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Windows 8.1 release coming in October [updated]

Updated Aug 14th, 2013 9:30AM EDT
Windows 8.1 Release Date

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The Windows update that luddites have kind of, sort of, maybe been waiting for is set for public release sometime in October. A report at ZDNet from the always-reliable Mary Jo Foley states that Microsoft is on track to make good on its promise to deliver the RTM (release to manufacturing) version of Windows 8.1 by the end of this month. Then, Foley says the final version of Windows 8.1 will launch to the public sometime in October. Windows 8.1 includes a number of updates, but the most talked about are likely the ability to boot and log in directly to the Desktop view, and the return of something that resembles a Start button but functions quite a bit differently.

UPDATE: Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 8.1 will be released to the public on October 17th at 7:00 a.m. Eastern.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.