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by JB Burke

Q. I've heard that Windows 8.1 soon won't be supported by Microsoft, just like Windows XP. Windows XP is old, but 8.1 is a new operating system new. How can that be?

A. What you've heard seems to be true. As odd as that may seem, Microsoft was decided that in order to continue support for Windows 8.1, you must have also installed Windows 8.1 Update 1. Windows 8.1, and 8.1 Update 1 both make significant moves toward making Windows 8.0 more user friendly to those who have desktop or laptop computers without touch screens. As you are no doubt aware, Windows 8.0 had not been received well, since Microsoft tried to glue a touch screen operating system to a "normal" desktop operating system, making each somewhat difficult to use. The trade press has been merciless in its criticism of Windows 8, and there have been very low adoption rates.

Windows 8.1 made some concessions to those of us who have normal desktops or laptops with a mouse and keyboard, and Windows 8.1 Update 1 takes those moves even farther along to make it easier to use. So apparently Microsoft has decided that, in order to continue to make the OS friendlier for mouse/keyboard users, it must build upon the 8.1 Update 1 base. So, if you have a computer with Windows 8 and a keyboard and mouse, and no touch screen, install Windows 8.1, which you must obtain online through the Microsoft Store. Then promptly install Update 1, which should arrive as a normal Windows update.

Published: Courier 4/20/14 - Page 4C