Just after a few days of Microsoft making Windows 8.1 Preview available to the masses for download and the Store finally reaching the 100,000 apps, we are now seeing the first round of updates being released.
According to WindowsObserver.com, in total there are five updates, which bring fixes to a strange behaviour that denies users from signing in to Google’s Picasa, Internet Explorer 11 not being able to resume downloads, and Windows 8 apps crash every time you try to start them. Also there is an update that improves robustness of data files and another one that improves compatibility issues in Windows 8.1 Preview and in Windows RT 8.1 Preview.
- Windows 8 apps crash update for Windows RT 8.1 Preview (KB2864247)
- Google Picasa update for Windows RT 8.1 Preview (KB2864806)
- Internet Explorer 11 resume update for Windows RT 8.1 Preview (KB2864808)
- Compatibility improvements update for Windows RT 8.1 Preview (KB2863312)
- Data robustness update for Windows RT 8.1 Preview (KB2864713)
Remember, that if you’re running the preview, you don’t have to go and get them right away. They will download automatically and the operating system will apply them during the next restart.
Windows 8.1 Preview for language packs
If you remember when Microsoft released the preview to the public, the company advised users with language pack installed on their PCs to not install Windows 8.1 Preview due to an unknown problem. Today that bug seems to be fixed and the software giant is letting users with language pack installed to update to the preview update. (This news was confirmed by Neowin.net.)
In case you want to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Preview through the Store, click here. If you feel more comfortable doing a clean install, you can download the ISO file here.
Also do not forget to check the FAQs before installing the update and what you have to do to avoid errors while in the upgrade process.
Windows 8.1 Preview apps update
In other news, Microsoft released a new update for the Photo app in Windows 8.1, and although, it brings new editing features, the company has decided to remove Facebook, Flickr, SkyDive, and Network folder support.
The Verge reports that Microsoft included these features in Photos at the beginning because there weren’t many apps with these options. The news comes just days after the software giant announced that Facebook will be building an app for Windows 8.1. This means that it is likely to hear from Microsoft about new plans with Photos and Facebook apps.
New Mail, Calendar, and People app
Finally, new leak images from Livesino.net shows that Microsoft is working not only on delivering a new Mail app update for the final release of Windows 8.1 RTM, but also a Calendar and People app.
For more information on the new apps, visit this previous Neowin.net article.
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].