14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is going to launch Windows 8.1 Update 1 sometime in the next two months in an attempt to fix its modern operating system and make it a bit more user-friendly.
The company hasn’t yet talked publicly about Windows 8.1 Update 1, but it’s expected to address quite a lot of the issues that users experienced in Windows 8 and 8.1, which means that the overall platform should be faster and more reliable.
At the same time, Redmond is also believed to be working on ways to make the Metro UI more intuitive, while also struggling to enhance its usability for desktop users.
The first thing you shall notice when installing Windows 8.1 Update 1 is the new Start screen that now comes with power options which let you quickly turn off or reboot the system. In Windows 8, this was actually one of the most criticized things, as users needed at least three clicks to reach power options.
A thing that Microsoft has been struggling to improve in Windows 8.1 Update 1 is the way desktop users are interacting with the Modern working environment, adding context menu-like options on the Start screen and even title bars for Metro apps that can now be launched in their own windows.This is just the beginning of a much more complex change that’s going to take place in Windows 9, sources says, as Microsoft plans to allow users to launch Metro apps right on the desktop and thus give its controversial interface a chance to succeed.
Since Windows 8 and 8.1 haven’t been considered very appropriate for the desktop, the PC Settings screen that can be access from the Start screen will also hold links to the desktop version of the Control Panel, which means that it’ll be easier to switch between the Modern UI and the desktop.
Windows 8.1 Update 1 will also be the operating system that’ll give Microsoft another shot at the tablet market, with people close to the development process suggesting that the platform will be tweaked in such a way that it would be capable of running on smaller devices as well. This means that a Surface Mini could indeed be on its way, even though Microsoft hasn’t talked too much about it lately.
Options to pin Metro apps to the taskbar will also be offered, and so will be playback controls for multimedia programs such as YouTube clients and music players. This will allow users to play and pause media files straight from the desktop, in the same way they could do it in Windows Vista with Media Player.
An option that will also be part of the operating system is the boot to desktop tool, but it’s not yet very clear whether the software giant is planning to offer it turned on by default or keep it disabled just like it’s currently on Windows 8.1.It appears that Redmond might actually adopt a different strategy and allow PC makers to decide whether they want their devices to be shipped with boot to desktop turned on or not.
In addition, people familiar with the development process claim that boot to desktop could be enabled on desktop computers where users clearly need to get to the desktop fast, but would remain an option for tablets and touch-capable devices.
As compared to Windows 8.1, Update 1 won’t be delivered through the store, but via Windows Update, which means that users will be able to download and install it just like any other regular Windows patch. Sources familiar with the matter have said that its debut could take place on April 8, the same date when Microsoft discontinues Windows XP and rolls out the third Patch Tuesday cycle of the year.
