after a week of trying, 2 ms techs on my pc, no upgrade from 8 to 8.1. it fails, so until the boys in redmond get it together, i'm on 8.

I have a very stable Windows 8 x64 install, and have ZERO plans to upgrade to 8.1 anytime soon.
 
I would much rather have a stable platform and crank out successful music projects than upgrade just for the sake of upgrading, particularly since there are SO many reported driver and application issues posted from folks who had issues going to 8.1 on their systems.
 
Over time, when 8.1 is better adopted by the folks who make my software and hardware, I will consider upgrading.  Until then, nope.
 
I am cheerfully going to get another cup of coffee and enjoy not worrying about crashing anything this morning, as I cruise through the day's music projects.
 
Bob Bone
 

Bob that is not unwise. I knew it would work on my system and all I really needed were Roland to supply drivers for my hardware and they did. So I upgraded and I am happy with it so far. Don't take what I posted in answer to Gswitz as it is just more the change of things that is bothersome not it as such. If for example 8.1 had been the first release I wouldn't have any gripe at all. 
 
 

I initially ran into problems with Sonar X3 on 8.1. It worked great on 8.1 preview, but was missing a dll file that wouldn't let me open Sonar. All is well now thanks to the info gathered on this thread: http://forum.cakewalk.com/SOLVED-Unable-to-install-64-bit-versions-of-X2-or-X3a-in-Windows-81-m2920849.aspx
 
What I'm seeing is less cpu usage on "8.1 / X3" vesus "8.1 preview / X3". I didn't load X3 on 8.0 so I can't offer any info about that.

I'm running 8.1 64 bit and X3c with no issues. Once I unchecked the 64 bit engine box I've had no noise issues.
The only third party plugs I use are a few Waves plugs and Ozone 5.
Another thing I've noticed, I can lower my record/playback buffers a lot lower than I could before. Before I never went below 512 or I had problems. I recorded a part with them set to 64 the other night with no hiccups or stutters. Don't know if itsX3 or Windows 8.1 or the combination but I like it.

I am watching how most of software behaves on 8.1. On my non-music computer all games (at least 5) installed fine (did not play them yet), but I can not use any Toolbars for Internet Explorer. Yahoo toolbar is not compatible. One problem I have is "Sleep". After update, it has hard time to sleep, and when it does sleep, the fans still running.
 
I used to use Win XP computer for years when everybody else was using Vista and Win 7. I do not upgrade just to upgrade. Right now Win 8 is very stable on my music computer, but I add different plug in products every month. And I can not stop. (lol). I dont like to install them "for now", worrying that it may or may not fail later when I update. The less stuff I have, the better it is for the update. I want to be past this milestone, count my losses and move forward. I dont want it hang over my head. Win 8.1 is not optional update. It is consequential update. Very soon they will require it in order to be able to install any security updates and service packs. I don't like to have to go trough the App Store just to start my computer because Microsoft blocks my computer, requiring update. It is better earlier than later. This way I would know what is not working and who to contact.
 
Steinberg tech support just told me that they not supporting 8.1 yet and will let us know when they do. I don't think it means- plugins would not work. I already have them installed, so if 8.1 installer runs- it would have to face it.

Here is another reply from Roland about V0Synth GT and Fantom G
"We have contacted Roland Japan and are trying to clarify the plans for Window 8.1 drivers for both the V-Synth GT and the Fantom. When we get information, we will post it here: http://www.rolandus.com/support/support_news/. You can subscribe to that page as a news feed to be notified when we post something there.
In the meantime, you can use an external MIDI interface to connect either of those keyboards to a computer running Windows 8.1. The drivers apply to the built-in USB interface capabilities."

  I updated to 8.1 from 8 without any issue. Not even a clean install.
  I've experienced no problems.  
  I've heard of some UAD2 problems. I haven't updated my UAD2 since version 6. something and the it's working fine. 

Because of this thread, I decided I didn't have a good reason not to take the plunge. I'm on 8.1 and all is well.

8.1 running well here. Roland Studio-Capture is running solid with latest drivers.
Anyone wanna buy a Echo Layla24?