Beginning June 26, users will be able to download the beta or preview version of Windows 8.1 fairly simply, via the Windows Store. But Microsoft officials confirm that upgrading to the final RTM build will include a gotcha—you’ll need to reinstall all of your apps.
Put another way, Windows RT users will be forced to reinstall all of the “Metro” apps (now known as modern apps) they’ve added to the OS, once the final RTM version is released.
And Windows 8 users will be forced to reinstall
all of the modern-stype apps
and all of the desktop apps they’ve added—a real pain for anyone with a well-populated system,
according to ZDNet, which first reported the story.
However, if the average user opts out of the Windows 8.1 beta and decides instead to upgrade to Windows 8.1 when it is finally released, they will not be required to reinstall their applications, Microsoft representatives confirmed. The Windows 8.1 preview is meant for enthusiasts and IT pros.
