Windows 8 1 Update 1 Development Reaches Rtm Desktop Improvements Coming In April

Microsoft signs off the final version of Windows 8.1 Update 1. Now the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of the software is shipping to PC makers and different partners for further testing.

While we knew about the development of Windows 8.1 Update 1, this news follows Microsoft’s recent acknowledgment of the update development. The company announced, what we know as Update 1 as a “spring” update for Windows 8.1 at the Mobile World Congress press event a few days ago.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 is an update focus on making the operating system more appealing to keyboard and mouse users. Among the changes users will notice a new option to pin Metro-style apps to the taskbar, the ability to see running apps on the taskbar, and new power options in the Start screen. Non-touch devices will also get the option to close and minimize Metro-style apps with a new title bar that appears at the top of the screen.

SEE ALSO: Windows 8.1 Update 1: the complete list of changes and new features

Furthermore users with keyboard and mouse will be able to right-click on live tiles to get access to a new context menu to resize, unpin, uninstall, and more. Also the software giant decided to boot to desktop in Windows 8.1 Update 1 for those users without touchscreen displays.

The spring update for Windows 8.1 also brings a smaller footprint installation, which will allow PC makers to make computers with just 1GB of RAM and 16GB of disk space. Also the company is working on lowering the license price to bring cheaper devices to the market and combat Google Chromebooks and Android devices. Although, these changes aren’t as big as the ones found in Windows 8.1, the new Windows 8.1 Update 1 still a very significant update that shows Microsoft is working on making the operating system more useful in the desktop. Microsoft is even considering making a free version of Windows 8.1 called “Windows 8.1 with Bing”. The spring update for Windows 8.1 is expected to release on April 8th and the company plans to make it available via Windows Update.

Source The Verge