I WAS WONDERING WHY WINDOWS 8.1 TOOK SO LONG TO BOOT TODAY

I think CNET has the answer:

Microsoft rushes emergency security fix for Windows

The software maker patches a security hole that lets hackers take control of any Windows machine, including ones running Windows 10.

by Nick Statt

July 20, 2015 2:46 PM PDT


Microsoft on Monday issued an emergency fix for all supported versions of its Windows operating system, plugging a hole that essentially allowed hackers unfettered access to victims' computers. ... The flaw affects all users of Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1 and Windows RT, representing two out of every three of the 1.5 billion PCs running Windows around the world.