Microsoft has officially announced the release of the new Windows 8.1 operating system and its features. It will be available later this year as a free upgrade for Windows 8 users and will come with the highly anticipated Start button. Windows 8 has been heavily criticized for its touch focused start screen and missing start button. However, Microsoft decided to reintroduce the missing Start button, though it will not be a full featured Start button with access to programs, instead it will simply take you to start screen.
In a blog post, Microsoft confirmed that the new Windows 8.1 would be designed on customers’ feedback. It will have several improvements and new features especially on Personalization, Windows Store, built-in apps, and search areas.
Below is the brief details of the new changes and additions of the new Windows 8.1 operating system
Personalization:
– You can turn your PC or tablet into a picture frame by making your Lock screen a slide show of your pictures.
– Options for more colors and backgrounds for the Start screen – including ones with motion.
– Option to choose your desktop background as your Start screen background.
– The Start screen will features a variety of tile sizes including a new large and new small tile, so you can organize your Start screen exactly the way you want it.
– You can now select multiple apps all at once, resize them, uninstall them, or rearrange them.
Search:
– The built-in search will give global search results powered by Bing.
– It features new quick actions, like playing music or videos, so that you can do so right from the results.
– You can now scroll to the left to access local files, apps and settings results.
– Microsoft compares it to a modern version of the Windows command line.
Apps and Windows Store:
– All built in apps will have new features and design changes and the new Store will show more info.
– Improvements in using multiple apps at once in Windows 8.1.
– bring variable, continuous size of snap views.
– You can re-size apps to any size you want, share the screen between two apps, or have up to three apps on each screen if you have multiple displays connected
Cloud Connectivity:
– In Windows 8.1, your files can be saved directly to SkyDrive, so you can always have your files with you.
– The new SkyDrive app gives you access to your files that are on your device or in the cloud, and files are accessible even when offline.
– If you log in with your Microsoft account, personalization takes place automatically.
PC Settings:
– Gives you access to all your settings on your device without having to go to the Control Panel on the desktop.
Internet Explorer:
– Internet Explorer 11 will be the browser which features better touch performance, faster page load times and other new features.
– Options to adjust the appearance of the modern IE11 to always show the address bar and open an unlimited number of tabs.
– Tabs will be automatically synced across devices.
Better Mouse and Keyboard Options:
– It will have number of improvements to ensure easier navigation for people using a mouse and keyboard.
– Options to change what the corners do, and options to boot into alternate screens.
You can read more about new features and improvements of Microsoft new OS Windows 8.1 at here.
