Microsoft forges ahead toward Windows 8.1 Update 1

New screen shots shared by Windows leaker "WZor" on January 8 indicate Microsoft's progress on an update to Windows 8.1 due out this spring.

Back in October 2013, I blogged about the coming Windows 8.1 Update 1 release -- an updated version of the Windows 8.1 operating system. According to my contacts, Microsoft is/was planning to deliver this update around the time it releases its Windows Phone 8.1 "Blue" operating system release. The goal of Windows 8.1 Update 1 is to bring the PC/tablet and phone operating system platforms into closer alignment, from a programming interface standpoint.
WZor's new screen shots don't show any new features and he has not shared any leaked Update 1 bits at this point. He says that Microsoft's "golden" OEM partners will be getting confidential test builds later this month. It sounds as if no public preview is planned for the Update 1 release.
WZor's accompanying blog post (translated from Russian) indicates that Microsoft is planning to release to manufacturing (RTM) Update 1 in March and make it publicly available as of April 2014 as a free upgrade for all Windows 8.1 users via Windows Update. He also claims that MSDN and Microsoft volume licensees also will get the RTM bits by late March or early April.
Not so coincidentally, Microsoft's Build 2014 developer conference is set for April 2 to 4 in San Francisco.

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