Windows 8.1 Update 1 reaches RTM Escrow, new leaked screenshots reveals

Windows 8.1 Update 1 RTM Escrow (almost final)

Although Microsoft is rumored to release Windows 8.1 Update 1 in April, it doesn’t mean development cannot be completed long before. Newly leaked screenshots from WZor suggests that Windows 8.1 Update 1 has reached RTM Escrow status, which means features are locked-in, testing and deliver to OEMs is coming up next.

According to various rumors Microsoft may be planning to ship Update 1 to PC manufacturers by the end of February, early March. Users will get the final bits on April 8th, which is a Patch Tuesday, the day like in every month Microsoft rolls out new updates to fix bugs in Windows.

What will be included with Windows 8.1 Update 1? Thus far what is known is that Microsoft is focusing the update to make the operating system more user-friendly with keyboard and mouse. You’ll see changes in the Start screen such as new context menu for live tiles, new search and Power Options right on start, Apps view also gets some refinements, the software giant is reportedly making the installation of Windows 8.1 much lighter, so the OS can fit on smaller and cheaper devices, and a lot more. To get to know everything that is coming in Update 1, check out my overview on new features and changes, you can also watch my hands-on video with Windows 8.1 Update 1.

There is another leaked version of Windows 8.1 Update 1 circulating around the internet (pre-RTM Escrow) and for what I hear it was compiled January 30th. It doesn’t include many changes, but many sites report that boot-to-desktop is enabled by default — something I’m surprise to read as I tested a previous build at it booted straight to the Start screen.

Also there are several claims about a change that makes the taskbar transparent even when switching to Windows 8-style apps. And now you can also find the Enterprise Mode in Internet Explorer 11.

Source WZor

About the author

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 14 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 20 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.