Win8.1 Update questions

Now I'm confused.

I thought the VP8 came with Windows 8.1 from the start.

I've been looking around for info on 8.1.1, which I hadn't heard about before this, and from what I can tell, it appears that what is called 8.1.1 are just updates to 8.1 that come through the regular Windows update procedure.

I'm on my desktop right now, which I updated from 8 to 8.1.  I never updated to anything called 8.1.1, but I just tested one of the so called 8.1.1 features (pinning a start button (the Windows Store) to the desktop} task bar, and it worked.

Is there anything more to this?

p.s. All that said, with 4 PCs going, I sometimes do have memory issues, remembering what I did when to which PC :emotion-6:

Jeff is correct.  What you're referring to as 8.1.1 is "Windows 8.1 Update", typically referred to as "Windows 8.1 Update 1".  

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/whats-new

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/install-latest-update-windows-8-1

That is simply an update you'll get via Windows Update (It's actually called KB2919355).

I'm not sure what you mean by "now abandoned level"  The new update is still supported and being delivered.

Yes, now I remember. Those new features mentioned in the link above, became available after an update to 8.1.  They all work on my desktop, but some, like the Power Icon at the top right of the Start Menu do not appear on small tablets (without register tweaking *).  It also appears that some of the default setting are different on a tablet, then they are on a desktop PC (or maybe larger tablet).  For instance, the taskbar option (taskbar properties) to show open Microsoft Store apps on the desktop taskbar is turned on on my desktop PC, but not on my tablet.

* http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-update-1-tip-toggle-power-button

Thanks for the comments. The Update is actually referred to by msoft as "windows 8.1 Update" notice the capital "U" as part of the name.

It is a mess as msoft decided that as of June 13th, anyone who had not updated their existing "win8.1" to the "win8.1 Update" would no longer get further updates to win8.1. It would be stuck at the last update as of June 13th.

To add to the confusion, they will continue to update win8.0 and win8.1-Update. I really cannot see the reasoning behind it but then there is little that msoft does that makes a whole lot of sense.

win8.0 - still gets update

win8.1 - not updated by June 13th,  no more updates

win8.1 Update - still gets update

My concern was that this new tablet may have been sitting in Amazon stock since before June 13th with the pre-June level of 8.1 and now no longer update-able to the latest and future revisions for win8.1 Update.

Looking at it now, it appears that it has the post-June update (Search icon top right) but I am about to check the installed KBs as soon as it is finished charging. There was a loooong delay between ordering and shipping so it may have been getting the new update. The box was factory sealed so it probably came direct from Dell after getting the Update update. :)

As for the on/off icon, tablets are now grouped by msoft as a quick start mobile device and they do not get the no/off icon on the screen by default. I think if they have a mouse attached (OTG USB) at boot up, they may then show the on/off and also boot straight to the desktop. I will be testing for all that soon.

Glad you got the update then!  I'm positive there is no such thing as a Windows 8.1 machine that would ever be incapable of receiving Windows 8.1 Update.  The Windows 8.1 Update is just a required update you'd have to take (which comes in the same form as every other update, via Windows Update), before you'd get additional updates.  There's no situation where you'd be stuck at a Pre-Windows 8.1 Update level.

I think the term "windows 8.1 Update" Is confusing.

I believe that is the update from windows 8 to windows 8.1.

Windows 8 is no longer updated, so it was necessary to update from win8 to win 8.1

Updates to win 8.1 continue to come in via the windows update system.

Clearly, the terminology here is creating an issue.  Yes, if you want to stay on Vanilla Windows 8.1, and NOT move to Windows 8.1 Update, then you will be at risk of future security holes discovered.  But, at any point in the future, you could decide you would like to move to Windows 8.1 Update, and you will then be completely covered for all security updates.  There will never be a point where you will be stuck on Vanilla Windows 8.1 with absolutely no ability to update to Windows 8.1 Update.  Yes, that is an unequivocal statement that I'm standing by and is agreed to in the links you provided:

"In English: If you have not installed Update 1 by 13 May then Windows 8.1 will no longer receive security updates until you do. "

>> There's no situation where you'd be stuck at a Pre-Windows 8.1 Update level.

Um, the danger of making an unequivocal statement is, you stand the chance of being proven wrong. I will leave that issue to just two links, but if you want more then google "windows 8.1 update cutoff"

The articles state May13th, but msoft extended it to June 13th.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/04/15/microsoft-abandons-windows-8-1-take-immediate-action-or-be-cut-off-like-windows-xp/

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Keen-to-Cut-Off-Windows-8-1-Patches-Despite-8-1-Update-Installation-Errors-441517.shtml

As it happens I have now checked  V8pro and it is at the current, full and future update-able win 8.1 Update.