New Windows 8.1 Update 1 screenshots leaked by WZor show the latest progress Microsoft is making in the forthcoming update, which is set to arrive later this year, by spring time.
In a new tweet WZor, a very reliable source for leaking Microsoft information, notes the latest Windows 8.1 Update 1 build as 6.3.9600.16596.WINBLUES14_GDR_LEAN.140114-0237. Here is the original tweet:
NEW! Win 8.1 2014 Update Build Leak
6.3.9600.16596.WINBLUES14_GDR_LEAN.140114-0237
screenshot's soon and may by possible ISO public leaks!— 🔮WZor👁️ (@WZorNET) January 21, 2014
The new leaked screenshots for Update 1 (or GDR1) show the current development of Windows 8.1 Pro, though the promised Start menu isn’t in this build either. However there is something really interesting worth noting, a few of the screenshots show that users will able to pin modern Windows 8 apps into the desktop’s taskbar (something you currently can’t do in Windows 8.1), by configuring a new option from the Taskbar properties (Show Store apps in the taskbar).
Gallery
Although this might not seem like a significant change, it actually is, because integrating modern apps in desktop and bringing the Start menu is part of what Microsoft is planning for Windows 9 “Threshold” to make the operating system more user friendly with keyboard and mouse. And that’s not all… Paul Thurrott from WinSuperSite, claims that Windows 8.1 Update 1 will also include a close button for modern apps, which will work in the same way desktop applications work today.
Wrapping things up, keep in mind that the spring update for Windows 8.1 isn’t plan to bring many feature or huge cosmetic changes, as Microsoft is only planning to include changes under the hood to bring Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 closer together to make it easier for developers to code apps that run on both platforms.
SEE ALSO: First Windows 8.1 Update 1 screenshots leaked, but no UI changes yet
When Windows 8.1 Update 1 will be released? Well, we’ll probably start seeing leak ISO pretty soon, but official we will see a fully stable release during the BUILD developer conference in April.
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].