Windows 8.1 RTM Released with Major Change to Answer People Disappointment

With the ultimate build of Windows 8.1 attributable to land within the next few days, a leaked version (build 9741) has created its manner on-line — and with it, a raft of wide-ranging changes that illustrate simply however hurried, unfinished, and inexpert the discharge of Windows 8 was.

The overarching theme during this take a look at build of the RTM (release-to-manufacturing) build is usability. Specifically, first-time usability. you may be stunned to listen to this, however it seems that Windows 8, while not a begin button and with most options hidden behind hard-to-discover menus, is difficult for first-time users to grok. We’re not entirely positive why Microsoft did this, it breaks one in all the foremost necessary rules of interface style. what is more, thousands of beta testers warned Microsoft that it merely wouldn’t fly. unflurried, convinced that it knew one thing that we have a tendency to didn’t, Microsoft pushed ahead with one in all the worst interface blunders of all time.

A year later, with lackluster Windows 8 sales and a nearly nonexistent Windows 8 pill market, it’s clear that Microsoft got it wrong — and currently Windows 8.1 hopes to rectify a number of those mistakes.

First up, Windows 8.1′s constitutional underground apps currently have a “three dots” button that reveals the app’s context menu — similar to Windows Phone 8. Previously, the sole thanks to notice the context menu was to come across it accidentally (right clicking the mouse, or swiping up). presumptively different third-party apps can have the choice of as well as this visual prompt, too.

In the same vein, and maybe additional significantly, Microsoft’s constitutional apps can currently cue users to swipe in from the correct to reveal the Charms bar and therefore the begin button. Again, the Charms bar was antecedently solely ascertainable by random luck, feat several users to marvel the way to come back to to the beginning screen. several underground apps link into Share and Search on the Charms bar, too — however a fat ton of fine that did, if users couldn’t notice those buttons.

The take a look at build additionally includes a “Help + Tips” app, which incorporates some video tutorials which will assist you notice your manner around all of Windows 8.1′s new options. this is often a major intensify from the previous “tutorial,” that basically consisted of AN animated, noninteractive GIF throughout the installation method telling you to “move your mouse into any corner.” As for why Microsoft didn’t includes these video tutorials within the original unharness of Windows 8, i assume the sole answer is arrogance.

Rounding out the opposite changes found within the leaked build, Skype is currently pre-installed as a stock app, and Facebook and Flickr image integration are born in favor of SkyDrive. this is often an evident and fairly objectionable play for additional market/usage share from Microsoft, and extremely a trifle of a slap within the face for any Windows 8 users United Nations agency upgrade and notice that they’ve lost access to their Flickr and Facebook photos. It’s potential that some practicality are going to be preserved by the introduction of Facebook and Flickr apps, however it still sounds like AN fanatic move from Microsoft. There are some new “parallax” begin screen wallpapers that move as you scroll through your tiles, as well as a automaton and a dragon.

There aren't any more changes on the Desktop aspect of the equation, as so much as we will tell. As per the Windows 8.1 Preview, you'll currently flip the beginning button back on, put off the recent corners, and boot straight to the Desktop once work in.

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