Windows Phone 8.1 now available, download it now!

Windows Phone 8.1

It is almost 18 months since the last update for Windows Phone. Finally Microsoft is releasing Windows Phone 8.1 to developers today. This is important update to Windows Phone 8, features Cortana digital assistant, new Action center, skinned tiles and Start Screen.

windows-phone-8.1-preview

To update to Windows Phone 8.1 you first need to install Preview for Developers app on your Windows Phone first. Note that this update is available across all existing Windows Phone 8 devices. This app enables you to receive prerelease OS Update on you Windows Phone device directly from Microsoft. But before that you have to full one of the following three requirements in order to update you phone to Windows Phone 8.1.

  • Either have an Windows Phone Dev Center account
  • Or an active App Studio Account
  • Running a registered developer Device

If you take my point of view, go to App Studio and create an account there, it’s free and easy to use. Well if you are a professional developer than go for Dev Center account it will cost you some $19 and note if you are in US then it will cost $19 different regions can cost different amount.

After you have done installing the Preview for Developers app on your phone and created an Account on any of the above mentioned Center now open the app. And except term and conditions and enter the Microsoft account details. Once you are done a Success Message will be Displayed.

windows-phone-8.1-preview-update

Now go to Setting > Phone Update and Look for the Update. Given you are already running latest version of GDR 3 you will first get a minor update but don’t just stop there. You phone will restart after the first initial update, let it do, it willtake 10 to 15 mins or more but be patient and let it happen. Try updating again to get actual Windows Phone 8.1 update which is approximately 500 MB in size.

windows-phone-8.1-update

Happy Cortana Everyone 🙂 and Enjoy!