Mark your calendar because the latest rumor suggests that Microsoft is targeting the release of Windows 8.1 Update 1 for March 11, 2014, ZDNet reports from trusted sources familiar to the development. And it’s not an accident that the update will roll out in a Patch Tuesday as the company will make the Update 1 available through the Windows Update and not from the Windows Store like happened with Windows 8.1.
Another new piece of information about Windows 8.1 Update 1 is that Microsoft is planning to reduce the memory and disk space requirements to install the operating system, changes that will make Windows better suited for low-cost and small tablets.
Early this week we’ve seen leak screenshots for Windows 8.1 Update 1, which highlighted a new a new option that will let users pin modern apps to the desktop’s taskbar. Then a second set of leaked screenshots appeared showing a hover preview of running pinned apps in the taskbar. Also it is confirmed that Microsoft is working on including close and minimized buttons on Windows 8-style apps to improve usability while further integrating “Metro” with the desktop.
SEE ALSO: First Windows 8.1 Update 1 screenshots leaked, but no UI changes yet
According to ZDNet’s report the Windows 8.1 Update 1, which will see the light on March 11, won’t merge the operating system application programming interface (or API) with the ones in Windows Phone 8.1. Apparently Microsoft is focusing on improving Windows 8.1 to make it more business user-friendly. Also no word yet on the Start menu, though it could arrive in the next minor Windows update, but it’s more than likely that we’ll see the Start menu with Windows 9 “Threshold”, which will release in April 2015.
Update: Latest information now indicates that Microsoft is targeting April 8th, 2014, for the release of Windows 8.1 Update 1.
Source ZDNet
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].