Microsoft forced to update Windows 8 to Windows 8.1?
Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 will be officially launched on 17th October this year. It will be available to all Windows 8 users around the world to download and install for free via Microsoft’s store. Microsoft developed Windows 8 in a vision to bring a modern computing experience and an interface that could be used in mobile touch screen devices while also serving the users of traditional PC’s. Microsoft advances this vision by introducing Windows 8.1 which has advanced manageability, mobility, security, user experience and networking capabilities. Microsoft’s LeBlanc said that “Windows 8.1 brings many improvements in areas like personalization, Internet, security; search powered by Bling, built in apps including a few new ones, and improved window store experience and closed connectivity with skydrive that people will enjoy.”
Image Courtesy: Microsoft
Most interesting features include:
Native 3D Printing:
Unlike any other OS out there windows 8.1 has its own inbuilt software for 3D and Wi-Fi printing. Generally expensive software has to be installed in your system to create 3D printed objects but with native support for 3D printing, Windows 8.1 enable 3D printing as easy as printing a word document on a paper printer.
Embedded wireless radio:
During windows 8 launch, in order for the devices to support embedded radios, separate components were used within in the system, making its size relatively bigger and increased power consumption. But with new Windows 8.1, it supports embedded wireless radio which gives you to use much more sophisticated, thin, power efficient and affordable devices.
The New Internet Explorer 11:
Internet Explorer 11 includes enhanced user interface, secuirty and faster page load times. It has this unique way of scanning files downloaded from internet using anti-malware solution before it is passed on for execution.
Improved Anti-Malware Solutions:
Improved Windows Defender, and Microsoft’s free anti-virus solution in Windows 8 helps in monitoring and identifying potentially dangerous behaviors and providing protection from known and unknown malware..
SkyDrive cloud storage:
You can directly store your data and files into SkyDrive cloud storage and can access those data wherever you go, even when you are offline. With SkyDrive app, you can always keep track of your data anywhere from the world.
Easy User Interface Customization:
Configurations to boot directly to the desktop are available. Enhancements have been made for users who prefer mouse and keyboard to access applications.
The features listed above are just a few of what Windows 8.1 has to offer.
Some analysts say that the reason why a new update is being launched right after the launch of Windows 8 is because of the slow adaption of Windows 8, which made some radical change to the design of the desktop, in this competitive market. So Microsoft decided to maximize the easiness of computing by introducing a new Microsoft Windows 8 update-Windows 8.1. According to critics, Windows 8 has restricted Windows Store and its touch features somehow alienate traditional Windows desktop users. Windows 8.1 can be considered as Microsoft’s call to all these critiques.However it is clear that if you enjoy using Windows 8, then you are definitely going to love Windows 8.1.A pre-release version of Windows 8.1 is already available for anyone to download and try.
