Windows 8.1 build 9299

Windows 8.1 build 9299 is the earliest available build of Windows 8.1, which was uploaded to BetaArchive on 30 March 2019 as an x64 checked/debug version.

Due to its earliness, this build identifies itself as Windows 8 in many areas and still bears the 6.2 kernel version.

Windows Setup
Setup is similar to Windows 8, however the copyright year has been updated to 2013, and borders on the fake Aero setup interface are now opaque.

New features and changes

 * Some apps in the Start screen have different background colors.

Start screen personalization
This build is the earliest known build to include the "Personalization" charm to directly change the colors from the Start screen instead of having to go to the Settings app. The colors are now freely customizable in various shades and combinations instead of a fixed pre-set of colors. However, changing the background still requires the user to open the Settings app to change it.

Internet Explorer 11
This build contains an early version of Internet Explorer 11. Although without looking deeper into the inspect element section you won't see any difference, you will notice that upon opening up inspect element, there is a new addition to the "Browser Mode" section, called IE11. This doesn't bring much improvements, however it is slightly different compared to IE10's engine.

Slideshow
This build also contains a new slideshow on the lock screen that isn't enabled by default. This slideshow simply fades in between multiple images included in this build, and it takes a few seconds to switch to another image.

Enabling this consists of a simple registry entry. Head to  and then create a new key called "Lock Screen". Go to the key you just made and make a new DWORD called "SlideshowEnabled". Set the value of that DWORD to 1. Once completed, lock the operating system. If done correctly, you will now see a slideshow on the lock screen, and it will take a few seconds for the first out of few images to appear.

Miscellaneous

 * The copyright year in  was updated from 2012 to 2013. This persisted up to build 9785.

Blank screen on boot
This build often boots up to a blank screen after logging in, instead of loading the start screen directly. Pressing the ⊞ Win Key can load the start screen and allow the user to continue.

Timebomb
Like most Windows 8 builds, this build has a semi-broken timebomb, which gets nulled if you install on current date. If you do that, you won't be able to change the wallpaper, unless you use a tool like DeskImg or ProductPolicyEditor.