14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is currently working on a major OS update for Windows 8.1 which, according to recently leaked documentation, is very likely to be called Windows 8.1 Update.
An OEM letter submitted by Microsoft to PC makers who are supposed to install Windows 8.1 Update on their new devices reveals some information concerning the product, including the way the software giant is trying to market the new OS update.
Microsoft reportedly wants OEMs to install OneNote on all their devices shipped with Windows 8.1 Update, clearly in an attempt to get more users and compete against Evernote. The company has recently released OneNote for Mac OS X and made both this new version and the Windows build free of charge. A Modern port of the app is also available for free for Windows 8 users.
“Company is strongly encouraged to install the OneNote app,” the documentation clearly states. “Unless OneNote is installed, the Windows 8.1 Update GDR first screen of Start will have a blank space where the OneNote tile would be located.”
This means that versions that don’t have OneNote installed will have an empty space on the Start screen, so if you decide to install it by default, that’s the place where it would be located.
At the same time, the documentation appears to be suggesting that Microsoft wants PC makers to clearly state that their devices are running Windows 8.1 Update and not Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. This could be a sign that the company wants everybody to know that it greatly improved its modern operating system, so highlighting that devices are featuring it is a priority.
“Company must clearly and conspicuously indicate to End Users that the product includes Windows 8.1 Update. For example, company may provide the notice in advertisements, web sites, packaging, and point of purchase materials,” it says.
Windows 8.1 Update is expected to be launched in April, most likely on the 8th day of the month, when the company is also projected to roll out Patch Tuesday updates and to kill Windows XP once and for all.
MSDN subscribers on the other hand could get it a bit earlier, very likely on April 1 or April 2, as Microsoft wants to give them the chance to try out the new product before the BUILD 2014 developer conference, kicking off on April 2. Everyone will, however, get it via Windows Update only a few days after that.