I’ve been anxiously awaiting the final version of Windows 8.1 for my Surface RT. I had the Windows 8.1 Preview, but it has some bugs. So at 7:00 AM sharp this morning I was trying to get the new version from the Microsoft web site.
Here’s what I had to do. First make sure you have all your Windows Updates installed: Charms | Settings | Change PC Settings | Update and Recovery | Windows Update | Check Now. Once that is done, click on this link ON YOUR SURFACE:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/update-from-preview
That will open the Store on your device ready do download the 2+ GB update. The device will restart a few times and you’ll be informed that you must re-install your applications. After that, you have to sign in with your Microsoft ID, select the background color, select a network and authenticate with it, and finally you’re running.
You do have to re-install all your apps, but it’s made simple for you. Your tablet shows the apps you already have just as they were before, only with a small down arrow symbol in the lower right corner, to indicate that they aren’t installed. Just click on the app to download it. You can tap, tap, tap all the icons and it will queue them up for download. That’s the easy part. If the app, such as Netflix, requires a sign on, you’ll have to do that again.
The most important question after the upgrade is whether Microsoft Solitaire Collection is fixed. It had some problems after the 8.1 Preview installation. It’s partly fixed, but partly broken. The part about a message overlaying the tableau and not clearing is fixed. However, the problem with the program locking up, and erratic card movement is not fixed. There is an additional problem with hints not finding possible moves and the game shutting down with “No more moves” when there are still moves that will improve your score. The cumulative scoring is all crazy too, zooming erratically around sometimes. It still starts slow, but even with all the problems, it is the prettiest of the Solitaire versions available.
Things fixed:
- Keying into certain edit boxes using the on-screen keyboard and Internet Explorer 11 Preview.
Things broken:
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection
Things look pretty much the same as before. The new Facebook app is marvelous.