Windows 8.1 (codename: Blue) set to bring back the Start button

For those of us who have grown up using Microsoft’s Windows operating system the start button that was always located on the bottom left side of the screen has had a significant value and we were so accustomed of using it that when Microsoft removed it in Windows 8 the biggest criticisms it received from its long time users was absence of it. It looks like Microsoft took the complains seriously as TheVerge now reports that the Redmond-based software giant is planning on bringing it back in the upcoming Windows 8.1 update.

Although the button is returning to the Windows it will not function as it did in the previous versions in which it used to open a drop up menu known as the Start Menu. Instead the start button in Windows 8.1 will simple launch the start screen of Windows 8 where users can access their apps through tiles.

The button Microsoft is adding in Windows 8.1 is similar to the one which is found on the Charm Bar right now (the bar that appears when you point the cursor to the top-right corner of your screen). Windows 8.1 is considered to be a major update for Windows 8 as Microsoft is also expected to introduce more changes to the popular OS. It is also expected that Microsoft will finally allow users to boot directly to the desktop instead of the start screen. This feature will be available as an option in the Control Panel. Although Microsoft has plans of adding this feature they are still not ready to ship it with Windows 8.1 and will reportedly add it in the updates scheduled for further dates.

It is important to note here that Pokki, which was a replacement for the Start Menu for Windows 8 users was downloaded 1.5 million times. There are many other similar softwares as well that also received overwhelming number of downloads. This obviously indicates that Microsoft is listening to the market and changing the things users are not finding themselves comfortable with from Windows 8 – which is a welcoming step from the software giant.

source: The Verge

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Windows Blue Updates Will Transform Windows 8 into Windows 8.1

While Microsoft Corp. has officially confirmed that it plans to update a bunch of its services and programs with a set of new features and capabilities collectively known as “Blue”, the company has never revealed anything beyond that. Meanwhile, unofficial sources have discovered that Blue updates will not turn Windows 8 into Windows 9, but the version will be officially called 8.1.

Windows 8.1 is rumored to be just around the bend, with a code-name of "Blue."

A screenshot allegedly made on a system running Windows operating system version 6.3 build 9375 (newer than the one that recently leaked onto the Internet) clearly points to Windows 8 top-level branding and Windows 8.1-branded refresh. According to renowned Microsoft experts Mary Jo Foley and Paul Thurrot, the Windows 8 with Blue updates are indeed called Windows 8.1. Given that Windows 8 is a product that Microsoft will sell for years to come, the company will continue to advertise Windows 8 brand, even though the OS itself will get better over time, just like it always did.

Microsoft is now expected to release Windows 8.1 to manufacturing sometimes in August, 2013, which will give PC makers plenty of time to prep their all-new PCs for the holiday season, reports ZDnet. Moreover, given the fact that Intel Corp. wants to limit initial availability of its fourth-gen Core i-series “Haswell” chips this summer due to an USB 3.0 erratum, launching the refreshed OS this Fall seems to be a nice coincident for both companies.

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While the full picture of Blue updates remains generally unclear, the enhancements of Windows 8.1 over Windows 8 have already been published:

some of the Enhancements features as follows:

New split-screen App options.

Improved modern UI PC settings.

New tile sizes.

New search interface.

Enhanced SkyDrive.

Internet Explorer 11.

Swipe up from Start Screen to access list of apps.

More personalization options.

Picture frame mode.

New gestures.

New App: Calculator.

New App: Alarm.

New App: Sound Recorder.

New App: Movie Moments(video editing application).

Microsoft did not comment on the news-story.

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