Microsoft has released Windows 8.1 Update 1 to manufacturing, according to my sources, as well as the known Windows leaker WZor.
http://cdn-static.zdnet.com/i/r/story/70/00/026983/win81update1winsupersite-200x114.png?hash=BTV5LJL4Mw&upscale=1
Windows 8.1 Update 1 -- which Microsoft also has referred to internally as "Windows 8.1 Spring Update" and "Windows 8.1 Update" -- is designed to make Windows 8.1 more palatable and familiar to users who prefer to use mice as much, if not more, than touch.
Word of Windows 8.1 Update 1's existence and feature set began leaking months ago. Pre-RTM builds of the update have been leaking for weeks. (The RTM build has not yet leaked to the Web as of March 4.) During Mobile World Congress, Microsoft execs officially provided some information on the coming release for the first time publicly.
Windows 8.1 Update 1 tweaks include a title bar at the top of Modern/Windows Store apps; new, right-clickable context menus; and the addition of power and search buttons on the Start Screen. Windows 8.1 Update 1 will have a smaller footprint (1 GB of RAM; 16 GB of storage), which will enable device makers to put Windows 8.1 with the update on smaller, cheaper tablets. Windows 8.1 Update 1 will include IE8 compatibility mode in IE11 -- previously reported as IE11 Enterprise Mode.
With Windows 8.1, according to previous reports, boot to desktop will be installed by default on new PCs/devices without touch screens. Users who are upgrading from Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Update 1 who don't have boot to desktop set as their default already won't see their settings change to boot to default, according to WZor.
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Well, with the RTM in place, the update should rollout within a few weeks I would guess.
Yup, Corey...that sounds about right...but then again...we are talking about MS...so you never, ever know...;)
Daniel, thanks for the digging...useful to know...I will make sure that my tablet is connected to WiFi then. 😉
That is brilliant news, thank you for the update Daniel.
Thanks for finding that out for us!
Thanks for the heads up...you have to admit, old Triple Helix gets lucky every now and then!:D
RR, there no every now and then, or getting lucky either...the TH is all seeing & all knowing...be afraid, be very afraid...:p ;)
Rumoured changes:
Here's our roundup of the latest leaks, suggesting what we can expect in Windows 8.1 Update 1.
Title bar on Metro apps
A full build of Windows 8.1 Update 1 has leaked to file-sharing websites, revealing a few more of the expected changes, according to The Verge.
That includes a title bar across the top of all Metro-style apps, making it easier to use a mouse to minimise and close apps, as well as snap them side-by-side next to each other.
It's also now possible to see how the dedicated shutdown and search icons (see below) will operate. Clicking on the shutdown button opens up a dropdown box with the expected options: restart, shutdown, and sleep.
The search icon, meanwhile, opens up the existing sidebar search tool.
Boot to desktop by default
The option to bypass the Metro interface when booting up will be on by default for desktop PCs, according to The Verge.
The idea is to make it easier to use Windows 8.1 for those using a keyboard and mouse rather than a touchscreen, with Microsoft's own telemetry data showing most people still use those standard input methods. And yes, that's the same telemetry data that Microsoft used to justify removing the Start button in the first place.
However, the report notes the change is still in development and may not be ready when the update ships.
Pin Metro apps to the taskbar
Leaked screenshots suggest Update 1 will allow Metro apps to be pinned to the desktop taskbar, meaning users won't have to flip back into the Start screen to access them.
However, it isn't clear from the images what happens when the icons are clicked, whether they run directly on the desktop in their own window or simply return the user to the Metro interface, noted ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley.
Microsoft has been rumoured to be considering allowing users to run such apps directly on the desktop, rather than forcing them into full-screen mode in the Metro interface.
Shutting apps
Metro apps will receive their own close button in the top corner, mimicking how they're shut down on the desktop, according to Paul Thurrott. At the moment, those apps are closed via the keyboard or a touch or mouse gesture.
Windows 8.1 Update 1 will also make it easier to manage app icons. Right-clicking on them in the Start screen will open up a menu to uninstall or resize them directly, rather than going to a different screen.
Shutdown ease
Leaked screenshots suggest Microsoft wants to make it easier to shutdown PCs, with the addition of a dedicated shutdown button located next to the profile image in the top-right corner of the Start screen.
At the moment, shutting down a Windows 8.1 PC involves navigating into settings or right-clicking on the returned Start button - the new method won't save steps over the former, but is easier for new users to find.
The screenshots also feature a dedicated earch button next to the profile photo and new shutdown icon.
Under the hood
Foley also noted there may be some less visible changes, geared more towards tablets than the desktop.
She said Update 1 may introduce changes to cut memory and disk space requirements for Windows 8.1, making it run better on cheaper, smaller tablets
Source
Here's our roundup of the latest leaks, suggesting what we can expect in Windows 8.1 Update 1.
Title bar on Metro apps
A full build of Windows 8.1 Update 1 has leaked to file-sharing websites, revealing a few more of the expected changes, according to The Verge.
That includes a title bar across the top of all Metro-style apps, making it easier to use a mouse to minimise and close apps, as well as snap them side-by-side next to each other.
It's also now possible to see how the dedicated shutdown and search icons (see below) will operate. Clicking on the shutdown button opens up a dropdown box with the expected options: restart, shutdown, and sleep.
The search icon, meanwhile, opens up the existing sidebar search tool.
Boot to desktop by default
The option to bypass the Metro interface when booting up will be on by default for desktop PCs, according to The Verge.
The idea is to make it easier to use Windows 8.1 for those using a keyboard and mouse rather than a touchscreen, with Microsoft's own telemetry data showing most people still use those standard input methods. And yes, that's the same telemetry data that Microsoft used to justify removing the Start button in the first place.
However, the report notes the change is still in development and may not be ready when the update ships.
Pin Metro apps to the taskbar
Leaked screenshots suggest Update 1 will allow Metro apps to be pinned to the desktop taskbar, meaning users won't have to flip back into the Start screen to access them.
However, it isn't clear from the images what happens when the icons are clicked, whether they run directly on the desktop in their own window or simply return the user to the Metro interface, noted ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley.
Microsoft has been rumoured to be considering allowing users to run such apps directly on the desktop, rather than forcing them into full-screen mode in the Metro interface.
Shutting apps
Metro apps will receive their own close button in the top corner, mimicking how they're shut down on the desktop, according to Paul Thurrott. At the moment, those apps are closed via the keyboard or a touch or mouse gesture.
Windows 8.1 Update 1 will also make it easier to manage app icons. Right-clicking on them in the Start screen will open up a menu to uninstall or resize them directly, rather than going to a different screen.
Shutdown ease
Leaked screenshots suggest Microsoft wants to make it easier to shutdown PCs, with the addition of a dedicated shutdown button located next to the profile image in the top-right corner of the Start screen.
At the moment, shutting down a Windows 8.1 PC involves navigating into settings or right-clicking on the returned Start button - the new method won't save steps over the former, but is easier for new users to find.
The screenshots also feature a dedicated earch button next to the profile photo and new shutdown icon.
Under the hood
Foley also noted there may be some less visible changes, geared more towards tablets than the desktop.
She said Update 1 may introduce changes to cut memory and disk space requirements for Windows 8.1, making it run better on cheaper, smaller tablets
Source
Good!!! This has been one of my largest complaints about 8 and 8.1 - how apps have to be shut down.@ wrote:
Metro apps will receive their own close button in the top corner, mimicking how they're shut down on the desktop, according to Paul Thurrott. At the moment, those apps are closed via the keyboard or a touch or mouse gesture.
This will be a huge improvement!
@ wrote:
Thanks for the heads up...you have to admit, old Triple Helix gets lucky every now and then!:D
You guys are funny! LOL@ wrote:
RR, there no every now and then, or getting lucky either...the TH is all seeing & all knowing...be afraid, be very afraid...:p ;)
Daniel 😃
Windows 8.1 Update 1 could be officially called "Windows Feature Pack"
Earlier this week, Microsoft reportedly completed work on the RTM version of Windows 8.1 Update 1, also known as the "Spring Update". While the company has yet to confirm this news, a new tidbit of information seems to have been revealed at the Chinese language site ITHome.
In an article which they claim to have information about the installation methods that will be used for the update, the site has also posted a screenshot which shows that Update 1-Spring Update may officially be labeled as the Windows Feature Pack. If true, it would make sense since the update does add quite a few new features to Windows 8.1, especially for keyboard and mouse users; we have contacted Microsoft to see if they wish to comment on this rumor.
The article also states that when the update is released, Internet Explorer 11 will also get a version number bump to 11.0.7. As we have reported before, IE11 will get an "enterprise compatibility mode" that will allow the browser to load up websites that are designed to work best on the older IE8 version.
Microsoft is expected to release the Windows 8.1 update to the general public on April 8th.
Source
Earlier this week, Microsoft reportedly completed work on the RTM version of Windows 8.1 Update 1, also known as the "Spring Update". While the company has yet to confirm this news, a new tidbit of information seems to have been revealed at the Chinese language site ITHome.
In an article which they claim to have information about the installation methods that will be used for the update, the site has also posted a screenshot which shows that Update 1-Spring Update may officially be labeled as the Windows Feature Pack. If true, it would make sense since the update does add quite a few new features to Windows 8.1, especially for keyboard and mouse users; we have contacted Microsoft to see if they wish to comment on this rumor.
The article also states that when the update is released, Internet Explorer 11 will also get a version number bump to 11.0.7. As we have reported before, IE11 will get an "enterprise compatibility mode" that will allow the browser to load up websites that are designed to work best on the older IE8 version.
Microsoft is expected to release the Windows 8.1 update to the general public on April 8th.
Source
You can download Windows 8.1 update 1 right now with a simple registry tweak
If you are willing to make a few tweaks to your registry, you can get Windows 8.1 update 1 right now. By adding a value to your registry, this will give you access to download and will get you the bits right now, without accessing any third-party.
Several users have reported that the method is working and have successfully downloaded the update. The current thought is that by tweaking the registry, it mimics your machine to be that of a user who is dogfooding the update and then sends the bits to your machine.
In regedit, navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows” and create a new key called “SHWindowsPoolS14?, now reboot your PC and check for new updates. You should see “Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB2919442) – (S14 Prerequisite v01.0008)“, this is the first in a series of updates that will update your PC to Windows 8.1
We wouldn't be surprise if Microsoft blocks this workaround very quickly and surely did not expect this way of obtaining Windows 8.1 update 1 to make it out into the wild in this way.
As with any leak or workaround like this, proceed with caution as you can bork your Windows install.
Microsoft has plugged the registry tweak and removed the files from the known Microsoft server locations, but you can find the bits on MDL forums or just look through our comments. Again we warn you that downloading files from non verified locations is not recommended..
Source
Extreme caution with the registry tweak, not recommended for untrained users
If you are willing to make a few tweaks to your registry, you can get Windows 8.1 update 1 right now. By adding a value to your registry, this will give you access to download and will get you the bits right now, without accessing any third-party.
Several users have reported that the method is working and have successfully downloaded the update. The current thought is that by tweaking the registry, it mimics your machine to be that of a user who is dogfooding the update and then sends the bits to your machine.
In regedit, navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows” and create a new key called “SHWindowsPoolS14?, now reboot your PC and check for new updates. You should see “Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB2919442) – (S14 Prerequisite v01.0008)“, this is the first in a series of updates that will update your PC to Windows 8.1
We wouldn't be surprise if Microsoft blocks this workaround very quickly and surely did not expect this way of obtaining Windows 8.1 update 1 to make it out into the wild in this way.
As with any leak or workaround like this, proceed with caution as you can bork your Windows install.
Microsoft has plugged the registry tweak and removed the files from the known Microsoft server locations, but you can find the bits on MDL forums or just look through our comments. Again we warn you that downloading files from non verified locations is not recommended..
Source
Extreme caution with the registry tweak, not recommended for untrained users
Good find! I am tempted to try this. Very tempted.
I would not recommend to this IMHO.
Daniel
Daniel
You're right. I didn't do it.@ wrote:
I would not recommend to this IMHO.
Daniel
Why risk a good working computer for a few extras / features that are really pretty minor.
Very true and they are releasing it on Patch Tuesday in April!@ wrote:
You're right. I didn't do it.@ wrote:
I would not recommend to this IMHO.
Daniel
Why risk a good working computer for a few extras / features that are really pretty minor.
Daniel
cohbraz wrote:Good!!! This has been one of my largest complaints about 8 and 8.1 - how apps have to be shut down.I updated
This will be a huge improvement!
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