Microsoft has apparently delayed the Windows 8.1 Update 1 release from March to April this year.
Microsoft launched Windows 8 operating system as the successor to Windows 7 at the International CES 2011. The company made an initial release of the software in August 2012 and it was publicly available in October 2012. Microsoft also made major changes to the user interface of the new operating system, some of which did not go down too well with consumers.
Even though Microsoft improved performance, enhanced security and included support for touchscreen devices, many customers found the new user interface confusing and difficult to understand.
To address the problems raised by customers, Microsoft released the Windows 8.1 software update in August 2013. Windows 8.1 update bought the Start button back to the task bar, which was missed by many Windows users.
The Windows 8.1 Update 1 is expected to bring even more visibility enhancements to the operating system. Update 1 is also likely to improve experience for customers who prefer using the operating system using a mouse and a keyboard.
Previous reports suggested that Microsoft will release Windows 8.1 Update 1 on March 11 this year. However, a ZDNet report indicates that the software update may be pushed to April.
"I've heard from two of my sources in the past week that Microsoft's ship target for Windows 8.1 Update 1 has shifted from March 2014 to April 2014," reports ZDNet. "The idea remains to use Patch Tuesday to distribute the coming so-called "Spring" update via Windows Update, my sources said. If that is the case, Windows 8.1 Update 1 should be pushed to users on April 8, rather than March 11."
In mid-January this year, a leaked Windows 8.1 Update 1 test build showed a glimpse of a number of upcoming new features in the operating system. The leaked version of the software update showed off the ability to pin Metro apps to the Desktop task bar, new right-clickable context-sensitive menus and added dedicated search and power buttons to the Start screen. The leaked build also included a new Enterprise Mode for Internet Explorer 11.
Rumors also indicate that Windows 8.1 Update 1 may change the default start-up experience for customers. If speculations are to be believed then the desktop will become default rather than the Metro Start screen. However, per a ZDNet report, those who downloaded the leaked version of the Windows 8.1 Update 1 "noted that boot-to-desktop was not set as the default configuration."
Microsoft has not yet confirmed a release date for Windows 8.1 Update 1. However rumors also hint that OEM's will start getting the software release in March so that they can pre-load the latest Update 1 on their new devices.
