# Windows 8.1 > personal computer operating system by Microsoft that was released in 2013 **Wikidata**: [Q3569290](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3569290) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_8.1) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/windows-8-1 ## Summary Windows 8.1 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft and released on October 17, 2013. It is an instance of an operating system designed to manage computer hardware resources, serving as a successor to Windows 8 and a predecessor to Windows 10 Version 1507. The system was discontinued on January 10, 2023. ## Key Facts - **Developer:** Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation. - **Inception:** Released on October 17, 2013. - **Discontinuation Date:** January 10, 2023. - **Instance Of:** Operating system. - **Version:** 6.3.9600.17041. - **Working Title:** "Blue" (used during development). - **Platform:** ARM architecture. - **Distribution Format:** DVD-ROM. - **License:** End-user license agreement. - **Copyright Holder:** Microsoft. - **Country of Origin:** United States. - **Update Methods:** Windows Update, Microsoft Store, and disk image. - **GUI Toolkits:** Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows API, Windows Runtime, Media Foundation. - **Supported Languages:** Multiple languages (Wikipedia available in ar, en, zh, etc.). - **Website:** http://windows.microsoft.com/windows-8 ## FAQs **What is Windows 8.1?** Windows 8.1 is a personal computer operating system created by Microsoft. It was released in 2013 to manage computer hardware resources. **When was Windows 8.1 released and discontinued?** The operating system was released on October 17, 2013, and was discontinued on January 10, 2023. **What was the development codename for Windows 8.1?** During its development, Windows 8.1 used the working title "Blue." **What are the update methods for Windows 8.1?** Users can update the system via Windows Update, the Microsoft Store, or through a disk image. **What software is included or compatible with Windows 8.1?** The system includes components such as Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Security and Maintenance, and Microsoft Photos. It is compatible with software like Internet Explorer 11, Citavi, and Malwarebytes. ## Why It Matters Windows 8.1 serves as a critical update within the Microsoft Windows family, bridging the gap between Windows 8 and Windows 10. It introduced specific editions such as "Windows 8.1 with Bing," which was designed to lower device costs and drive usage of Microsoft services like Bing and OneDrive. As a platform utilizing the ARM architecture and Windows Runtime, it represented Microsoft's effort to unify the desktop and mobile experience before the eventual transition to Windows 10. ## Notable For - Being a personal computer operating system released by Microsoft in 2013. - Utilizing the development codename "Blue" prior to its official launch. - Introducing the "Windows 8.1 with Bing" SKU to encourage the production of low-cost devices. - Incorporating Microsoft Defender Antivirus as a core component for security. - Running on ARM architecture in addition to standard PC architectures. - Serving as a direct competitor to various Linux distributions and macOS in the desktop market. ## Body ### Development and History Windows 8.1 was developed by Microsoft, a technology corporation founded on April 4, 1975, and headquartered in Redmond, United States. The operating system was released on October 17, 2013. During its development phase, it carried the working title "Blue," referenced in Microsoft blogs on March 31, 2013. The system is classified as an operating system and is an edition or translation of Microsoft Windows. It was eventually succeeded by Windows 10 Version 1507. ### Technical Specifications The operating system carries the version number 6.3.9600.17041. It is distributed via DVD-ROM and utilizes several GUI toolkits and frameworks, including Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows API, Windows Runtime, and Media Foundation. The platform supports ARM architecture. Updates and package management are handled through Windows Update, the Microsoft Store, or disk images. ### Editions and Components A notable edition of the software is "Windows 8.1 with Bing." This reduced-cost SKU was introduced by Microsoft in May 2014 to promote low-cost Windows devices and increase the usage of Microsoft Services such as Bing and OneDrive. The operating system includes several built-in components: - **Microsoft Defender Antivirus:** An antivirus app and component of Windows Vista and later. - **Security and Maintenance:** A component responsible for monitoring security and performance metrics. - **Microsoft Photos:** A photo browser included with Windows. - **Microsoft Solitaire Collection:** A video game released in 2012. - **Internet Explorer 11:** The 2013 version of Internet Explorer. ### Hardware and Software Compatibility Windows 8.1 runs on specific hardware devices, including the **Microsoft Surface Pro** (released February 9, 2013) and the **Microsoft Surface Pro 2** (released October 22, 2013). It also supports the **Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro**, an Ultrabook-class convertible device. The system supports and runs various third-party and legacy software, including: - **Citavi:** Reference management software. - **3D Builder:** 3D modeling software. - **Windows Photo Gallery:** A discontinued image organizer. - **ReFS:** A next-generation Microsoft file system. - **Encrypting File System:** A feature in Microsoft Windows. - **Malwarebytes:** Anti-malware software. - **Solid Edge:** 3D modeling software. - **AIMP:** A media player. - **UltraVNC:** Remote desktop software. ### Market Competition Windows 8.1 competes with a wide array of operating systems in the desktop and server markets. Direct competitors include **macOS** (Apple's operating system) and various Linux distributions such as **Ubuntu**, **Fedora Linux**, **Linux Mint**, and **elementary OS**. It also faces indirect competition from **ChromeOS**, **FreeBSD**, **OpenBSD**, and **ReactOS** (an open-source alternative compatible with Windows NT-based systems). Other competitors include **CentOS**, **Slackware**, **Gentoo Linux**, **BeOS**, and **FreeDOS**. ### Related Entities The operating system is related to **Windows RT**, a discontinued mobile operating system developed by Microsoft and released on October 26, 2012. The copyright for Windows 8.1 is held by Microsoft, and the software is characterized as copyrighted. It has a presence on various knowledge platforms, including a Wikidata description, a Quora topic ("Windows-8-1-1"), and a Stack Exchange tag ("windows-8.1"). ## References 1. lobid 2. [Source](http://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/news/2014/04/Windows-8.1-Update.aspx) 3. [Source](http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_blog/archive/2013/03/26/looking-back-and-springing-ahead.aspx) 4. Quora 5. KBpedia 6. [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (Operating System) - SteamGridDB](https://www.steamgriddb.com/game/5269188)