Microsoft has described the most important innovations of Windows 8.1 in a blog post. The update will be available for free and includes a Start button, which was removed in Windows 8.
Microsoft announced Windows 8.1 in a blog post confirming the return of the Start button. The software giant calls it ‘start tip’ and that button links from desktop mode directly to the start screen. The button is also available in the home screen and full screen applications. To do this, the mouse cursor must be moved to the lower left corner. In Windows 8.1, the start button will be enabled by default.
The Start screen in Windows 8.1 contains a number of innovations, including more and smaller live tiles. In addition, grouping and dragging tiles would be simplified, while accidental dragging of tiles should be prevented by having to hold down the mouse button longer. Furthermore, new applications are shown in the All Apps view, and are no longer pinned to the home screen by default. Within the All Apps view, frequently used apps are shown at the top and you can also search by name. It will also be possible to provide the start screen with the same image as that shown on the desktop. For example, the transition from the desktop environment to the start screen should be less ‘rough’.
Applications that use Snap Views, where two applications are displayed side by side, can now open multiple windows. This can be useful in multi-monitor configurations and on monitors with high resolutions. Also, the user can manually adjust the image distribution of Snap Views.
Windows 8.1 also includes improved search capabilities via the so-called Search Charm, according to Microsoft. The search system uses more resources and makes more links to relevant apps, such as a Wikipedia app. A new shortcut is also present: if the user presses the Windows key together with the ‘S’, a search dialog is displayed.
Microsoft also mentions in Windows 8.1 the presence of an option to boot the PC to an ‘alternate screen’. As an example, Microsoft’s blog post mentions booting directly to the Apps View. However, booting to the desktop will also return, where all the necessary rumors have been circulating. Windows 8.1 users can therefore have their system boot directly to the desktop without detours and tricks.
The lock screen also contains some innovations. For example, Skype calls can be accepted when the screen is locked, while a webcam can also be activated immediately. The lock screen can be further decorated with pictures from the local hard disk or from files that have been put on SkyDrive.
Windows 8.1 also includes extensive SkyDrive integration. For example, files can always be kept in the cloud storage service by offering a storage option through the entire operating system. If desired, files will also remain available without an internet connection, the software giant promises. This must be specified at folder or file level.
Internet Explorer 11 will replace IE10 in the update for Windows 8. According to Microsoft, IE11 can handle touch input even better. The browser would also be faster and IE11 can always show the address bar in the ‘modern view’ from now on. Furthermore, tabs can be synchronized between different Windows 8.1 devices. A future update should also enable this in Windows Phone.
The Windows Store will show more information in Windows 8.1, according to Microsoft. For example, lists of free apps must become available, while new apps will also be highlighted more clearly. With selected applications, suggestions for related apps will now be made, while the search options would also have been expanded.
More elements in the control panel have been adjusted to be able to be set via a touchscreen, while the virtual keyboard is also said to have been improved. Microsoft also promises a “better experience” in updated apps for Xbox Music and the apps for news, weather and travel. In Windows 8.1, the camera app offers a link to Photosynth and can handle panoramic photos. New are the Health & Fitness and Food & Drink apps. An official release date for Windows 8.1 has not yet been announced by Microsoft, but the software giant will release a preview version on June 26 at its Build conference.