Windows 8.1 is available as a free download today, bringing new features for both the tiled Modern UI and the traditional desktop. Here's everything you'll find in the newest version of Windows.
Modern UI FeaturesWe've seen most of these features in Microsoft's "first look" video (embedded above), but today you can try out all the 8.1 features yourself. Just head to the Windows Store from the Start screen and you should get the opportunity to update—though if you don't see it right away, check back frequently. It's likely they'll be rolling it out to everyone over the course of a few hours.
Most of the new features are specific to Windows' tiled "Modern" interface, but there are one or two updates for desktop users as well—specifically ones that deal with the feedback Windows 8 has gotten.
Better Organization and Customization on the Start ScreenThe Start screen has a few improvements. You get two new tile sizes: one small square one and one large one, so you can configure the Start screen a bit more like Windows Phone 8. You can also select multiple tiles and put them into a named group, and swipe up gesture for the "All Apps" view. The All Apps view has a few new organization methods, too—you can view them by category, most used, and date installed, not just alphabetical.
The new Start screen has more colors to choose from, and you can even put your desktop wallpaper behind the Start screen as well. You can also turn the lock screen into a photo slideshow, sourced from your PC or SkyDrive. While you're on the lock screen, you can launch the camera or answer Skype calls without logging in
More Powerful MultitaskingOne of Windows 8's coolest features is the side-by-side window snapping, and Microsoft has made a big improvement to this feature: now you can resize those snapped windows however you want. Before, you could only have Windows split 50/50, or into thirds. Now, you can actually drag the slider to make each app take up as much or as little space as you want.
Furthermore, you can have more than two apps or windows on-screen at once—in fact, you can have up to four, as long as your monitor is big enough (Engadget reports that the Surface Pro is still limited to two). You can also move them between monitors, if you have more than one
Improvements to the Windows Store and Built-In AppsWindows 8.1 also comes with some handy improvements to the Windows Store and its built-in apps. The whole store has been given a facelift, and it will now automatically update your apps unless you're on a metered connection. Internet Explorer 11 now has unlimited tabs, the camera has a panorama feature, and the new Mail app will have a "sweep" feature that deletes multiple emails of the same type (e.g. newsletters). All apps are supposed to be faster, and push notifications are easier for developers to implement, so hopefully more apps will support them
Microsoft has also made a big update to search in 8.1 If you open the search charm, you'll see that all your search results are grouped into one place: no more switching between files, settings, apps, and the web. If you press enter, you'll be taken to a full-screen view of your search results. If Bing understands the person, place, or thing you've searched for, it'll load a full-screen app-like view called "Search Heroes," with intelligent results similar to Google's Knowledge Graph, that offers photos, videos, and relevant facts all in one unified interface.
Desktop FeaturesThe Modern UI may have gotten the most attention this time around, but there are still a few handy new features for desktop users—particularly when it comes to integrating with the Start screen
Boot to Desktop and the Return of the Start ButtonLet's start with the two features desktop enthusiasts have been asking for: boot to desktop and a Start button.
Boot to desktop does exactly what it sounds like: You can tell Windows 8 to boot straight to the desktop instead of going to the Start screen first. To access it, just right-click on the taskbar and head to Properties > Navigation > When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start. This will also bring you back to the desktop whenever you close a Modern app, which is handy if you use one every once in a while.
The Start button won't show you the Start menu from Windows 7; it just brings up the Start screen. It's minor, but nice if you're used to clicking that button in the bottom left-hand corner. Plus, with the new All Apps view, it makes the Start menu more usable on the desktop (see below). As for us, we'll just stick with true Start menu apps likeStart8
Show the Apps View on the Start ScreenTechnically, this is a Modern feature, but it exists to make desktop users' lives easier. Right-click on the taskbar and head to Properties > Navigation. From here, you have a few options:
• Show the Apps View automatically when I go to start: This will show you a more navigable list of apps when you head to the Start screen.P
• Search everywhere instead of just my apps: This mimics the old search behavior in the Start menu. With this selected, you can just press the Windows key and search for any app, file, or other location on your system without having to click categories like in Windows 8.0.P
• List desktop apps first in the Apps view: This ensures your desktop apps don't get pushed down when you head to the Start screen, which is handy if you use the mouse to launch them
An Improved Win+X MenuThe Win+X Menu has also gotten a few little updates that make it more useful. Most notably, Microsoft has added the ability to shut down from the Win+X menu. Just press Win+X or right-click on the Start button and choose Shut Down from the menu. This is much faster than Windows 8's previous method of shutting down, which required you to open the charms menu. They've also replaced the Command Prompt options with PowerShell, if that's your thing—though you can bring back the Command Prompt option if you want.
Reference:
http://lifehacker.com/all-the-new-stuff-in-windows-8-1-587098156Related Links:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dn140266.aspx
