Windows 8.1 update leaks to the web, direct from Redmond

The much-anticipated update to Windows 8.1, which is scheduled for release to the general public in early April, has leaked to the web early.

And this time the leak comes from an unexpected source: Microsoft itself.

Windows 8.1 update leaks to the web, direct from Redmond | ZDNet

 

[HippsieGypsie]

So the age old question, does this update pack have anything performance wise that's worthwhile?

And also, can some of the new additions be turned off? Such as apps on the Desktop and power button on Start?

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I'd rather have one upheaval of the UI design and remove ALL the old vestiges of Aero design and replace it all with lush metro designed everything. I'm getting tired of the 2006 inspired Desktop and modern inspired design language smooshed together....

I agree. I hope I can either turn these features off if they're on by default or choose which update I want to install. They're ruining it by trying to satisfy those "other users" with too much mixing. I don't need no stinkin' Taskbar on my Start Screen. There's one on the Desktop app that those "other users" boot to anyway. I don't need no stinkin' Xs to close out an app. There may be a few things worthwhile like the IE11 update, but like you stated, if it doesn't help with performance this update doesn't look like it's worthwhile.

Now I'm off to change my Windows Update settings from automatically download to decide which ones.

2-a-roo

HG

 

[davehc]

I would not normally bother with early leaks. But this one was of interest and I have been having "pre" looks. But, nevertheless, I see that quite respectable pages are suing, and commenting, on the RTM leak, so it looks like it is status quo.

Just to add. I downloaded from Microsoft, without obligation. Cant get more official than that!

 

[alphanumeric]

So the age old question, does this update pack have anything performance wise that's worthwhile?

And also, can some of the new additions be turned off? Such as apps on the Desktop and power button on Start?

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I'd rather have one upheaval of the UI design and remove ALL the old vestiges of Aero design and replace it all with lush metro designed everything. I'm getting tired of the 2006 inspired Desktop and modern inspired design language smooshed together....

I agree. I hope I can either turn these features off if they're on by default or choose which update I want to install. They're ruining it by trying to satisfy those "other users" with too much mixing. I don't need no stinkin' Taskbar on my Start Screen. There's one on the Desktop app that those "other users" boot to anyway. I don't need no stinkin' Xs to close out an app. There may be a few things worthwhile like the IE11 update, but like you stated, if it doesn't help with performance this update doesn't look like it's worthwhile.

Now I'm off to change my Windows Update settings from automatically download to decide which ones.

2-a-roo

HG

I'm not meaning to stir anything up but? You can still close apps the other way and the bar with the X on it only becomes visible when you mouse to the top of the screen the Metro app is open on. It's the same thing with the added taskbar, its only visible when you mouse to the bottom of the screen the Metro App is open on. Both toolbars auto hide.

 

[BunnyJ]

I was able to locate a link where I downloaded all of the KB files to perform the update. Yesterday I installed them and I not not one issue and as of now everything is working fine.
Windows 8.1 Update 1 Final

 

[Edwin]

Media still stops when apps are minimized! Stupid!
Apps - Edwin000's library

 

[BunnyJ]

I've had that issue before the update. YouTube sucking as usual?? All of my other media players are working just fine. In fact I'm listening to BoBFm and there is not a issue with it.
93.9 BOB FM - 80's...90's...& WHATEVER! :: Homepage

I also just tried out WFCR out of Amherst, MA and it works fine.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I'm meaning to stir anything up but?

What’s that supposed to mean?

You can still close apps the other way and the bar with the X on it only becomes visible when you mouse to the top of the screen the Metro app is open on. It's the same thing with the added taskbar, its only visible when you mouse to the bottom of the screen the Metro App is open on. Both toolbars auto hide.

Simply don’t need this crap getting in the way. If it's default it’s complicating things as I see it. It looks as though MS is again attempting to get those "other users" to use the Start Screen. Well, I think those "other users" are never going to use it anyway. I feel they made their minds up not to. MS appeased them in 8.1 for the option to boot to desktop and rightfully so. They should have that choice. If they decide different, they can default it back.

All in all I have no qualms about added features to personalize an OS as long as we have the choice of which features. I feel there’s not enough in 8/8.1. e.g. An option to tweak tiles with font and/or color. Most of the complaints is about the color. Hell! Let them Aero them for all I care > Round corners and all. Graffiti a Van Gough or Van Gough the graffiti.

 

[Edwin]

The Close/Minimize header on Modern Apps is totally redundant. "Hand Grabbing" the app and flinging it left or to the bottom is just fine for any user, rather than trying to steady up and hover your mouse over the TINY Close or Minimize icons!

 

[HippsieGypsie]

The Close/Minimize header on Modern Apps is totally redundant. "Hand Grabbing" the app and flinging it left or to the bottom is just fine for any user, rather than trying to steady up and hover your mouse over the TINY Close or Minimize icons!

This is what I mean. They are complicating it.

 

[CountMike]

Finished the update, everything went smooth as silk. Now just to notice all those changes.

 

[Edwin]

The first thing I'm working on is to disable the Store from being pinned to the taskbar at every log in.
(or just disable it completely, (again!))

 

[alphanumeric]

I'm meaning to stir anything up but?

What’s that supposed to mean?

You can still close apps the other way and the bar with the X on it only becomes visible when you mouse to the top of the screen the Metro app is open on. It's the same thing with the added taskbar, its only visible when you mouse to the bottom of the screen the Metro App is open on. Both toolbars auto hide.

Simply don’t need this crap getting in the way. If it's default it’s complicating things as I see it. It looks as though MS is again attempting to get those "other users" to use the Start Screen. Well, I think those "other users" are never going to use it anyway. I feel they made their minds up not to. MS appeased them in 8.1 for the option to boot to desktop and rightfully so. They should have that choice. If they decide different, they can default it back.

All in all I have no qualms about added features to personalize an OS as long as we have the choice of which features. I feel there’s not enough in 8/8.1. e.g. An option to tweak tiles with font and/or color. Most of the complaints is about the color. Hell! Let them Aero them for all I care > Round corners and all. Graffiti a Van Gough or Van Gough the graffiti.

Sorry, there was supposed to be a not in there. I just realized it and fixed it.

 

[alphanumeric]

I'm meaning to stir anything up but?

What’s that supposed to mean?

You can still close apps the other way and the bar with the X on it only becomes visible when you mouse to the top of the screen the Metro app is open on. It's the same thing with the added taskbar, its only visible when you mouse to the bottom of the screen the Metro App is open on. Both toolbars auto hide.

Simply don’t need this crap getting in the way. If it's default it’s complicating things as I see it. It looks as though MS is again attempting to get those "other users" to use the Start Screen. Well, I think those "other users" are never going to use it anyway. I feel they made their minds up not to. MS appeased them in 8.1 for the option to boot to desktop and rightfully so. They should have that choice. If they decide different, they can default it back.

All in all I have no qualms about added features to personalize an OS as long as we have the choice of which features. I feel there’s not enough in 8/8.1. e.g. An option to tweak tiles with font and/or color. Most of the complaints is about the color. Hell! Let them Aero them for all I care > Round corners and all. Graffiti a Van Gough or Van Gough the graffiti.

These two issues you describe don't deal with the Start Screen? They have to do with open Metro Apps. I don't see them making anyone more or less inclined to use the Start Screen. An option to turn them off would be nice for those that don't want them. If I had a touch screen the current way would work fine, for non touch the update 1 settings may be better. I want and use the X to close Metro Apps. I find it a lot easier than having to drag the window down with my cursor. You have to mouse to the top anyway. I also wish the added taskbar wouldn't auto hide. I'd rather have it visible all the time. I run three monitors on my desktop and its nice to have the taskbar showing what's running on each monitor.

 

[alphanumeric]

The first thing I'm working on is to disable the Store from being pinned to the taskbar at every log in.
(or just disable it completely, (again!))

I only had to unpin it once and it never came back?

 

[Winuser]

Thanks shakennstirred! I downloaded and installed on my laptop and so far no problems. I do like the few changes I have noticed so far. I may go ahead and install it on my desk top.

 

[davehc]

The first thing I'm working on is to disable the Store from being pinned to the taskbar at every log in.
(or just disable it completely, (again!))

I only had to unpin it once and it never came back?

Yes. Too easy!
I posted previously that I didn't have the taskbar in the modern gui, but possibly because I use modernmix.
I disabled modern mix.

Now. If I click the start button and sweep precisely sideways, I do have a taskbar. But it disappears forever, if I move away. ??

 

[alphanumeric]

Yes. Too easy!
I posted previously that I didn't have the taskbar in the modern gui, but possibly because I use modernmix.
I disabled modern mix.

Now. If I click the start button and sweep precisely sideways, I do have a taskbar. But it disappears forever, if I move away. ??

On my PC if I mouse to the very bottom of a screen with an open Metro App the taskbar pops up. If I mouse away it disappears again. If I click it while its visible it will stay, but if I switch focus to one of my other monitors it hides again.

 

[LittleJay]

I was going to wait for the official release, but curiosity got the better of me and I ran the update. Like previously stated, there aren't a lot of changes, but personally, I like the addition of a power options button and a close apps button on the Start Screen. I was running Classic Shell and booting to the desktop before, but don't really need to anymore.

 

[davehc]

Yes. Too easy!
I posted previously that I didn't have the taskbar in the modern gui, but possibly because I use modernmix.
I disabled modern mix.

Now. If I click the start button and sweep precisely sideways, I do have a taskbar. But it disappears forever, if I move away. ??

On my PC if I mouse to the very bottom of a screen with an open Metro App the taskbar pops up. If I mouse away it disappears again. If I click it while its visible it will stay, but if I switch focus to one of my other monitors it hides again.

Nope. Just tried again. Anyway, I am going back to the pre update 1 now, and wait for an official update. Nothing exciting here.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

What's this that BlueMasterFX posted?

When you are in an app or at the start screen, bring the mouse to the bottom of the screen and it will unhide
the taskbar and you can switch apps, I like it, but have not found out how to make it not autohide
it hides by default
Also, touch the top of of the screen when you are in an app (mouse only), and a drop down will appear with an X Out and Minimize button the right
on the left is an icon with a right click menu for docking half screen etc and close.

I was going to wait for the official release, but curiosity got the better of me and I ran the update. Like previously stated, there aren't a lot of changes, but personally, I like the addition of a power options button and a close apps button on the Start Screen. I was running Classic Shell and booting to the desktop before, but don't really need to anymore.

I'm meaning to stir anything up but?

What’s that supposed to mean?

You can still close apps the other way and the bar with the X on it only becomes visible when you mouse to the top of the screen the Metro app is open on. It's the same thing with the added taskbar, its only visible when you mouse to the bottom of the screen the Metro App is open on. Both toolbars auto hide.

Simply don’t need this crap getting in the way. If it's default it’s complicating things as I see it. It looks as though MS is again attempting to get those "other users" to use the Start Screen. Well, I think those "other users" are never going to use it anyway. I feel they made their minds up not to. MS appeased them in 8.1 for the option to boot to desktop and rightfully so. They should have that choice. If they decide different, they can default it back.

All in all I have no qualms about added features to personalize an OS as long as we have the choice of which features. I feel there’s not enough in 8/8.1. e.g. An option to tweak tiles with font and/or color. Most of the complaints is about the color. Hell! Let them Aero them for all I care > Round corners and all. Graffiti a Van Gough or Van Gough the graffiti.

These two issues you describe don't deal with the Start Screen? They have to do with open Metro Apps. I don't see them making anyone more or less inclined to use the Start Screen. An option to turn them off would be nice for those that don't want them. If I had a touch screen the current way would work fine, for non touch the update 1 settings may be better. I want and use the X to close Metro Apps. I find it a lot easier than having to drag the window down with my cursor. You have to mouse to the top anyway. I also wish the added taskbar wouldn't auto hide. I'd rather have it visible all the time. I run three monitors on my desktop and its nice to have the taskbar showing what's running on each monitor.

Ok, Keith. No harm done. I thought that was a [DEL]tipo[/DEL] typo.

Tepid mentions a Taskbar on the Start Screen and in/when using an app. LJ mentions a power options button and a close apps button there?

I don’t want to install this until I see it. Would someone please post some screenshots?