Microsoft releases update for Windows 8.1 on April 8

Microsoft announced the first update to Windows 8.1 on Wednesday. The update comes April 8 and brings some improvements to the operating system that should particularly appeal to mouse users, such as the taskbar that can be called up in the new Start Menu.

With Windows 8.1 Update 1, Microsoft continues on the path the company has taken with Windows 8.1. The company is trying to make the old desktop environment more compatible with the new Modern UI, an interface that is mainly optimized for touchscreen users.

The taskbar, among other things, should take care of this: it can now also be called up in the new Start Menu. Apps from the Modern UI can also be pinned to this. Microsoft has also taken the step to have every system that does not have a touchscreen boot to the desktop environment. Computers with a touchscreen do start up to the new Start Menu immediately after installation.

The update makes it easier to close and minimize apps in the new environment with the mouse by means of a title bar, with old-fashioned closing cross, and by calling up a context menu with a right mouse click. There is also a special view to show more apps on the overview page in the Start Menu and the search and close functions are now prominently placed on that start menu.

One of the few real enhancements is the ability to see the system’s total disk space in the new environment, including how much space apps, music, video, and other documents are taking up.

Finally, the update ensures that Windows 8.1 supports more hardware. The OS should now also run smoothly on devices with only 1GB of memory and 16GB of storage. As a result, Microsoft hopes that Windows will also be put on cheaper tablets and laptops with low system specifications.

The update will be available this Tuesday for free for Windows 8.1 systems via Windows Update.

More details about the Windows 8.1 update can be found in the background article Windows 8.1 Update 1: Mouse Steps Ahead.