Latest Windows 8.1 Update 1 Screenshots

CommanderFrank

Cat Can't Scratch It
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We all know by now that the first update for Windows 8.1will be released on March 11th, but what will the update actually bring to the table? Leaks will be happening all along the way and we start the show off with some Start Screen snappies from WZorNet.
 
The Update 1 changes that I've seen mentioned by Paul Thurrott or shown in these leaks thus far:

1) An option to allow modern apps to be shown and pinned to the taskbar with thumbnail previews
2) A close button in modern apps
3) Popup context menus on the Start Screen and all modern apps
4) Search and Power buttons on the Start Screen
5) No windowed modern apps or mini-Start Screen or Start Menu or Metro off switch
 
I wonder why when they were designing 8 they didn't just keep the old win7 desktop with the taskbar and startmenu, but improve it so that desktop icons could span multiple grid squares, be animated, and contain dynamic information like they do on the new start screen.
 
I wonder why when they were designing 8 they didn't just keep the old win7 desktop with the taskbar and startmenu, but improve it so that desktop icons could span multiple grid squares, be animated, and contain dynamic information like they do on the new start screen.
Because they were trying to leverage their monopoly on computers to get people used to doing things the same across all Microsoft's other devices, from the Xbox One, to Microsoft tablets, to MS phones.

A windows 7 desktop is not useful on the tiny screens of phones. Of course, as we know, its awesome for the desktop keyboard and mouse combo on a nice healthy 30" screen though. Again, thing is they were trying to consolidate and leverage computers to get everyone used to doing everything the Microsoft way so they'd be inclined to buy their other products rather than learn google OS for their phone, Apple OS for their tablet, MS OS for their desktop, and Playstation OS for their console.
 
Because they were trying to leverage their monopoly on computers to get people used to doing things the same across all Microsoft's other devices, from the Xbox One, to Microsoft tablets, to MS phones.

A windows 7 desktop is not useful on the tiny screens of phones. Of course, as we know, its awesome for the desktop keyboard and mouse combo on a nice healthy 30" screen though. Again, thing is they were trying to consolidate and leverage computers to get everyone used to doing everything the Microsoft way so they'd be inclined to buy their other products rather than learn google OS for their phone, Apple OS for their tablet, MS OS for their desktop, and Playstation OS for their console.

Yeah it's a pretty obvious (and good IMO) strategy they did. The fatal flaw was forcing desktop users to it rather than giving them the option to choose or make a better hybrid system (like the taskbar icon idea).
 
Because they were trying to leverage their monopoly on computers to get people used to doing things the same across all Microsoft's other devices, from the Xbox One, to Microsoft tablets, to MS phones.

I agree with this but there a lot more to this leverage than merely this. Regardless of the UI in Windows, new conventional PCs have pretty much reach their limit. Even after projections of conventional PC sales show stabilization, there's going to be no growth. Getting Windows to work well on tablets extends the usefulness and reach of the OS and allows it to be used in market with tons of growth in store. Just getting 10 to 20 percent of that market for Windows will be a big deal as the size of the new tablet market surpasses that of new conventional PCs.

If you look at the reception of Windows RT versus full x86 Windows, having the full desktop in addition to the modern stuff seems to actually be a big draw. OEMs have abandoned Windows RT and they are all doing Atom devices. And these cheap Atom devices seem to be selling very well. Full Windows now runs on something in the size and weight range of the iPad Mini for even less than the cost of the Mini. Hook up an Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and external monitor and you have a not only a small cheap tablet but a fully functional desktop for the cost of an mobile OS tablet. That makes a compelling economic argument for a lot of people.
 
I agree with this but there a lot more to this leverage than merely this. Regardless of the UI in Windows, new conventional PCs have pretty much reach their limit. Even after projections of conventional PC sales show stabilization, there's going to be no growth. Getting Windows to work well on tablets extends the usefulness and reach of the OS and allows it to be used in market with tons of growth in store. Just getting 10 to 20 percent of that market for Windows will be a big deal as the size of the new tablet market surpasses that of new conventional PCs.

If you look at the reception of Windows RT versus full x86 Windows, having the full desktop in addition to the modern stuff seems to actually be a big draw. OEMs have abandoned Windows RT and they are all doing Atom devices. And these cheap Atom devices seem to be selling very well. Full Windows now runs on something in the size and weight range of the iPad Mini for even less than the cost of the Mini. Hook up an Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and external monitor and you have a not only a small cheap tablet but a fully functional desktop for the cost of an mobile OS tablet. That makes a compelling economic argument for a lot of people.

Windows RT is a clusterfuck and a symptom of exactly why Microsoft is becoming irrelevant :

1.It is Windows except that it can't actually run Windows programs. The average user has no way of knowing this.

2.It comes with Office except that it can't be used in an actual Office because of Microsoft's greed and ridiculous licensing terms.
 
Windows RT is a clusterfuck and a symptom of exactly why Microsoft is becoming irrelevant :

1.It is Windows except that it can't actually run Windows programs. The average user has no way of knowing this.

Ok, Windows RT is a clusterfuck, that's why my Windows tablets are x86. It's not like Windows RT was EVER going to come close to supporting as much desktop software as x86. Why would developers bother when there are Windows x86 devices for that purpose anyway that are cheaper than a Surface 2 now? I've never been an advocate of Windows RT the OS but it is reasonable for Microsoft to have Windows running on ARM.

2.It comes with Office except that it can't be used in an actual Office because of Microsoft's greed and ridiculous licensing terms.

Most business probably already have licenses to cover the Student & Home upgrade. Sure there's greed to it. You could go buy a sub $300 Windows tablet and those come with the same Office version and it would be kind of bizarre to sell that kind of device with a high end Office license and Windows for less than $300. At some point not being greedy would turn into losing money.
 
The longer MS persists in this METRO-ized one-size-fits-all OS approach, the more fun it will become to watch MS circle the drain.
 
The longer MS persists in this METRO-ized one-size-fits-all OS approach, the more fun it will become to watch MS circle the drain.

Even the many of the most staunch opponents of 8 have said if there were only a Metro off switch, 8 would be great in their opinion. Ok, so why would it be so impossible to simply make the new stuff integrate better into the desktop? With the changes in this update and the addition of the rumored changes of a mini-Start and windowed modern apps, what major issues would be left for desktop users? Of course the devil will be in the details but these changes seem to address just about every major issue.
 
FFS I am not using my PC for anything other than office, Autocad, 3D Graphics, Desktop Publishing and other productivity applications. I need 2-4 sessions of Windows Explorer open side by side on a 30" monitor, and the same for Excel and other programs.

For gaming, home cinema and entertainment in general I use another dedicated PC that I don't mind a different interface.

But for the love of GOD when I need to work why the hell would I want to put up with shit like METRO is beyond my reasoning, my imagination and any common sense left in me.

I wonder if they use metro when working and coding in MS or if they force them to do so.
 
Not sure why some of these features took so long to implement. Should have had this functionality from day one.
 
One thing obvious still missing is the TIME on the start screen. There are apps that fulfill this, but they are awful and unreliable.
 
One thing obvious still missing is the TIME on the start screen. There are apps that fulfill this, but they are awful and unreliable.

I use Clock Tile which works very well. Live tiles are designed to work best with push notification over the web, hopefully there local abilities improve with the coming update and Windows 9.
 
Windows RT is a clusterfuck and a symptom of exactly why Microsoft is becoming irrelevant :

1.It is Windows except that it can't actually run Windows programs. The average user has no way of knowing this.

2.It comes with Office except that it can't be used in an actual Office because of Microsoft's greed and ridiculous licensing terms.
Microsoft is nowhere near becoming irrelevant. Do you work in an IT department of a company that is worldwide?

Nothing even comes close to the competency and robust functionality of Active Directory and some other Microsoft products. They have very good products.

Linux is also handy for certain other things, but certainly not desktops. :\
 
I don't feel good about these changes. The Metro UI is so distanced from the traditional Desktop that having context menus on it seems completely awkward.

Also, when will the detractors realize that the problem isn't Windows 8, it's them? How braindead do you have to be to call an OS a disaster because of a screen you don't even have to fucking look at or use?
 
Also, when will the detractors realize that the problem isn't Windows 8, it's them? How braindead do you have to be to call an OS a disaster because of a screen you don't even have to fucking look at or use?

^this. I've been using 8.1 since it was available, and the only time I even see the metro screen is when I want to launch the Netflix app. The fact that you can right click the windows button and have all the power options and most of the admin utilities right in front of you is nice too. I'm willing to bet that half the people that are so vehemently opposed to Win 8 have never even tried it out, or haven't tried it since 8.1.
 
Also, when will the detractors realize that the problem isn't Windows 8, it's them?

Businesses don't really have the luxury of saying "Our product is perfect, it's the users that are at fault.". They may be right, but it's not going to help them maximize sales :p
 
I don't feel good about these changes. The Metro UI is so distanced from the traditional Desktop that having context menus on it seems completely awkward.

This makes perfect sense in the context of mouse travel. All this is doing is presenting options that are at the bottom of the screen closer to the mouse when using the mouse. When using touch the options would still be at the bottom of the screen.

Also, when will the detractors realize that the problem isn't Windows 8, it's them? How braindead do you have to be to call an OS a disaster because of a screen you don't even have to fucking look at or use?

The issues with 8 are getting way overhyped particularly when using desktop applications. as that's not changed.
 
Businesses don't really have the luxury of saying "Our product is perfect, it's the users that are at fault.". They may be right, but it's not going to help them maximize sales :p

I've never thought that 8 was perfect on a desktop, but hybrid approach isn't impossible and has practical benefit. The trick is to make things familiar to the desktop and integrate this new UI better into the desktop and all of these changes are headed in that direction. There's no reason that the one size fits all OS can't work as long as that OS considers how it is being used and that applications that work well with either conventional input or touch or both can be setup in a straightforward manner.
 
the hiding of the power button was just plain stupid
 
Once I realized I could make the OS boot straight to the desktop I went from hate to love. I like the start screen. I just don't like to *have* to use it as the main page. The start screen is great on my HTPC though, being able to sit back on the couch and use the start screen is much better on my eyes than the desktop.
 
I don't feel good about these changes. The Metro UI is so distanced from the traditional Desktop that having context menus on it seems completely awkward.

That's funny since having Metro UI on a traditional Desktop is completely awkward.
 
That's funny since having Metro UI on a traditional Desktop is completely awkward.

Only if you don't know how to use it. 8.1 bought some pretty nice changes that make modern apps pretty keyboard and mouse friendly, most people don't know about that though because they don't use modern apps on the desktop and unfortunately Microsoft didn't really spell it out like they needed.
 
At first I hated Metro, then I remembered how much I like using a dock and having a clean desktop. So after a little setup, that's exactly what I have now. Instead of having a pull down dock, I just hit the button, works out the same.
 
the hiding of the power button was just plain stupid

Once you learn that it is in the same place as it has always been, but with a Right Click (which, btw, is how you almost always shows options or menu in Windows), is it really that hard?

Your options should have been made clearer, no doubt about that, but it isn't really that different from previous versions.
 
windows 8.1 is quiet nice, i'm warming to it although I don't use any metro apps. have installed classic shell and am happy to use 8.1 for its other less obvious improvements.
 
I like 8.1. I hate the integration of IE11. I suppose they did nothing to fix compatibility or add the flexibility of IE10.
 
Would like to see Windows 8.2 to have the option of removing metro completely.
 
the hiding of the power button was just plain stupid

Once you learn that it is in the same place as it has always been, but with a Right Click (which, btw, is how you almost always shows options or menu in Windows), is it really that hard?

Your options should have been made clearer, no doubt about that, but it isn't really that different from previous versions.

Lets be honest though. How many people actually shut down a computer with that option?

Normally on here you hear people bitching that they have to restart their computer once a month for updates. so we know they aren't shutting down.

Most people with a laptop most likely just close the screen and let it go to sleep or hibernate.

you then have the people that just use the physical button on the device.
 
Would like to see Windows 8.2 to have the option of removing metro completely.

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