14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8.1 is expected to receive a new important update in just a few days, even though Microsoft has until now remained completely tight-lipped on this eagerly-awaited release for so many users.
Expected to ship as Windows 8.1 August Update, the new product might only bring small improvements and performance enhancements to Windows 8.1, even though Microsoft initially promised much more important changes in this particular release.
Back in April at the BUILD 2014 developer conference in San Francisco, Microsoft said that a future Windows 8.1 update would bring back the Start menu, as well as options to run Metro apps in their very own dedicated windows right on the desktop.
It turns out that Microsoft has actually changed its mind and is more focused on Windows 9 work these days, so all these improvements are expected to arrive in this particular OS version sometime early next year.
Windows 8.1 August Update won’t be mandatory for Windows 8.1 Update users, but Microsoft is expected to recommend everyone to install it as soon as possible for enhanced performance and reliability.
What’s more interesting, however, is Microsoft’s approach for this update, as the company refused to disclose any details about the upcoming product even though we’re only 7 days away from its launch.
One of the reasons behind this whole secrecy could be the reduced number of improvements that are included in this release, so Microsoft doesn’t want to launch it with too much fanfare. Since it goes live on the second Tuesday of this month, the new August Update would be included in the Patch Tuesday rollout, with sources saying that Microsoft plans to release it via Windows Update alongside the other fixes.
As you might have heard, this could be the last major update for Windows 8.1, as Microsoft is working at full speed to bring Windows 9 to the market as soon as possible. Windows 9 is expected to be launched in April 2015, and depending on how fast development work goes, a third update for Windows 8.1 might or might not be released early next year.
If it’s launched, Windows 8.1 Update 3 might be the product preparing Windows 8 devices for the launch of Windows 9, as people close to the matter indicate that Microsoft is planning to offer the next full version of the operating system free of charge to a number of users.
Of course, Redmond is yet to confirm such speculation, but expect more details to be offered soon, as the company is getting ready to introduce Windows 8.1 August Update.