Windows 8.1 To Be Released Digitally October 17, Hit Store Shelves October 18

Microsoft has announced its official Windows 8.1 launch date: October 18.  So mark your calendars!  Now, that date is when the free update for Windows 8 users arrives in-store as boxed software as well as on new devices and computers, according to the official Microsoft Windows blog.  However, digital downloaders may receive their update a day earlier.

If plan to buy the update digitally, you may get access to the updated operating system a day earlier depending on where you live in the world. The update rollout begins October 18 at midnight New Zealand time, which means 4AM PT on October 17 if you’re on the west coast of the U.S. or 8AM EST for us east coasters.  However, if you are looking for a boxed copy or brand new computer, that will only arrive the next day.

Windows 8.1 fixes and improves several things that were wrong in Windows 8, including bringing back the start button.  Microsoft is also offering support for 3D printing and pre-installing Skype in Windows 8.1.

Are you excited for Windows 8.1?  Do you think Microsoft will get it right this time around or not?  Let us know in the comments.