How To Download Windows Phone 8.1 & Cortana In The UK

We show you how to download and install Windows Phone 8.1 ahead of its official UK release date

There’s a lot to like inside Windows Phone 8.1. Things like Action Center, the new Start Screen enhancements, baked in Skype-support, and the myriad of bug fixes, back-end changes and improved developer options. To be sure, Microsoft’s done its homework. And the end result is a platform that is now, more or less, on an even keel with Android and iOS. 2014/15 will no doubt be very interesting period for Microsoft. 

Even more so if Microsoft can sign up a few new hardware partners, firms like Sony, HTC and Samsung, for instance. Post-launch, Windows Phone 8.1 was well received, with plenty of excitement from the Windows Phone consumer and developer community. And one of the main reasons for that was because it features Microsoft’s long-awaited rebuttal to Google Now and Siri, Cortana. 

All users of Windows Phone 8.0 will be able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8.1 when it’s released to the public later this autumn. But for now developers can download the developer preview of the new OS and check out all the latest features – if they’re in the US, that is. As usual the UK gets shafted on some of the greatest features, like Cortana, until Microsoft adds regional support for it later this year. But fear not, we’ve discovered a way those in the UK can get Cortana on Windows Phone right now.

WARNING: If you install Windows Phone 8.1 on your device you will not be able to downgrade to Windows Phone 8.0. Once the new OS is installed, you’re stuck with it – bugs and all. That means if a critical bug becomes apparent there is no way for you to go back to the old, stable OS. Also note that installing a Windows Phone beta on your phone will likely void the manufacturer’s warranty. Given these two things please think carefully before installing the developer preview of Windows Phone 8.1. 

Now health and safety is done and dusted, here’s how its done:

1. Register as a Windows Phone developer. 

Did you read the warning above? Okay with it? Good. Now here’s what you need to do: Follow this link to the Windows Phone App Studio. You can do this on your Windows Phone or on your desktop. The Windows Phone App Studio is where you can register as a developer for free. You need to give them your name and email, along with other pertinent info. Once you’ve gone through all the steps you come to a "Ready. Set. Go. Done!" screen. This means you are registered as a Windows Phone developer. 

2. Install “Preview for Developers” from the Store.

Now on your Windows Phone 8.0 device open the Store. In the search field type “Preview for Developers” and then select it from the list of results. Scroll down and tap the Install button. 

3. Open Preview for Developers from your App List

Now go back to your Windows Phone Start screen and swipe left so you access your App List. Scroll down until you find “Preview for Developers” and tap on it. Go through all the legal disclaimers and accept everything and enter your information where Microsoft asks for it. 

4. Update your software

Now go to the Settings app and scroll down to where it says “Phone Update”. Tap “check for updates” and Windows Phone 8.1 will show and begin to download. This may take a while depending on your Internet speed. You’ll need to restart multiple times.

5. Update your speech settings

If you were in America, as soon as your Windows Phone restarted with 8.1 you’d be done and be able to use Cortana right away. But as I said, Brits get shafted and there are now several more steps you still need to go through to get to Cortana.

The first is you need to navigate to your Settings app and choose Speech. From the Speech Language drop down menu change “English (United Kingdom)” to “English (United States)”. Doing this will require your phone to download a 66MB update and necessitate a restart. 

6. Change your language

After the restart go back to your Settings app and choose Language. Tap “add languages” and then choose “English (United States)”. Note that if it adds “English (United States)” after the default “English (United Kingdom)” you’ll need to tap and hold and move “English (United States)” to the top of the list, or just delete “English (United Kingdom)” entirely. Again, a restart will be required.

7. Change your region 

After you restart your device go back into Settings once again and tap Region. Under “Country/Region” select “United States”. You also want to make sure “Regional format” is set to "match phone language”. Then, you know the drill, restart.

8. Open Cortana. 

I promise, that was the last restart! You’re totally done now with installs and setting changes, so once your phone restarts go to your App list and look under “C” and you’ll find Cortana. I would highly recommend pinning Cortana to the Start screen for easy access. But also note that pressing the hardware search button on any device running Windows Phone 8.1 will automatically launch Cortana. 

9. Tell Cortana your name. 

When you launch Cortana she’ll ask you what your name is. Type it into the text box provided. After it’s typed in Cortana will speak your name aloud. If this is the right pronunciation, let her know. If not, she’ll ask you how to say it. Here Cortana will also tell you she needs access to your location data and some other settings in order to work properly.

10. Finish setting Cortana up 

After you tell Cortana your name you can start using it right away. However, to get even more personalized and relevant answers and results, I recommend tapping the three horizontal bars on the upper right of the screen. This takes you to Cortana’s settings and allows you to input a bunch of information about yourself, including your family members’ names, your interests, the places you like, and more. 

Finally, remember Cortana is still a beta. Right now it’s an impressive start, but its sure to get even better by the time Microsoft releases Windows Phone 8.1 to the public later this year.