How to Get Your Hands on Windows 8.1 Today

Earlier Adopters of Windows 8 and Windows RT are welcomed to the Windows 8.1 party today by a change in the Windows Store app. As of 7am EST, the store front now offers shoppers a quick-click tile to initiate the upgrade to Windows 8.1.

Clicking on the tile, the Store will detect the version of Windows 8 you are running and initiate the installation. I have my Surface Pro and Lenovo Tablet 2 running the upgrade side-by-side right now and the Surface Pro is installing Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center, while the Lenovo is installing just Windows 8.1 Pro.

I'll be upgrading my Windows 8 desktop a bit later on, and of course let you know how it goes. In the meantime, I'll be watching the Surface Pro and Lenovo to see who wins the upgrade race.

Those who didn't take the Windows 8 plunge already will have other options when Windows 8.1 is available to purchase electronically in the Windows store and in retail stores in a few more hours.