Having worked for many years in the laborious IT sector, the very last tool I would use to advise on system capabilities would be anything Windows throws at me.
You worked laboriously for a boss, I work laboriously for my clients. We have different perspectives on the various features of Windows. The true reason WEI was removed from 8.1 was because the average PC user never even knew it was there - as is true of several Windows Features. It also makes sense for Microsoft to remove it because they want the people to believe Windows 8.1 will handle anything you throw at it.
Most of us with "fix it" experience know that M$ needs to make a separate OS for keyboard and mouse users with the Trademark Windows User Interface.