The much awaited Windows 8 update, Windows 8.1, which was previously dubbed 'Windows Blue' will sport the good old 'start button' again. And the best part, Windows is planning for frequent updates as well.
Microsoft said that the Windows 8.1 update will have the button in the bottom left corner of the screen. The button will perform 'Start' functions, but will not be labelled the same like the old OS versions. It will feature the Windows logo and will lead users directly to the grid of applications.
Other features of Windows 8.1 update are:
- The Improvised 'Search button', which enable users to search for documents, apps, and items on the internet from a single search bar
- All applications could be viewed immediately in a grid by swiping down or clicking a button-on-screen, quite functional for unfamiliar users who could get to the app of their choice in a jiffy.
- Users can customize the screen by changing size of app icons, displaying only certain apps and for the first time ever, open two windows simultaneously.
- The update will sport Microsoft's most recent browser, Internet Explorer 11, and will let users restore address bar and tabs to the display.
Even though users are not required to revert to the old desktop view to alter default settings, they would need to do so in order to use Word or Excel and other programs which are not redesigned to suit Windows 8.
Below is a video showing the Windows 8.1 free update shared by IGN News:
The Windows 8 update, which Microsoft hopes will address complaints and confusions on its current Operating System (OS), will be unveiled on 26 June and freely available to Windows 8 users later this year. This announcement of the new update was made by Tami Reller, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Windows, at the JP Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in Boston.
Windows 8, designed for both touch screen tablets and traditional PCs, had a 'tile' based interface that was preferred specifically by touch screen users. The OS did not go down well with many mouse and keyboard users who said it was too confusing.
The first three months of the year had seen a plunge in sales of Windows 8 OS (almost fourteen percent) according to Data Corp. Microsoft usually registered high sales with the launch of new version of Windows. The popularity of tablets and smartphones coupled with confusing features of Windows 8 was cited as the major reasons behind it. The current update is aimed at winning over the tablet users and also pacifies the PC customers offended by the confusing Windows 8.
