Previously known as Windows Blue, 8.1 will be the first major update for the Windows 8 operating system, and is due for release on October 17.
But what can you expect? For lovers of Windows 8, 8.1 is sure to be a welcome and exciting upgrade, but is it enough to attract first-time users to the OS that many have slated?
Microsoft has said that it will change ‘key aspects’ of the Windows 8 operating system for PCs, laptops and tablets, admitting that the steep learning curve for users is ‘definitely real’.
A statment from the tech firm read: "Not only will Windows 8.1 respond to customer feedback, but it will add new features and functionality that advance the touch experience and mobile computing’s potential. Windows 8.1 will deliver improvements and enhancements in key areas like personalisation, search, the built-in apps, Windows Store experience, and cloud connectivity."
But before we dive into the changes, when will we see it hitting devices?
Windows 8.1 was officially launched at the Microsoft Build developer conference in San Francisco on June 26, but the final public version will now be released on October 17 at midday, just in time for Christmas.
"It’s very exciting to be delivering Windows 8.1 to consumers just before Windows 8 celebrates its one-year anniversary," the company said.
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Windows 8.1
Microsoft used to issue service packs, but now will issue new OS versions much like Apple does with OS X. They already do a similar kind of deal with the Windows phone, for example 7.5 Mango and 8.0 Apollo.
Tammi Reller, head of marketing and finance for the Windows, said: "It will deliver the latest new innovations across an increasingly broad array of form factors of all sizes, display, battery life and performance, while creating new opportunities for our ecosystem. It will provide more options for businesses, and give consumers more options for work and play."
Users will be able to personalise the OS more, with the lock screen now having the ability to display a slideshow of photos. There will also be more colours and backgrounds from the start screen. The updated Start screen will offer new larger and smaller tile sizes.
"You can now select multiple apps all at once, resize them, uninstall them, or rearrange them," said Microsoft.
Newly installed apps won’t be added to the Start screen automatically, instead they will be displayed in a ‘new’ section of the apps menu. Microsoft said users will also be able to view apps by name, date installed, most used or by category.
Microsoft said the pre-loaded apps in Windows 8 will be improved including Photos and Music. There will also be some new apps that are yet to be announced and Snap Views will let you resize apps to any size and the ability to have three apps on-screen at once for better multi-tasking.
"Also in Windows 8.1, you can have multiple windows of the same app snapped together – such as two Internet Explorer windows," added Microsoft.
The Windows store will also be upgraded in 8.1, with the redesign aiming to show more information and a search bar at the top. Listings will be made more descriptive and include a related apps section to help users find new apps.
The search section of the Charms bar will give ‘global search results powered by Bing’ in order to give you the best result. It will work for the web, apps, files, SkyDrive and actions you can take.
"Quick actions include things you would want to do like play a song or video. Results from local files, apps, and settings are easily accessed in the same convenient view by scrolling to the left," said the firm.
Other updates will include PC settings, which can be accessed without using the control panel, and Internet Explorer 11 flirting with better performance. SkyDrive will also let you save files directly to the cloud and offline access.
Return of the Start menu
Perhaps in a move to reintroduce, in some ways, the forgotten Start menu, the Start ‘tip’ will now be the Windows logo and pop up when the mouse is moved to the bottom left of the screen. It will also be visible whenever you’re in Desktop mode.
"There are also options to change what the corners do, and options to boot into alternate screens. For example, if you prefer to see the Apps view versus all the tiles, you can choose to have the Start screen go directly to Apps view." said Microsoft.
Final price
Microsoft has announced that the Windows 8.1 update will be available for free via the Windows Store for existing Windows 8 users or will automatically update onto your machine. Windows 7 users can pay $120 to order the Windows 8.1 upgrade DVD or a digital download, and the Windows 8.1 professional edition will actually cost $199.
"Windows 8.1 is not designed for installation on devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista," Microsoft cautions on the Windows 8.1 preorder page, but those customers can buy Windows 8 now and then get a free upgrade to 8.1.
The original Windows 8 alienated many users, with a redesign of the traditional desktop UI we all grew up with. People just couldn’t come to terms with bright rectangles and no Start button. A lot rests on Windows 8.1’s shoulders, as Windows still remains the dominant OS on PCs. If Windows can recover from the slip they had with 8, maybe they could secure their future in the OS market.
With Windows 8 and now 8.1, the company is hoping to move to a new interface that’s designed to be more secure, more power-efficient and touch-friendly for tablets – including Microsoft’s own Surface tablets.
The Windows 8.1 launch will take place a few days before Microsoft tries a second time with its own tablet hardware, the £799 Surface Pro 2 and £349 Surface 2. The first-generation Surface products were largely a commercial flop, but the sequels bring new processors, new options for snap-on keyboards, and of course the new operating system.
