Windows 8.1 Update 2 Confirmed

Microsoft has already rolled out Windows 8.1 Update, but the company is now working on a second pack of improvements that could be released sometime this year and brings several improvements to the modern platform.

According to new details that reached the web this morning, Microsoft is already working on Windows 8.1 Update 2, which is another sign that this OS version is very likely to hit the shelves in just a few months.

Microsoft has already confirmed at the BUILD 2014 developer conference that it's working on a second update for Windows 8.1, but only a few details have actually been confirmed.

Windows 8.1 Update 2 will come with a new Start menu that would try to make the modern operating system a bit more familiar and thus bring back the full functionality of the desktop available in all Windows versions before Windows 8.

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[Yorky]

I also hope that the Upgrade will allow the return to Start Button to be optional. I have accepted and preferred the new Start Screen since day 1 of Windows 8.
Re the problem with Firefox & Flash Player suffered by 'Rickkins', may I ask has he tried Waterfox? I've used Waterfox with Windows 8 since day 1 and no such problems; it's an excellent browser, fast enough for me and allows customisation to suit personal taste. I dropped IE long ago, don't like it but I may add to each their own.

 

[CountMike]

That's all just training wheels for Win9.

 

[Rickkins]

Re the problem with Firefox & Flash Player suffered by 'Rickkins', may I ask has he tried Waterfox? I've used Waterfox with Windows 8 since day 1 and no such problems; it's an excellent browser, fast enough for me and allows customisation to suit personal taste. I dropped IE long ago, don't like it but I may add to each their own.

In fact yes I have. I was using Cyberfox when I installed the update, after which I tried several different flavors to alleviate the issues, including Waterfox.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

looks OK to me.

It gets a bit unreal though with the whole start menu thing -- remember at the introduction of W8 the boards were absolutely jam packed full of posts wanting the classical menu back -- guess what - now we are seeing posts saying Please DON'T bring it back.

Seems you can never please everyone. - What I would like though is dynamically updating (in real time) metro apps able to operate in re-sizeable windows -- not this cackhanded idea of 1/2 or 1/4 of the screen or whatever that they have now. The windows should be able to be moved to different screens in a multi-monitor setup just like "normal" windows apps do - and if required they can also operate in full screen.

Another feature would be for these apps to be able to work in BORDERLESS re-sizeable windows too.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[alphanumeric]

to the resizable Window for Metro Apps.

Last time I checked you can move Metro Apps from screen to screen like you can an open desktop program? With Update 1 you can drag and drop from the title bar.

 

[elbeasto]

If it does have a start menu then I would consider buying Win 8 and using it but TBH, this should have been an option upon release, or if not within the first few months.

In any case Win 9 can't be that far away & I'm happy with Win 7.X.XX.X until then if need be.

 

[msdos622wasfun]

I certainly won't mind if they bring it back, just like I haven't minded the gradual evolutions and tweaks that have occurred since the original 8 came out. I think the majority of Windows users mainly want options; MS seems to be slowly noticing this. Or at least, certainly they once did, and then the regime for the last couple years just prior to 8's release may have neglected that aspect a little, because they didn't allow any way to access the classic interface, thus "forcing" Metro and the Start screen on everyone. But just maybe we can head into the future with a mobile, touch vision, while allowing users to slowly adopt it so that that what they're used to (desktop, mouse, keyboard, etc.) isn't abruptly taken away from them at a time when they're not fully ready. We need time for this to take shape. I like the Start screen, always have. But I recognize my way of working or thinking might be different from someone else's.

 

[davehc]

If it does have a start menu then I would consider buying Win 8 and using it but TBH, this should have been an option upon release, or if not within the first few months.

In any case Win 9 can't be that far away & I'm happy with Win 7.X.XX.X until then if need be.

Fair comment. If you are happy with Windows 7, and it does what you require, why move on. But with so many excellent third party start menus available, if that is your direction, then it should not be a prohibitive reason for not purchasing Windows 8. I, and I am sure most others, have for many years installed third party programs which I consider superior to those built in to Oss, so it is not (by me!) considered a big deal- most certainly not a purchasing consideration..

As far as "windowing" is concerned. Well, I did use modermix, which has taken care of that, but, frankly, I only use on so-called "App", other than that, my software is all legacy, from Windows 7, all of which runs in winnowed environment.

 

[Rickkins]

Well, lol - firefox sucks, it is internet explorer 5 v2.0 of modern era, it is the worst and slowest browser, i got rid of it long time ago, such buggs, much slow ...

Well to each his own. I've been with the same browser since the beginning(Netscape 1.0) and I'll likely play out the clock using the same*

*Firefox and any derivatives are descendants of the original Netscape.

 

[BunnyJ]

Well, lol - firefox sucks, it is internet explorer 5 v2.0 of modern era, it is the worst and slowest browser, i got rid of it long time ago, such buggs, much slow ...

Well to each his own. I've been with the same browser since the beginning(Netscape 1.0) and I'll likely play out the clock using the same*

*Firefox and any derivatives are descendants of the original Netscape.

I've used Netscape/Firefox for just about the same time and I've not had any issues with it. Of course YMMV and even with the added advertising on the new tab screen I think I'll continue to use it.
I for one would like a clarification from nonono on what issues he has rather than putting out a blanket condemnation of a fine browser.

 

[CountMike]

"I don't like it, therefore it's no good" is no argument at all, it's not an opinion even. Using same combination Netscape/FF for years and did not go crazy (yet). Simple fact is that FF suits me, so I'm keeping it, nothing else to it. With a right combination of ad-ons it does the job just fine. Flash is what makes me more problems than anything else. Chrome is fine one too but FF suits me better so it's a keeper for me.

 

[alihomsi20]

Cant Wait To Try The New Start Menu

 

[adamf]

"I don't like it, therefore it's no good" is no argument at all, it's not an opinion even..

Right on mate. Can you elaborate the "I don't like it 'cos it it rubbish" argument to include the start button, the inability of people to press the "off" button to turn off their PC and (in case you forgot) the "start button".

Don't forget there is a lot of rubbish in Windows 8 that people don't want to see (and therefore don't)
It doesn't fit with your current argument though. We would need a second "It is rubbish, I don't look at it but I'm still cross even though I don't look and at it I know it is there". Or would that be silly?

 

[CountMike]

"I don't like it, therefore it's no good" is no argument at all, it's not an opinion even..

Right on mate. Can you elaborate the "I don't like it 'cos it it rubbish" argument to include the start button, the inability of people to press the "off" button to turn off their PC and (in case you forgot) the "start button".

Don't forget there is a lot of rubbish in Windows 8 that people don't want to see (and therefore don't)
It doesn't fit with your current argument though. We would need a second "It is rubbish, I don't look at it but I'm still cross even though I don't look and at it I know it is there". Or would that be silly?

Right, that reminds me of an old lady protesting about a book. When they asked her if she read it at all, she said: "I don't read that rubbish".

 

[adamf]

that reminds me of an old lady protesting about a book. When they asked her if she read it at all, she said: "I don't read that rubbish".

I've a feeling (but don't quote me on this) that she was talking about the Bible.

 

[BlueMasterFX]

They should just call this thing Windows 8.2 then 8.3..etc. Maybe there is no Windows 9 since Microsoft probably thinks Windows 8 is a major shift from traditional Windows. Similar to that of OS X. There is no OS 11 because there is no drastic shift from OS X.

 

[msdos622wasfun]

Would it be better if there were separate editions of Windows that catered to the different audiences, like a tablet version where the desktop fades away, a hybrid version with both the desktop and Metro/Store so that people can use both, and an Enterprise/Pro version where the primary focus is desktop productivity?

 

[CountMike]

Would it be better if there were separate editions of Windows that catered to the different audiences, like a tablet version where the desktop fades away, a hybrid version with both the desktop and Metro/Store so that people can use both, and an Enterprise/Pro version where the primary focus is desktop productivity?

I guess we should "wish upon a star", M$ does not offer much hope for things like that.

 

[msdos622wasfun]

True, one can only hope I guess. Sometimes I think they are capable, what with the "backtracking" they've been doing with Xbox One and the updates to Windows 8 that they've been doing to appease keyboard and mouse users.

 

[BlueMasterFX]

Would it be better if there were separate editions of Windows that catered to the different audiences, like a tablet version where the desktop fades away, a hybrid version with both the desktop and Metro/Store so that people can use both, and an Enterprise/Pro version where the primary focus is desktop productivity?

That would be a huge mess. The average user will look at the store shelf and be like "WTF?" lol It's simple for them to implement. All of these options should be given to the user at the Windows Setup screen when they finish installing Windows on their computer. Windows should automatically detect if the computer is a desktop, a non touch screen laptop, a hybrid or a tablet and configure the appropriate settings. Or give the consumer a custom option as well that they can change at anytime through Control Panel. Why is this not implemented, I don't know lol.