When you want to install Windows 8.1 (Preview) on a Windows RT device, but not sure how to recover back just follow this guide. It can be used for repair also, so having a USB Recovery Drive is always a good option! In my case I use it for a Surface RT 32GB.
To create a USB Recovery Drive for Windows RT, simply use the step-by-step guide below:
1. Plug in a USB drive with at least 4GB of free space to your Windows RT device (Surface).
2. While in Windows Desktop, open Windows Explorer, click Desktop and select Control Panel.
3. From Control Panel, select "System and Security" and then "File History".
4. Next, in the bottom-left corner of the window, tap "Recovery", and then select "Create a Recovery Drive".
The recovery wizard will launch and guide through, then it will copy the recovery partition to the USB drive. After that it's possible to delete the recovery partition to clean up diskspace on your Windows RT device (Surface). I didn't do that, just for sure..
With the recovery partition you can repair Windows RT anytime! When Windows RT will not boot, use these steps for repair:
Warning: Be advised that following these instructions will reset Windows RT to factory settings, which means that all data and settings will be wiped out! Proceed with caution.
1. Shut down your Windows RT device (Surface) and insert the USB Recovery Drive.
2. While holding down the "Volume Down" switch, press and release the Windows RT Start button. After a few moments, the device will start and loads the recovery partition.
Follow the onscreen instructions to reset your Windows RT device.
The USB Recovery Drive is very handy when your Windows RT device will not boot properly. It can be used to recover back or repair your device (Surface). Hope it helps!
Good news, after many announcements yesterday at TechEd 2013 Europe, Microsoft announces Windows 8.1 Preview today during Build conference in San Francisco, CA.
You can go to preview.windows.com and download the update for your Windows 8 x86/x64 and RT devices.
You will be prompted to grab a standalone Windows Update install to prepare your system. When that update is installed - and your device reboots - you will get an immediate prompt to head into the Windows Store and download the entire update.
If you are a TechNet or MSDN subscriber you can download the Windows 8 x86/x64 ISO’s immediately. For Windows RT you must go to preview.windows.com to get it done.
Let's download the bits and start installing evaluations! Hope to upgrade my notebook and Surface RT soon :-)
Microsoft has confirmed that the successor to Windows 8 will roll out later this year. Windows 8.1 would be released in late June already as a preview during the Build conference in San Francisco!
The new version of Windows is codenamed Windows Blue, and is expected to essentially be an update (no Windows 9). Microsoft says it will let the company respond to the customer feedback since the launch of Windows 8 and RT. Among the feedback Microsoft have listened to is to (probably) bring back the Start button.
Microsoft announced that it has now sold more than 100 million Windows 8 licenses, and over 250 million Windows Store downloads. That means that after 6 months Windows 8 is now selling equal with Windows 7, which also hit the 100 million licenses mile marker in a 6 month period. And it did it on a lot of devices.
Microsoft says some 2,400 devices are now certified for Windows 8 and RT. Generally speaking this is pretty good news for Microsoft. The retail launch for Windows 8.1 is planned for August this year. The upgrade will be free for Windows 8 users. More news soon!
Source: multiple websites
When I'm talking about Windows 8 at customers they say, first wait for Service Pack 1. For Windows 7 it's the same. After installing Service Pack 1, there are still more then 100 critical and security updates needed. There is no Service Pack 2 yet, so no way to create an easy up-to-date OS image. The reason for this is Microsoft doesn't want to release Service Packs anymore, but they need to. Windows 7 SP2 and Windows 8 SP1 should come in late 2013 or early 2014. Till then monthly updates will be released as usual.
Microsoft is busy writing a big update for Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows Phone 8 and Xbox 360 called Windows 8.1 also known as "Blue". Windows Server 2012 will have it's own R2 update also. In late June the release will be showed on the Microsoft Build Developer conference. The final 8.1 update is planned for October this year. This update brings more integration between Windows devices and a better SkyDrive experience. Also the Start button will be back, and it's possible to start to desktop again after boot.
Because of bad sells, Windows 8 needs a big update. For myself I'm happy to own an Xbox 360, Surface and Windows Phone 8 already. That way I can experience "Blue" on all devices when it's released later this year. Let's hope Windows 8.1 will be great!
