What's New in Windows 8.1

What new features to expect from Windows 8.1 if I install it?

1. Personalization & User Interface in Windows 8.1
2. Search in Windows 8.1
3. Apps, Windows Store, SkyDrive & Internet Explorer in Windows 8.1
4. PC Settings + Other Improvements in Windows 8.1
5. Windows 10: what’s new?

We all thought that Microsoft was going to name the first update to Windows 8 “Blue”, but apparently things are different. The first official update has been dubbed simple, Windows 8.1, and the announcement has been made today. It might seem like a small update to some, but once you’ll get a closer look at the things Microsoft will change, you’ll realize this is actually going to have a big impact and will, perhaps, make consumers give Window 8 the love it deserves.

Announced on Windows’ corporate blog, the Windows 8.1 update comes to solve frustrations amongst users and to make things right. Microsoft has announced that this is only a preview, but a working link has yet to be provided. Without further ado, let’s have a close look at all the things that Microsoft plans to change in Windows 8 with the 8.1 update.

Windows 8.1 – What is new in this version?

Just as expected, Windows 8 remains touch oriented, as it was thought from the very beginning. Probably the most talked about feature will be the Start button, which has been so missed by consumers all over the world. Windows 8.1 has also brought significant changes to its Search, Multitasking and Lockscreen features. To make it much easier for readers, we’re going to group the most important changes according to the Windows team and briefly describe them.

Personalization & User Interface in Windows 8.1

• The improved lock screen functionality now allows to take Skype calls, take pictures even if the PC is locked
• New large and small live tiles as animated icons that will appear on the Start Screen
• The Weather tile now covers 3 cities and 3 days of forecast
• Apps will automatically be pinned to the Start Screen
• Start Screen background will now include motion pictures
• Snap View which lets you control how much of the screen a certain app should use
• The Start button is back, but not the Start menu

Search in Windows 8.1

• The Search future has been seriously revamped, mixing search results from your computer with those from the web, powered by Bing, of course. All of this is done in a nice and appealing manner. So, if you’ll search for, say, Bee Gees, it will make a resume of the info it found online and also let you listen to their songs.

Apps, Windows Store, SkyDrive & Internet Explorer in Windows 8.1

• SkyDrive is becoming more embedded inside Windows 8, so you will be able to browse all the files available on your computer, as well as on your cloud storage, even when offline.
• All the core Windows 8 apps will receive significant updates
• Improvements coming to the Windows Store, meaning that finding new and specific apps will no longer be a hussle
• Internet Explorer will arrive with Windows 8.1, bringing faster browsing speeds and increase support for touch

PC Settings + Other Improvements in Windows 8.1

• When the future version of Windows Phone will be released, it will allow users to sync it with Windows 8. So, you will be able to resume on your phone where you left off on your PC
• Reading list function in the Share Charm that will work as a bookmarks list
• The Camera app will include full panoramic support
• The ability to change PC settings without having to go to the Control Panel

Windows 10: what’s new?

For those of you who want to go further and upgrade to Windows 10, here are some of new great features that Windows 10 1803 have:

• Windows Autopilot – provides a great lyfecycle device management
• Windows 10 Subscription activation – supports Inherited Activation. This feature let your Windows 10 virtual machines to inherit activation state
• New DISM commands – new installation/uninstallation commands inserted (check them here)
• SetupDiag – a new diagnostic tool that helps you see why a specific WIndows update failed

There are other interesting features that Windows 10 1803 have. We suggest you to check all of them on Microsoft’s official website. If you simply want to install Windows 10 on your machine – feel free to check our site whenever you have a problem or an error. We monitor all these issues daily and creating fixing guides.

READ ALSO: New Windows 10 preview build shows what’s next for the OS