Microsoft will unveil the preview of Windows 8.1 on June 26

Jun 17, 2013 14:54 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft will officially introduce the new Windows 8.1 Preview on June 26 during the BUILD developer conference, so all eyes are now on the changes this important update is going to bring.

Just as the tech giant promised, Windows 8.1 is going to be a much more user friendly platform, so in addition to many other improvements, it’ll also bring back the traditional Start button.

Unfortunately for those who wanted the Start Menu back too, Microsoft has decided to focus on the Start screen exclusive, so the button will actually get users to this new screen instead of launching a menu.

In addition, the Start screen itself will also undergo a significant makeover, so in order to make it a bit more user friendly, Microsoft will introduce plenty of customization options, including new colors, backgrounds, and the possibility to use the desktop wallpaper on the Start screen as well.

Microsoft will also roll out a specific feature to allow users to completely skip the Metro UI and boot directly to desktop, which is actually one of the most requested features in Windows 8.

Last but not least, Microsoft is also going to pay much more attention to the installed Metro apps, so the Windows Store will also receive several important improvements.

Some new apps will be included too, such as Movie Moments and an alarm utility, both of which are very likely to be installed by default on all Windows 8.1 computers.

As said, June 26 will be the day that’ll witness the launch of Windows 8.1, but the stable version of the operating system is set to be unveiled later this year, most likely in August or September.

This update is also projected to spawn a new wave of devices, so expect new tablets, laptops, PCs, and hybrids to hit the market in the coming months.