Windows 8.1 was released in 2013 as a free update for Windows 8. It was sort of a service pack meant to fix Windows 8’s biggest flaws a year after it was released. As it turned out, many users categorically rejected the new start screen of Windows 8, with Windows 8.1 you could start directly on the desktop again. The start button also returned, but not the classic start menu. But Windows 8.1 wasn’t really able to turn things around either.
As Microsoft confirms, Windows 8.1 users are not caught in the update trap. Anyone using the system can switch to Windows 11 completely free of charge – albeit via a small detour. So you need to take advantage of Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 free upgrade first. In practice, this works with a tool like Windows 10 Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool. But don’t forget to make a backup first! Then perform the free update from Windows 10 to Windows 11 if the hardware used can do it.