Microsoft Officially Addresses Windows 8.1 "Update 2" Rumors.

bigdogchris

bigdogchris

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In April, we released a bigger, more comprehensive package of improvements to Windows 8.1 called the Windows 8.1 Update. We did the same for Server too, with Windows Server 2012 R2 Update. As we said at the time, our goal is to continue to deliver improvements to Windows through regular updates in order to respond more quickly to customer and partner feedback. After all, we already have a regular monthly update process that includes security and non-security updates.

With the above in mind, rather than waiting for months and bundling together a bunch of improvements into a larger update as we did for the Windows 8.1 Update, customers can expect that we’ll use our already existing monthly update process to deliver more frequent improvements along with the security updates normally provided as part of “Update Tuesday.” So despite rumors and speculation, we are not planning to deliver a Windows 8.1 “Update 2.”

We’ll continue to use our normal channels such as Windows Update (WU), Microsoft Update (MU), and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to deliver updates to Windows. These updates will include security updates to help keep you protected, as well as non-security updates that can bring a range of improvements to your PC or tablet running Windows. Examples of some of these non-security updates are the Windows Store Refresh in May and the June update to OneDrive to improve your control of sync. Some of these improvements might be more visible or even new features, while others might be more “behind-the-scenes” that improve things like the performance and reliability of your device. With these monthly updates, we continue to refine and improve Windows 8.1 in a more nimble way, creating a richer experience for all Windows customers.

Following are some of the new features and improvements included in the August 12th Update Tuesday:

Precision touchpad improvements – three new end-user settings have been added: Leave touch pad on when a mouse is connected; allow right-clicks on the touchpad; double-tap and drag.
Miracast Receive – exposes a set of Wi-Fi direct APIs for Independent Hardware Vendor (IHV) drivers or OEM drivers to develop Windows 32-bit applications that run on all supported x86-based or x64-based versions of Windows 8.1, enabling the computer as a Miracast receiver.
Minimizing login prompts for SharePoint Online – reduces the number of prompts with federated use in accessing SharePoint Online sites. If you select the “Keep me signed in” check box when you log on for the first time, you will not see prompts for successive access to that SharePoint Online site.

This update will be delivered automatically via WU and optional through WSUS. Enterprises can take the update anytime. Further details on the update will be included here on August 12th.

For current Windows 8.1 consumers who have elected automatic updates, the rollout will be gradual to ensure all customers receive the update in a timely manner. Those who wish to install the update ahead of automatic updates may do so beginning August 12th manually via Windows Update.

As you might expect, we’re taking the same approach to deliver improvements to Windows Server 2012 R2 as well – go here for additional information.
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SOURCE
 
That's because they are saving those large updates for the upcoming Windows 9 and bailing on Windows 8.1. Just release tiny nibbles, and any major changes go into the new version rather than putting bandaids on the 8.1 Update. :)

(that's not true, or at least I don't think it is. I just made it up...).
 
What I don't understand is, what took them so long? The Internet has been ablazed by "Update 2" rumors for months and Microsoft simply ignores it, hoping it will just go away? Rumor can quickly become truth on the Internet and even if your policy is to not "comment on rumors and speculation" there are times to comment when reputation management is more important than arbitrary policies.
 
Because when you make an official statement, you're committing yourself to that statement. They will not make an official statement until management is 100% sure that is what they will do.
 
Tsumi said:
Because when you make an official statement, you're committing yourself to that statement. They will not make an official statement until management is 100% sure that is what they will do.
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Exactly. Microsoft management is highly fractured and they just don't know what to do.

The constant 180's they've been making with their desktop OS should be proof of that.
 
What are you guys complaining about? Why should Microsoft address rumors started by random blogs? They announced in detail what they are planning to release, and announced plans for the future.

Any speculation about whether stuff is being left out purposely for Windows 9 is nonsense.

Why is MS held to a double standard? Apple ignores rumors, they don't 'take a life of their own and become truth', that is laughable nonsense. If event 1/100th of the rumors posted about iPhone, Macs, Android etc had been true, they'd be 100 times better than they are.
 
As we said at the time, our goal is to continue to deliver improvements to Windows through regular updates in order to respond more quickly to customer and partner feedback.
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Well, I guess ignoring feedback is a form of response.

The ineptitude of the Windows division, the infighting, and statements from the new CEO all have me nervous about Microsoft. They can't seem to decide if they want to be Microsoft or some kind of IBM, and lately they haven't shown the ability to succeed with either model. Their devices don't sell, their services are generally second to the competition and losing money, and they're still heavily dependent on Windows and Office while simultaneously doing everything they can to piss off their power users.
 
MrCrispy said:
What are you guys complaining about? Why should Microsoft address rumors started by random blogs? They announced in detail what they are planning to release, and announced plans for the future.

Any speculation about whether stuff is being left out purposely for Windows 9 is nonsense.

Why is MS held to a double standard? Apple ignores rumors, they don't 'take a life of their own and become truth', that is laughable nonsense. If event 1/100th of the rumors posted about iPhone, Macs, Android etc had been true, they'd be 100 times better than they are.
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Because haters are going to hate. You have armchair fortune 500 CEOs who think they know everything trying to give their input on how things should be done. Just more chaff from the Internet cesspool.
 
DeathFromBelow said:
Well, I guess ignoring feedback is a form of response.

The ineptitude of the Windows division, the infighting, and statements from the new CEO all have me nervous about Microsoft. They can't seem to decide if they want to be Microsoft or some kind of IBM, and lately they haven't shown the ability to succeed with either model. Their devices don't sell, their services are generally second to the competition and losing money, and they're still heavily dependent on Windows and Office while simultaneously doing everything they can to piss off their power users.
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Microsoft has its problems and challenges but has long been the case with Microsoft, some perceptions of it never fit the business reality. Microsoft's cloud services are going gang busters. Sure Bing has been very expensive to get up and running but is on track to become profitable in the next year and gives Microsoft a foundation to build other services and capabilities in its products. Device hardware is certainly a huge challenge and unknown and Microsoft probably won't ever be huge in this area, but it doesn't have to be if it can work with OEMs.

As far Windows and Office they are still the bread and butter but even while Windows 8 hasn't done well overall, Windows licensing has managed to weather the new PC decline very well, and there was a slight increase in Windows OEM last quarter. The rumors coming out about Windows 9 look promising, a UI that should have none of the issues that Windows 8 had with desktop users and the possibility of free upgrades for at least some Windows users. And while Office has faced a lot of negative cyberspace reaction over the ribbon UI, Office is doing better than ever. Office 365 is proving to be very popular, new clients and better cloud capabilities.

Thus far Wall Street seems pleased with Microsoft stock at near 15 year highs. Microsoft certainly needs to execute much better and its messaging does need work. I don't think responding to every Windows rumor is the way to go about that, but it would be good if Microsoft could have a little more concreteness in its product road maps.
 
Hmm, if M$ is responding to this rumor, it makes me think they probably planted it in the first place to gauge public interest through various bloggers they keep close at hand. Pretty standard marketing practice.

That said, this response deos look like they are paving the way to Windows 9 update and cash in.
 
Ur_Mom said:
That's because they are saving those large updates for the upcoming Windows 9 and bailing on Windows 8.1. Just release tiny nibbles, and any major changes go into the new version rather than putting bandaids on the 8.1 Update. :)

(that's not true, or at least I don't think it is. I just made it up...).
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I've read a couple articles where that is exactly the case.
Screw bringing a real start menu to Win8, leave it for Win9.

Better chance of people upgrading from 7 to 9, same way Vista was skipped by a (realtively) lot of users.

You can't polish a turd (ok not true, Mythbusters proved you can). While Win8 may not really be a turd, that's how it gets spoken about a lot.

So just fix all the public-outcry issues in the next version.
Try to let people forget 8
 
People are idiots. 8 may not be the perfect OS, but its a hell of a lot better than OSX and a lot more advanced. Yet all you hear about is the incessant whining about old start menu as if making that one small change is all anyone wants.
 
AndreRio said:
they should make win9 free for windows 8 users!! :(
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Win 8 was priced at like $15 for recent Win7 users for months when released. Maybe there will be a similar for recent Win8 customers near Win9 release.

New versions of OSX are dirt cheap when released, but if you feel that Windows is a better product, then expect to pay more. If you feel Windows 8 is so horrible, go back to 7 or pick something else, but don't expect handouts from a company in the business of making money.
 
This update includes the following new features and improvements in Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2.
Settings changes for Update and Recovery
This feature introduces new information in the Windows Update Settings, and gives you more information on how up to date your systems are by displaying the most recent check for updates and the last date updates were installed.
Precision touchpad improvements
This feature adds the following three end-user settings to control the behavior of precision touchpad devices:

Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected
Allow right-clicks on the touchpad
Double-tap and drag

You can find these settings under the Mouse and touchpad menu in PC Settings.
Ruble symbol update
This feature adds new Ruble currency support for input and rendering.
Out-of-date ActiveX control blocking
With the out-of-date ActiveX control blocking, Internet Explorer tells you when it finds and blocks parts of webpages that are loading common controls, but that are also loading out-of-date ActiveX controls. This enables you to browse safely as you interact with all aspects of the webpage aside from the out-of-date control. Furthermore, you are directed to update the control so you can safely interact with its most recent version.
Wi-Fi Direct APIs for Discoverability
Wi-Fi Direct APIs for Discoverability are a new set of APIs for Independent Hardware Vendors (IHV) or computer OEMs to develop Windows-based applications on all supported x86-based and x64-based versions of Windows 8.1. This enables IHVs and OEMs to build a Miracast receiver on Windows. These Windows 32-bit APIs make the computer discoverable and accept incoming Miracast connections.
Video capture metadata for MP4
This feature adds capability for developers to read and write the "Date taken" and GPS data on MP4 files by using Windows Runtime and Win32 APIs.
Minimizing Logon Prompts for Microsoft SharePoint Online
This feature reduces the number of prompts with federated use in accessing SharePoint Online sites. If you select the "Keep me signed in" check box when you log on for the first time, you will not see prompts for successive access attempts to that SharePoint Online site.
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Change Notes

Talk about feature striped from original information.
 
heatlesssun said:
From what original information? There was nothing officially said about this release until last week as far as I know.
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You should see what Paul Thurrott is saying about Microsoft after they pulled a 180 on update 2.

The leaked info was good. Microsoft striped features and saved them for Windows 9.
 
bigdogchris said:
You should see what Paul Thurrott is saying about Microsoft after they pulled a 180 on update 2.

The leaked info was good. Microsoft striped features and saved them for Windows 9.
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If they never announced feature updates for 8, I don't see how you can call it "stripping features." Leaked info is not necessarily correct info.
 
bigdogchris said:
You should see what Paul Thurrott is saying about Microsoft after they pulled a 180 on update 2.

The leaked info was good. Microsoft striped features and saved them for Windows 9.
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I saw some of a Thurrott podcast and heard what he said about this issue. I'm not saying that Microsoft didn't change its tactics nor that prior rumors weren't accurate, just that they were rumors with no officially announced plan. There's any number of things that could happen. There may be future UI changes to 8.1 that brings features mentioned in the prior rumors. Or from another rumor that's been floating around, Windows 9 could be free update for 8.1 users, perhaps even free beyond 8.1 users. With 9 pretty much a sure thing to come out in the next year, Microsoft may have concluded that it was a better use of resources to concentrate on 9 instead of making such major changes to an OS with a tarnished reputation what was about to be replaced anyway.

There's a lot of ways this could play out and we just don't know at this point. Indeed if Microsoft is going to do free updates, it would make sense to not waste the time on 8.
 
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