09:25
Unknown
Microsoft Windows 8.1 is finally available for download for all the existing Windows 8 users for free. It is available globally. This is the first major update for Windows 8 which was launched last year, and is yet to make a widely positive impression.
Well, Windows 8 was a massive shift for the product when compared with its earlier versions. Windows 8.1 update further refines the new Windows experience as Microsoft has made some crucial changes from the feedback they received from users and also added some new features of its own.
Here is what is new with the Windows 8.1 update.
The Start button is back:
Microsoft chose not to include the Start button with Windows 8, and this was a huge disappointment for many users. Windows 8.1 brings it back. However, its implementation is much different. Clicking on the button would lead users to a different Start screen where they can see all apps that have been installed on the device without the Live Times.
Boot to desktop:
Another Windows 8 feature which many users did not like was that the device would boot to open the new home screen which was introduced with the operating system. With Windows 8.1 users can now boot directly to desktop mode.
Search:
Windows 8.1 introduces universal search which would search for keywords on files stored locally, those stored on SkyDrive, keyword references in apps, online search by Bing, media files and also Wikipedia.
Multitasking:
In Windows 8, users could only open two apps at a time with the new UI, one of them would occupy about two-thirds of the screen estate while other would become a mere sidebar. In Windows 8.1 users can now resize the apps according to their preference and can have more than two apps open at any give point, provided their display has high resolution. Every app will take at least 500 pixels of width.
SkyDrive:
This cloud service from Microsoft has already been integrated with Window 8 and it get even better with Windows 8.1. All files will be automatically backed up on SkyDrive, this will also back up the users' system settings. So when a users logs in from a different PC, their settings will be available on that device.
Windows Store:
Microsoft has made it a lot easier to discover new apps from the Windows Store. Installed apps will also download automatically and the limits for re-installs have now been removed.
Settings:
On Windows 8 the settings menu was a huge disaster. One would get only a few settings with the Modern UI and everything else was found when in the desktop mode. Windows 8.1 brings all the possible settings to a single place even in the Modern UI.
Other improvements:
There are a bunch of other improvements like Internet Explorer 11, now allows unlimited tabs and syncs bookmarks across devices. Improvements have been made to the keyboard and some new pre-installed apps from Microsoft. The lock screen can now work as a personalized photo frame. The Start screen can have animated backgrounds and there are more size options for Tiles which can be resized more easily even when not using a mouse.
In short, Windows 8.1 is what Windows 8 should have delivered. This was a much needed change for Windows 8 and it has finally arrived for its users. It is great to see that Microsoft has implemented many of the suggestions made by its users and we can now look forward to much frequent updates of the Windows operating system.
Tags
Bing Home Screen Microsoft Microsoft Windows 8.1 SkyDrive Start Button Start Screen Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Windows 8.1 Features Windows 8.1 Improvements Windows 8.1 Update Windows Experience Windows Update
via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGYrhmbiLrrfilnYbRfH8VTWvsNZw&url=http://gigjets.com/10/13865-microsoft-windows-8-1-now-available-for-download/
Put the internet to work for you.
Posted in: Tablets 4 Kids
0 comments:
Post a Comment