For consumers with Windows 8 devices today, Windows 8.1 will be a free update via an easy download from the Windows Store* starting on October 18th**. Windows 8.1 will be a must-have update for those devices - bringing new features and improvements such as greater personalization, Bing Smart Search, and more than 20 new and improved Microsoft apps and services. We are excited to be delivering such an important update to customers in just one month and nearly a year after launching Windows 8. However we also recognize there will be some folks who may want to upgrade devices running older versions of Windows to Windows 8.1. The information in this blog post is meant for those people.
Consumers who are not using a Windows 8 device will be able to buy Windows 8.1, either as a download from Windows.com or at your local store as a retail packaged DVD product. While pricing varies by market, in the U.S., Windows 8.1 will be available for $119.99 ERP (U.S.) and Windows 8.1 Pro will be available for $199.99 ERP (U.S.). The pricing and editions for Windows 8.1 are similar to what we have today for Windows 8.
One shift to note in Windows 8.1 is that we will be offering “full version software” at retail and online for download that does not require a previous version of Windows in order to be installed. The copy of Windows 8 that is currently available for sale at retail and online is an “upgrade version.” This shift allows more flexibility for customers in specific technical scenarios and is in response to feedback we’ve received. It will be easier for those consumers who want to build PCs from scratch, run Windows 8.1 in Virtual Machine (VM) environments, or run Windows 8.1 on a second hard drive partition.
For non-Windows 8 devices, here is how upgrading to Windows 8.1 using the retail DVD and download software will work:
Windows 7: Consumers can upgrade a Windows 7 PC which will bring along all their files, but will require them to reinstall desktop apps including Microsoft Office.
Windows XP & Windows Vista: Windows 8.1 is not designed for installation on devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista. Although not designed or recommended for devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista, consumers still wanting to upgrade from Windows XP or Windows Vista should buy the retail DVD instead of using the download and boot from the DVD to do a clean install of Windows 8.1. Note: files, settings and programs will not transfer – Consumers will need to back up their files and settings, perform clean installation, and then reinstall their files, settings and programs.
If you buy a device later this year that comes with the Windows 8.1 edition, you will be able to purchase the Windows 8.1 Pro Pack for $99.99 ERP (U.S.), which unlocks all of the great features unique to Pro, as well as Windows Media Center. If you are on Windows 8.1 Pro, you can buy Windows Media Center for $9.99 (U.S.).
If you are on the market for a new device today, I suggest taking advantage of our PC Selectorto find the right Windows 8 device that is perfect for you. And remember, you will be able to update your device to Windows 8.1 for free through the Windows Store.
Windows 8.1 evolves Windows 8, bringing the latest advancements in hardware, apps and services and the OS to enable a unique experience in everything you do.
More to come on Windows 8.1 including new devices and retail offers as we near October 18th!
* Internet access required; fees may apply. ** Starting at 4:00am October 17th in Redmond.
Not always do you see Microsoft talk about future strategy in such detail, but the company was in a candid mood at the 2013 financial analyst meeting that took place on Thursday.
Terry Myerson, the head of Microsoft’s Operating Systems division confirmed that offering a common experience across all Windows devices is a priority for the company right now — and this means desktops, tablets and smartphones could be unified.
The senior executive explained that users should be provided with the same apps no matter what Microsoft platform they are using, and this means that the separate app stores could be merged in the very near future, probably with Windows 9:
“We really should have one silicon interface for all of our devices. We should have one set of developer APIs on all of our devices. And all of the apps we bring to end users should be available on all of our devices.
Each of our devices require a tailored experience to be really special for the customer, whether that’s a three-inch phone, or it’s a 9-inch tablet, or a 14-inch clamshell, or a 60-inch television playing Xbox games, we want to facilitate the creation of a common, a familiar experience across all of those devices, but a fundamentally tailored and unique experience for each device.”
In fact, this is what a development team in Redmond was working on:
“We had a core team that will bring those silicon interfaces together, bring those developer platforms together, approach delivery of apps to the customers in a common way. We have one team delivering the core services that will light up our devices. And then we have satellite teams each focused on each of the device categories, so each of them can be reflective of what the customer expects in that place.”
Myerson also confirmed in his keynote that Microsoft was moving in very fast with this vision.
Although it may take a while for this to become official, but there have been plenty of rumors before this that Windows 9 could merge Windows RT and Windows Phone platforms together. And considering this has become a priority for the company, a feature like this could be here sooner rather than later.
Have anything to say on this important confirmation? Fire up a comment below!
The quest for a new Microsoft CEO continues. Recent reports confirm that the company is looking at both internal and external choices, and we have some new names joining the race (ha!).windows 8 key office 2013 key in mskeyoffer.com
The latest on this matter is that at least 3 investors are now interested in seeing Ford’s Alan Mulally head up the Redmond Empire.
Reuters is claiming, citing sources that have asked not to be named, that both Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Computer Sciences CEO Mike Lawrie are now in the mix. Board members have asked the special committee tasked with finding a new leader to place them on the shortlist.
In fact, it seems that the list that Microsoft is looking at has come down to 40 different candidates, both internal and external — Mulally, Lawrie, and former Nokia boss Stephen Elop, however, are in pole-position for this esteemed and important job..
Alan Mulally, 68, a former Boeing engineer, is currently one of the most illustrious names in the business world. He is credited with helping Ford get back on track while coping with the economic recession that hit the Detroit Three back in 2009.
While Mulally very recently reiterated that he wanted to stay with Ford until at least 2014, it seems that the automaker’s board could let him go in case he gets a better offer.
Microsoft recently made it official that current CEO Steve Ballmer would retire within the next 12 months, even as the technology titan recent kicked off a reorganization plan with the aim of getting it closer to a devices and services concept instead of just a software firm.
Redmond is doing a grand jobs of juggling two of its operating systems together, with Windows 8 and Windows 7 both being positioned towards users and businesses that are planning to upgrade from older versions of the OS, particularly Windows XP.
And even though Windows 8 is taking up most (almost all) of the advertising spotlight, Windows 7 still remains a pretty fine choice of many users that want a more familiar working environment.
This is why technology analyst Jeff Kagan believes that Microsoft should keep both operating system alive and allow customers the choice of going for a traditional desktop UI, or the more advanced Metro interface of its latest platform.
“Can Microsoft save Windows 8? Let me be clear. Innovation is key. That’s the secret sauce. However it’s more than just innovation. It’s taking care of customers. And that’s where Microsoft is failing.
Microsoft needs to focus on keeping customers happy and innovating. Since Windows 8 is a total re-write, and since many customers prefer Windows 7, my recommendation is they keep both. Let the user choose the operating system they want. Don’t force a round customer into a square hole.”
Round customer into a square hole, interesting way to put it!
Microsoft, nevertheless, seems very keen to make Windows 8 the primary choice for its user base around the globe. The software titan would be hoping that the platform increases its market share exponentially soon after Windows 8.1 hits general availability.
What is your take on this? Would it be worthwhile to keep Windows 7 in the mix, at least for the foreseeable future, at least for business users, or should Microsoft solely focus on its latest offering, Windows 8? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Microsoft Office 2013 RTM final has been released and is available for download. Today I got an email from Microsoft that I could download and installOffice 2013 Professional Plus 2013 and stop using Office 2013 Customer Preview. I wanted to search for Office 2013 direct download links for the final version so that I could keep an offline copy of the suite for chain installation in my network.
Office 2013 Professional Plus can be downloaded as a 60 day evaluation trial. It will be full featured in the trial period and will expire after that. You can also keep on using Office 2013 Customer Preview for the next two months.
System Requirements
Office 2013 comes for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. It comes with a touch friendly interface meaning that it will be usable on tablet PCs. Here is the complete requirement set of Office 2013 RTM:
Here is a note from Microsoft about these system requirements:
System requirements are rounded up to the nearest 0.5 GB, to be conservative. For example, if we measure an application’s required hard disk space to be 1.99 GB, we recommend 2.5 GB of disk space. Our hard disk system requirements are intentionally larger than the actual disk space usage of the software.
A graphics processor helps increase the performance of certain features, such as drawing tables in Excel 2013 or transitions, animations, and video integration in PowerPoint 2013. Use of a graphics processor with Office 2013 requires a Microsoft DirectX 10-compliant graphics processor that has 64 MB of video memory. These processors were widely available in 2007. Most computers that are available today include a graphics processor that meets or exceeds this standard. However, if you or your users do not have a graphics processor, you can still run Office 2013.
What is included in Microsoft Office 2013 Professional Plus?
You will find the following apps inside Office 2013 Pro plus suite:
Access 2013 – a database app from MS
Excel 2013 – the best spreadsheet program ever
InfoPath 2013 – Create stunning forms with live data feeds
Lync 2013 – a unified communications platform which lets users use features like making a call, keeping track of their contacts , send instant messages and join a audio/video conference.
Lync Server 2013 – The server of Lync will let you create your own communications server in your local area network environment. This will be very similar to having your own private Skype network.
Office Solution Management (Telemetry Dashboard) – Lets you manage add-ins in Microsoft Office.
OneNote 2013 – the best note taking app integrating seamlessly to many devices.
Outlook 2013 – an integrated collaboration suite including E-mails etc.
Project Professional 2013 – keeps track of your project perfectly.
Word 2013 – a feature rich word processing app.
Word 2013 now enables you to co-author a document with multiple authors at the same time. But for this, you will need to have SharePoint Foundation 2013 along with Microsoft ID for SkyDrive synchronization.
Office 2013 Direct Download Links
You can go to the Microsoft download page to register and download Office 2013. The benefit of registering is that you will get additional emails of resource guides to get started with Office 2013. Otherwise you can click on the following links to start the download process immediately.
You can download Office 2013 from the above direct download link and then apply a language pack to Office 2013 in order to convert it to another language. Otherwise, download the Office setup in your language from the below mentioned links.
Office 2013 download links for all languages
I have finally been able to get the direct download links for all the languages of Office 2013. Here’s the list:
All these links will download the IMG files instead of the EXE files. You will need to extract the IMG file and then run the setup.exe from the extracted files. To extract the files, I have used WinRAR which can be downloaded from here (32 bit, 64 bit). Although WinRAR is not free, you can run the trial version forever without paying anything. If you are not comfortable with WinRAR, you can always use free archiving programs like 7-zip.
Part of the reason why Google bought Motorola Mobility was its notable portfolio of technology patents. But things are not quite working out as well as Google may have desired.
Redmond has once again been declared victor in its long legal battle with Motorola Mobility over payments to use the patents. A jury in Seattle ruled that Motorola asked Microsoft to pay too much for use of its patents that are covered by reasonable and non-discriminatory (RAND) terms.
Reuters is reporting that the jury has ordered Motorola to pay $14 million in damages — a figure that includes $3 million in legal fees.
However, this amount is around half of what Microsoft originally wanted from Motorola. But despite its requested award being cut by 50 percent, Microsoft is pleased with the jury’s decision. As a Redmond spokesperson put it:
“This is a landmark win for all who want products that are affordable and work well together.”
Motorola, however, plans to file an appeal.
This, as you may recall, is the second time Microsoft has won a patent trail in the US against Motorola. A judge ruled in April this year that the company only had to pay $1.8 million to Motorola for use of its patents related to WiFi and H.264 video standards.
Back then, Motorola was asking for as much as $4 billion for use of its patents.
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If you want to run Windows 8 on your PC, here's what it takes:
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2 (more info)
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
Graphics card:MicrosoftDirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver
The below links are ISO files, but made into parts. Windows 8 Pro 32 Bit (x86):-
Microsoft is learning how to surprise the tech world like that fruity company. First there was the big announcement that the folks from Redmond would make their own line of tablets to compete with, well, their partners. Now comes the surprise unveiling of the purchase of Nokia's device business. That deal won't be consummated until early next year and Microsoft will need to hit the ground sprinting to make the big deal work. I have some suggestions how that might be done.
Own the brand
As a software licensor Microsoft has always had the luxury of leaving the crucial branding up to its partners. At the time of the acqusition Nokia accounts for over 80 percent of the market share in Windows Phone. That means that Microsoft basically owns almost the entire platform and brand with the purchase of Nokia's phone business.
Image credit: Nokia
What needs to be done is to leverage that fully right away. That means take over the brand of Windows Phone and lose the Lumia brand of Nokia. With Nokia basically being Microsoft, and Windows Phone firmly belonging to Microsoft, take over the brand completely. Make it clear that Nokia phones are now simply Windows Phones built by Microsoft.
This will be far better than the branding Nokia has been doing with its phones. Take a look at the Lumia 1020 in the image above. You only see a simple Nokia at the top and a Windows button at the bottom. Where's the clear Lumia branding or Windows Phone branding on the front of that phone? It's not there, a failure of branding.
Global coverage: Nokia Interim CEO: Microsoft deal makes us stronger | Even with Nokia devices, Microsoft wants to license Windows Phone to other makers | Does its Nokia buy thwart or fuel a possible Microsoft break-up? | Microsoft shows how to flush decades of Nokia goodwill away | Microsoft gets less than $10 per Windows Phone unit | Microsoft-Nokia deal: Reaction from the Twitter trenches | Elop drops Nokia CEO role to lead devices team under Microsoft deal | Microsoft-Nokia deal: 11 quick facts | Microsoft to buy Nokia's devices, services unit for $7.2B
Nokia is rumored to be readying a Windows RT tablet for market and if that's the case use the existing Surface brand. You want to keep things simple in consumers' minds so stick with Surface. Tack whatever you want after Surface but keep the Surface brand for the entire tablet line.
Microsoft wants to be a devices and services company, so make it clear from day one that's the case. The shiny new Windows Phone is exactly that, and a product of Microsoft.
Drop Windows Phone licensing
The most important task for Elop is to make him accountable for the success of Windows Phone.
It flies in the face with long-time corporate culture but it's time to stop licensing Windows Phone to other companies. The partners haven't done Windows Phone, and thus Microsoft, any favors with the few handsets they've released running your software. You owe them no favors in return.
As part of owning the brand, meet quietly with partners currently licensing Windows Phone and make it clear you'll keep supporting existing products but that's it. They're likely not going to drop Android and go Windows Phone given the competition from Microsoft anyway, so formalize the shut-down.
Run a massive advertising blitz
Hand-in-hand with owning the brand is raising awareness with the buying public that Windows Phone, handsets formerly from Nokia, and Microsoft are now the newest smartphone game in town. This advertising blitz should be everywhere in the US and Europe at first.
Everywhere they look, prospective buyers should see flashy ads that build a compelling use case for Windows Phone. If they turn on the TV for a while, they should see at least one Windows Phone ad. If they read a newspaper or magazine, the ads should be right there.
This campaign is going to be expensive but it is absolutely mandatory to increase awareness of the new phones from Microsoft. Compared to the purchase price of the Nokia business the expense of the advertising will be tolerable.
The objective is to drive home that Windows Phone does the things people want to do and that it's from Microsoft.
Task Elop with a concise plan for Windows Phone
Make it clear starting now that the Nokia business is gone and it's all Microsoft going forward. This will be hard for the former Nokia staff but this is business. Take the single brand seriously and leave no doubt that everything will be Microsoft and Windows Phone from now on.
Give Elop clear instructions to integrate the acquired Nokia organization as quickly as possible. It's a given that many of the adopted 32,000 Nokia employees will overlap with Microsoft's organization so quickly cut as many as possible. There's no sense continuing the massive staff costs so cut it fast. Have Elop do that smartly and by integrating as many of the best employees as possible into the Microsoft devices management structure.
Nokia has produced several Lumia handsets of varying capabilities and prices. Change the philosophy that Elop obviously had in this regard and drop down to just two handsets. You only need one high-end Windows Phone with a great camera and top-notch hardware. The other should be a more entry-level model with cheap components and a cheap price to match. The scattergun approach of having lots of devices with different features and capabilities just confuses the buyer. Avoid this at all costs.
The most important task for Elop is to make him accountable for the success of Windows Phone. That may sound harsh but let's face it, Microsoft has invested at least $10 billion dollars in Nokia at this point, and largely with Elop. Give him aggressive growth targets and make him hit them. Support him to help him get there but make it happen.
Distance the brand from feature phones
Contrary to official statements about feature phones they do not promote the Windows Phone brand. Sales numbers make it impossible to get rid of feature phones but do not sully the smartphone line by including them. Keep the branding far removed from Microsoft and Windows Phone. Perhaps it makes sense to continue the Asha brand.
Don't kid yourselves, feature phones will not lead customers to upgrade to Windows Phone smartphones. That misguided view reminds me of the "marijuana use leads to hard drug abuse". Sure some progress that way but I suspect the vast majority don't. Keep the smartphone business separate and distanced from the feature phone stuff.
Offer package deals
Attracting new customers is never easy but one tried and true method is the package deal. Make a shiny new Windows Phone hard to pass up when a Surface tablet is purchased. That means a very special price for the phone just for buying a tablet.
To avoid the carrier hurdle the phone should be unlocked if possible and advertising should explain it's all about choice. Otherwise make deals with the big four carriers (in the US) to give the customer options. This will make it clear that Microsoft has the customer's back as they can take the Windows Phone to any carrier they wish. Also show how the Windows Phone can be used to get that new Surface tablet online almost anywhere (tethering), and how easy that is to do.
Simplistic view?
These suggestions may seem simple on the surface but it will be a big task to do them properly. It will take a massive, concerted effort of a solid team to make them work but that's what will be needed to take full advantage of the big Nokia purchase.
Microsoft, take these suggestions in the vein in which they're offered. I want to see Windows Phone take off and be the major player in the smartphone space it should be. Competition is good and you're the best shot we have for that.
Elop will be under the gun as he should be. He's been a firm ally of Microsoft to be sure, but he's not achieved any significant level of success. It's time to hold his feet to the fire and make Windows Phone a household brand.
In a largely unexpected, but no less momentous move, Microsoft announced that it is acquiring Nokia’s devices and services business. As part of the handset business buyout, Stephen Elop, the former Nokia boss is now joining the software giant.
The former CEO of Nokia will lead the Devices unit at Microsoft.
But Stephen Elop has been considered, for a while now, one of the major candidates for leading the Redmond Empire, and the speculation only grew after Steve Ballmer made public his retirement plans.
And as things stand now, he is considered to be in pole position to take the reigns over from Ballmer.
Outgoing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has just now confirmed in a short statement that Stephen Elop is in the race of the vacant position. In fact, talking to The Seattle Times, Ballmer said that Elop has moved from being an external candidate to an internal one:
“Stephen will go from external candidate to internal. The board will continue to look at all appropriate candidates through that process.”
Nevertheless, Ballmer explained that all candidates have equal chances — the company is looking at every single name that it has on the short list.
Still, Stephen Elop, being a former Microsoft executive who left the company to lead Nokia, seems to possess what it takes to take over from Ballmer and ensure that the transformation plan that the outgoing CEO recently initiated back in July is executed to perfection.
Somewhat surprisingly, Microsoft has actually purchased Nokia’s Devices and Services unit.
This move brings the Lumia bran and line of phones finally under Microsoft’s full control. It also gives Microsoft total control of the largest Windows Phone 8 hardware supporter and finally, bragging rights to a completely integrated phone solution.
In the first quarter of 2014, Microsoft will pay 3.79 billion Euros for Nokia’s business, plus another 1.65 billion Euros for its portfolio of patents. 32,000 people are expected to transfer from Nokia to Microsoft, including 18,300 that are “directly involved in manufacturing.”
Just for laughs, (IMHO) EVP of Operating Systems Terry Myerson is stressing that Nokia wouldn’t automatically get priority when it comes to the Windows Phone OS. Just the same way Google has with done with Motorola, Myerson promised every partner would be treated the same.
YEAH RIGHT!!!!
As part of the agreement, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop is stepping aside; he’s now leading Microsoft’s Devices team.
