It turns out that Microsoft might launch Windows 8.1 Update 1 in early April

Feb 28, 2014 07:25 GMT  ·  By

Windows 8.1 Update 1 is Microsoft’s next big bet in the OS market, with some recent rumors pointing out that the new release could come as soon as April.

WZor, who has a good track on Windows leaks, recently said that Windows 8.1 Update 1 could launch as soon March for MSDN subscribers, which means that the update could reach the web soon after that. The public launch could take place, according to the same WZor, on April 1, which means that developers could get it just in time for the BUILD 2014 developer conference which kicks off on April 2.

Now a new report published by Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrott claims, via unnamed sources, that Windows 8.1 Update 1 will hit MSDN on April 2, while all users could get it via Windows Update on April 8.

Microsoft has refused to provide any details on the launch date, but the company did confirm recently that Windows 8.1 was projected to receive a significant update this spring that would improve the operating system on PCs and devices using a traditional mouse and keyboard configuration.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 will come with options to pin Metro apps to the taskbar, according to some leaks that reached the web recently, but also with power options placed right on the Start screen in order to allow users to quickly shut down or reboot their devices.

Microsoft is also tweaking Windows 8.1 Update 1 in such a way that it would allow manufacturers to install it on smaller devices and low-spec computers, as the new OS version will require only 1 GB of memory and 16 GB of storage space.

What’s more, the company is working on a new pricing scheme that’s supposed to bring several affordable devices to the market, including PCs and tablets priced below $250 (€180). Microsoft is believed to have reduced the Windows 8.1 licensing fee by 70 percent for companies that are selling devices priced below $250, in an attempt to make more models available as the software giant moves closer to another Windows release.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 will obviously be offered free of charge to all Windows 8.1 users via Windows Update in order to avoid any potential issues that might occur when taking the download from the Windows Store.

More details are expected to be provided in the coming weeks as we move closer to the public launch of the new Windows version.