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Q3 2013 Service Pack 1 for RadControls for Windows 8 is out and it features native Windows 8.1 builds. And yes, RadMap for Windows 8 XAML now works in Windows 8.1 projects, too. Prior to today’s version of RadControls, you could use the controls (apart from the Map for XAML) in your Windows 8.1 apps but they were built in Windows 8.0 and were not taking advantage of the new OS features. With this Service Pack, we have changed that. Here is what you will find in it:

  • Installers for the Windows 8.1 build of the controls. Don’t worry if you are still working in Windows 8.0, we have installers for it, too.
  • Support for the Map component in Windows 8.1 apps.
  • The 8.1 XAML controls now take advantage of the new ThemeResource markup extension and can update their themes at runtime.
  • Issues that were found in the controls, related to changes in the new runtime, are fixed.

Of course, since this is a Service Pack we have also included general fixes and some small improvements in both XAML and HTML suites. You can find a full list in the Release Notes page.

How to add RadControls to your Windows 8.1 project?

If you are new to RadControls and want to get started in Windows 8.1, just download the installer, run it and when it is finished, check RadControls for Windows 8.1 in the Visual Studio 2013 References dialog.

If you have an existing Windows Store app project that uses RadControls and now you retarget it to Windows 8.1, Visual Studio will automatically update your WinRT/WinJS references. However, since RadControls are a third party product that is installed separately, you need to update their references manually. To do so, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to your account and under Products & Subscriptions choose your licensed product.
  2. In the next page, click Download Installer and other resources.
  3. In the list of products that you now see, find RadControls for Windows 8 XAML or HTML and click its Browse all product files link.
  4. Download the first file - Windows 8.1 Automatic installation and install it.
  5. Open your Windows Store project and replace the old RadControls for Windows 8 references in the Reference dialog with the new 8.1 references.

Note: With this version of the controls (Q3 2013 SP1), the Control Panel will install the 8.0 build of RadControls. This is done to ensure that we do not overwrite you current 8.0 SDK with a newer one that you may not need. Therefore, to get the 8.1 build you need to use the MSI installer.

How to use RadControls for Windows 8.0 and Windows 8.1 at the same time?

In case you want to maintain two versions of your application for the two OS versions, you will need to have both RadControls SDKs on your machine. Our documentation explains how to achieve this for the HTML suite.

Why is the Data Storage missing from the download page?

The Telerik Data Storage product is now part of the RadControls automatic installation. You do not need to make a separate install to get it, anymore. Same as the controls, it has separate builds for Windows 8.0 and Windows 8.1 and they are added to the respective MSI installers.

 

To see the controls in action, you can try the demos locally once you install the controls, or download them from the Windows Store (an 8.1 version is coming very soon).

After you try the latest bits, if you have any questions, write in the forums for HTML and XAML or contact us through the support ticketing system.

If you want to share with us your feedback, you can use the Ideas and Feedback portal.

RadControls for Windows 8.1 


About the Author

Tsvetina Ivanova

Senior Support Officer
Telerik Windows 8 Team

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