14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8.1 Update was officially presented last week at the BUILD developer conference in San Francisco, but until now only MSDN subscribers have been allowed to download and install it.
Tomorrow, however, the software giant Microsoft will start shipping the new product to users across the world, so in case you’re already running Windows 8.1, make sure that you connect to the Internet tomorrow to download the new product.
Windows 8.1 Update is a major step towards an improved modern operating system for the traditional PC, as Microsoft focused exclusively on tweaking the platform in such a way that it becomes easier to use with a mouse and keyboard.
Of course, Windows 8.1 Update will be completely free of charge for adopters of Windows 8.1, and to avoid any potential problems experienced when downloading or installing the update, Microsoft is planning to ship it to users via Windows Update, instead of the Windows Store as it was the case of the previous release.
The Start screen now comes with a new search box that allows users to quickly search for content both online and offline, but also with context menus that makes it easier to customize live tiles with a mouse.
Metro apps are now launched in their own windows, so you get a title bar and close and minimize buttons, thus making it easier to control them by simply pointing the mouse cursor on them, and obviously without the need for a touch-capable device.
Options to pin the installed Metro apps to the taskbar are also being offered, as Microsoft is reportedly tying to pave the way for a brand new feature that would be released in Windows and would allow users to run the programs on the desktop.
“The Windows 8.1 Update delivers a collection of refinements designed to give people a more familiar and convenient experience across touch, keyboard and mouse inputs. It also brings improvements for business customers, really accelerates opportunity for developers, and enables device makers to offer lower cost devices,” Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc said last week.
Boot-to-desktop has also been tweaked, so it’s now turned on by default on desktop computers where seeing the Start screen at boot doesn’t make much sense.
Windows 8.1 Update will also include links to the desktop Control Panel across the Modern UI, as Microsoft is trying to merge the two environments and make it easier for users to switch from one menu to another.