Microsoft had released Windows 8 in the last October which provide a dual interface experience to it’s users. Now after a year in this October Microsoft come up with Windows 8.1 with enhanced features compared to windows 8.
Before the release of Windows 8.1 Microsoft had released a preview version of OS. If you are customer with a Windows 8 device then you can update to windows 8.1 through windows store for free. Click here to know how to upgrade to windows 8.1 if you are a windows 8 user.
If you have a PC running in Windows7/Vista/XP then click here for the information to get Windows 8.1 on your device. If you have a device running in Windows 8.1 Preview then a page will show where you can add features to the existing Preview OS while clicking any of the above links.
New features in Windows 8.1
Start Button
The old start button is now back in the new OS but in different style. In Windows 7 or old versions a click on Start button will show all the programs and important programs as list. But on pressing the start button in Windows 8.1 will take to the tile mode desktop. When right click the start button it will show important settings such as control panel.
Boot directly to desktop
Now you can boot directly to desktop mode bypassing the tile mode start screen.
On screen Keyboard
The onscreen key board now can be used for numbers or punctuation marks by swiping up keys. using side swipes and taps on the virtual spacebar you can also select from suggested words mid-stream.
New Gesture enabled apps
Now you can get a response from the apps by waving in the air in front of the front-facing camera.
Better tile organising
Now you can move the tiles by by tap and holding using the fingers and resize them into any of the 4 sizes. In Windows 8 we have to go back to the mouse or touchpad and right-click on tiles to move the tiles and only 2 defaults size were available there.
App access become Easier
Now you can access all the apps by just just a swipe up on your start screen.
Automatic Updates
In windows 8 apps are updated manually from the windows store. Now apps are updated in background without a reminder for updating them manually from store.
Suitable start screen for small tablets also
The home screen looks better in portrait mode on screens measuring 7 inches to 8 inches diagonally.
Lock screen usability
Now you can receive notifications from twitter, Facebook etc… , can receive Skype calls and can take photos from the lock screen without login.
Multitasking become better
Now you can run up to 4 apps in a single screen at once side by side double compared to previous one. To do so you have to need a high resolution monitor. By using the a slider that moves side to side, we can resize the app panes.
Global Search
While searching from the start screen it will show the results from your computer, web and and the Windows app store – if applicable. You have to choose one of the options in apps, settings, computer files or on the internet for a specific search.
Better browsing using IE
Before only 10 tabs can be opened in Internet Explorer and if you try to open more it will close automatically without prompt. Now you can open as many tabs you want and also can use 2 websites side by side.
Xbox music refresh
Now with a couple of taps you can create playlists from any website. By the Xbox one integration you can You can pick up where you left off if you start playing a video purchased on Xbox Video then watch the rest on Microsoft’s upcoming game console or Xbox One.
Picture editor
An in – built picture editor allows you to do basic editings such as photo touchups, cropping, contrast changes and other features.
Redesigned Windows Store
It has become easier to stay on top of the hottest and newest apps to hit the Windows Store With the “New & Rising” section. It allows you to do personalized settings powered by Bing. So you will be always updated with latest versions of apps like dobe Photoshop Express, Box, Evernote, Facebook, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and NOOK etc….
The installation of Windows 8.1 is just similar to windows 8.
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