Windows Blue to include three additional features: Slide to shut down, automatic app update, and a new File Manager Windows 8-style app, a really welcome addition for PC and Windows RT users alike.
Since the early leak of Windows Blue several days ago there has been a flood of new information emerging about features and changes that may or may not make it into the next Windows 8 upgrade, planned to be ready later this summer. And now three more interesting features has been discovered:
Slide to shut down
“Slide to shut down” is a possible new feature coming in Blue. It was first spotted by WinBeta.org, and it is a feature that at this stage is only visible by executing an .exe file located in the famous System32 folder.
This could be a nice addition to Windows Blue PCs, since people has been a little frustrated on Microsoft decisions to move the shut down option to the Start screen side-menu, even though logically makes more sense the new location (
+I > Power button > Shut down), which also led many users to resource to shortcut alternatives.
Automatic update
With Windows 8, Microsoft has introduced to the world a new user-interface together with a new model of applications. These new modern apps (a.k.a Windows 8 apps or Windows Store apps) are great, because they are focus around content, leaving out of the way buttons, options and settings. The one issue, though, is that they require to be updated manually and when you start installing many of them, it can become a chore to maintain.
Users already noticed this inconvenience and now Microsoft is responding to the request, according to the folks of Neowin.net, Windows Blue will allow apps to be configured for automatic updates.
The new option will be easily configurable by switching the “Update my apps automatically” option to “On” in the Windows Update settings page.
File manager
Take this one with a grain of salt, but apparently Windows Blue will also include a “File Manager” Windows 8-style app. Some interesting evidence has been found that suggest Microsoft could be planning on providing this new feature in the upcoming upgrade.
The screenshot you see below shows the File Manager app running (thanks to some enthusiast users who made this possible) and it also unveils quite a few options that will include the app commands such as creating and deleting files, add files, details and selections options.
It will not happen anytime soon, but it is not a secret that Microsoft plans to eventually get rid of the desktop in favor of the new Metro user-interface, and the company providing a proper modern interface brings this reality one step closer. But for now it will be something that Windows RT users will enjoy the most.
Although, these few new features don’t offer a very big deal of enhancements, they will be welcome additions for users to be a bit more productive in Windows. Stay tuned, because we expect more information about Windows Blue to keep surfacing until the final public release due later this summer.
Images courtesy of Neowin
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].