 8.1 version which had all the fixes from the "testers" before hand.

Great operating system. Very fast and reliable. Although many people don't like the user interface, or the tiles at startup, I don't mind them. They can be helpful and really useful once you play around and figure it out. Overall, I really like it and don't have any real complaints.

Until now, I've mostly heard bad things about Windows 8 so I was a bit cautions about upgrading. I REALLY like it! It is very simple and intuitive to use. It also runs very fast on my ~2 year old Dell laptop. Now, I will say that I am not using a touch screen so my opinion may differ if I were. I am looking forward to see what Windows 10 brings!

Win 8.1 is a decent OS which is easy to learn. I purchased this product only because I like to have hard copies of my OS I do not trust the integrity of downloaded OS. Only problem with 8.1 is the removal of DVD playback which is not the end of the world, I solved this problem by installing VLC media player. Overall this OS does have learning curves for many who are used to previous versions of WIN OS and the removal of such features like DVD playback have caused an unnecessary inconvenience.

I upgrade from vista and it is so much better, speed and performance wise.

I bought the software for a new computer build. There is really nothing more to say. Software loaded up and works as it is supposed to. I have been using windows 7 for a long time...but I love the new features in Windows 8.

Very easy to load. Computer runs much better than before

With version 8.1 and the ability to keep a desktop to Windows 7, it has become easier to use. Although, I did put a lot of short-cuts on my desktop that was easily selected from the old Start Menu. Best part of Windows 8.1, it is like a desktop and tablet in one. Meaning you can go to the Microsoft store and download the latest app fads, while still being able to run intense software like Office and Photoshop.

I am primarily a Mac user and I do upgrades and repairs as a hobby. Windows 8 is actually similar in use to OS X and really not as difficult to use as many would suggest. I have it installed on a 9 year old HP desktop and it runs better than the original XP or Vista that I tried for a couple of months. Yes it is different....give it a chance and I think anyone will grow to like it much more than previous versions.

Ok, maybe that is a bit dramatic. I honestly believe that Microsoft is going to have to rethink the monetization of Windows going forward and as such, future generations of the Windows desktop/tablet/phone OS will be free. As for Windows 8.1, my impression is mostly indifferent with a touch of annoyance. The product installed easy enough but the interface is no great step forward. It seems like a lot of change for the sake of change. They could have very easily have made the OS intelligent about sensing the platform and disabling the "Metro" interface on desktops rather than to cram that cumbersome interface down my throat. If you are using a platform that is simple (one NIC, one monitor, blah, blah, blah) and are only doing basic web surfing then you probably will not have any issues with this version. If, on the other hand, you have a complex system with dozens of network interfaces, multiple monitors, a need to virtualized, and many applications to run you will probably find yourself going to Google early and often in the hopes of figuring out how to do whatever it is you want to do

The program was easier to use and functioned better than I had anticipated.

I purchased this product because I wanted to learn 8.1. I needed to get a little familiar with the OS, so when Windows 10 came out I was ready for the new changes it had to offer. Windows 8.1 reminds me of my tablet which has a lot of apps and so forth. For any one wanting to learn there away around the new Windows 10, I would suggest knowing a little of windows 8.1, 8 and even Windows 7 before jumping straight into Windows 10. I have not yet had the first problem with Windows 8.1. It seems to run just fine and I have yet to have any glitches. I am not afraid of change and neither should you. After all We do live in a world that is constantly changing!