Everything You Need to Know About Windows 8.1 Update 1

When Microsoft released Windows 8.1 update for Windows 8 operating system, the company announced that there will be regular updates available for Windows 8.1 in future similar to service packs to improve its user interface and functionality.

With the release of Windows 8.1, Microsoft also started working on Update 1 for the OS. There were many rumors and leaks in past few months regarding this update but we couldn’t share about them due to obvious reasons.

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But now Microsoft has officially announced about the Update 1. Today “Joe Belfiore” from Microsoft made an announcement about Windows 8.1 Update 1. According to the official announcement, Update 1 for Windows 8.1 will refine and improve Windows 8.1 to deliver streamline user experience on all devices such as PCs, tablets and mobile phones.

Some interesting things to note about Windows 8.1 Update 1:

  • It’ll reduce hardware requirements so that lower cost hardware can also be used in Windows 8.1 systems.
  • It’ll bring many improvements in Modern aka Metro UI of Windows 8.1. Now PC users with mouse and keyboards will have more control over Start Screen and other Metro app areas.
  • Many improvements in Internet Explorer 11.

Exclusive Features List of Windows 8.1 Update 1

  • Ability to detect the hardware and enable appropriate user interface. Metro UI for touch enabled devices and Desktop for PCs.
  • New titlebar with min/close buttons for Metro apps.
  • Auto-hidden Taskbar for Metro apps.
  • Classic context menus (right-click menus) for tiles on Start Screen. Users with mouse will no longer need to use bottom Metro app bar to access right-click options.
  • Much requested power button on Start Screen to sleep, restart, shut down Windows 8.1 system.
  • Search button on Start Screen.
  • Ability to pin Metro apps on Taskbar.
  • Taskbar shows shortcuts of running Metro apps similar to other Desktop programs.

According to Microsoft this new Update for Windows 8.1 should be coming this spring, most probably in the middle of April 2014. But no official date has been confirmed by Microsoft. There are rumors that it’ll distributed through Windows Update not from Windows Store.

We’ll keep updating you all as soon as new information comes about Windows 8.1 Update 1 from Microsoft. Keep visiting this place and feel free to share your feedback about this new update features…

Also Check:

[Review] What’s New in Windows 8.1 Update 1

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Published in: Windows 8

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

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  1. @Ayan C. I don’t think Start Menu is necessary, with the Start Screen you can do more things, you can search apps more quickly, all apps is displayed in your screen, not just 5 of them, like the Start Menu, etc so let’s forget about that Start Menu… Start Screen is an updated version of Start Menu.

  2. @hell-zerg
    I agree with you. There’s no reason for the Start Menu to come back and it will never come back.The Start Screen is basically a supercharged, full-screen version of the old Start Menu. Well actually, the Start Screen is better than the Start Menu not just because you get a consistent-looking interface but also the Start Screen has the capability to display dynamic information on the tiles. The Tiles on the Start Screen is pretty much similar to what the old Gadgets in Windows Vista and Windows 7 does – it displays information.

    To be honest, I used to hate Windows 8 because it does not have the Start Menu but after using it for almost a week, I loved it. Sure, there’s a steep learning curve at first, but once you get the hang of Windows 8’s gestures and new features, you’ll never want to come back to using older versions of Windows.

    @Ayan C.
    Want the old Start Menu? You can just use Classic Shell, Start8 or StartisBack to bring back the Start Menu in Windows 8. People like you whining about the lack of Start Menu in Windows 8 are still living in the cave. The Start Menu is an old relic from the days of Windows 95 and it needs to die for good. It’s already 2014 for goodness’ sakes! People needs to move on now and embrace the more powerful and more dynamic Start Screen and let the Start menu die.

  3. @kay,

    read the last paragraph in this article.

    “According to Microsoft this new Update for Windows 8.1 should be coming this spring, most probably in the middle of April 2014. But no official date has been confirmed by Microsoft. There are rumors that it’ll distributed through Windows Update not from Windows Store.”

    hope that helps.

  4. Hope i can disable the taskbar and titlebar in Metro apps, aswell as the classic context menu in the Start Screen. I hate getting the UX mixed up. -_-

  5. The argument against the Start Menu is laughable. If a person is using the desktop more than normal, which is usually the case for some people, the start menu is easier to access for those without the touch capabilities than the Start Screen simply because it keeps the user on the desktop rather than shoot them to a new interface just to go to search for programs. Of course you can just pin each program on the menu and make things easier, but the same thing can be done with icons on the desktop. The Start Screen is just a combination of the Start Menu and desktop, which is easier and faster for some, but utterly useless for others. Some people don’t need a constant visual of their emails, weather, news and what not.

    That being said, the Start Screen is good and useful, but right now, more to those with touch capabilities, for now. It seems that this update will make is easier for those who use a trackpad and/or mouse, like I do on a touchless laptop.

  6. you can also launch metro apps in windowed mode – news.softpedia.com/news/How-to-Launch-Metro-Apps-from-the-Desktop-in-Windows-8-1-428061.shtml

  7. Thanks VG.

    I think the best feature will be the “Ability to detect the hardware and enable appropriate user interface. Metro UI for touch enabled devices and Desktop for PCs.”
    Will have to wait & see, what it will do with touch laptops by default.

  8. When you say low-cost-Old pcs will be supported, do you mean the PAE/NX requirements will be removed:?

  9. Ah Yes, Ye Old Start Menu. I have both (using start8) And There is a little Icon on the task-bar that takes me right to the Metro screen. For Power Users, the start menu is a must as is the Run, Command, and Power Shell Icons setting on the desk top. The Metro UI is too cluttered and I’m use to the C:\ prompt from older days. I don’t have a touch tablet yet, but I could see where the Metro UI would be the way to go. I’m not sure I could use that for Visual Studio projects though (no keyboard or mouse) I do like the Metro UI with the live windows and it does show more of what’s installed on the system. Microsoft intended that Windows 8 was for touch. It just jump too far ahead (hence Windows 8.1 release) and they extended the deadline that OEMs can still install Windows 7. And Corporate America is in no hurry to upgrade. Windows 9 maybe? And if the latest update is coming it will be in a Service Pack as all other OS updates were.

  10. >By @Kay;
    >How to get this update? just update from windows update? also is it will release in iso?

    If you’ve got Windows 8, you could update it for free. You can get the iso, yes.

  11. Hey VG, I want to say something to you.

    1. No Metro taskbar (all Windows Store apps minimized to the desktop. Details on point 3)
    2. Microsoft has made a 30 sec video on a Windows 8.1 U1 PC about differences between Start with and without desktop background. Video: youtu.be/QWnsjhIMvII (you’ll see the Bing app minimized on the desktop)
    3. Apps minimized to desktop (and, there is a setting for it, disabling the setting will cause apps won’t minimize at all.)

    Regards,
    -Gibranal NN

  12. For those, who want Start menu: engadget.com/2014/04/02/microsoft-teases-a-classic-start-menu-for-windows-8-1-with-built

  13. VG, I have also heard that Windows 8.1 without Update 1 won’t get any more updates!! Windows 8.1 w/ NO Update 1 + Windows XP are dying on the same day 🙁

  14. its for windows 8.1
    what about people who still using windows 8
    is it possible to direct upgrade to this update ?

  15. ^^ Yes. According to Microsoft, Windows 8.1 with Update 1 will be available for Windows 8 users through Windows Store.

  16. Hi, my contacts list (people) is confused, if i search a name, debbie for example it comes up with a completely different person, how can this be and how can i fix it?

    thanks

    Dave

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