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Welcome to Ask PFE Plat's coverage of the next chapter in Microsoft's on-going refinement of Windows. As with 8.1, we continue to evolve and improve the OS and last week, at the Build 2014 conference, we released "Windows 8.1 Update" to MSDN. On Tuesday, April 8th, the Update will be released to the Windows Update Catalog, Windows Update and WSUS channels.
Our prior post on the "dot 1" update to Windows 8 RTM from October of last year sparked great conversation – in fact, it was our most-commented post; we (PFEs and Microsoft as a whole) appreciate the feedback and discussion. Several of us have been chomping at the bit to bring you details of the changes coming with this Update. This is a "roundtable post" with discussion from myself (Michael Hildebrand), Jeff "The Dude" Stokes, Kyle Blagg, Mark Morowczynski and who can talk about Windows 8 without talking to Joao Botto?
Let's roll…
The Update, as we'll call it here, is actually a series of packages that install collectively and provide UI and functionality improvements (many geared towards keyboard/mouse users), a big IE feature-add as well as some heavy-lifting internal changes to Windows boot structures and memory/resource awareness and management. For additional information, check out the following:
- http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2014/04/02/windows-8-1-update-important-refinements-to-the-windows-experience.aspx
- http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/archive/2013/10/18/windows-8-1-update-the-it-pro-perspective.aspx
This post will focus mostly on the UI changes – there may be future AskPFE Platforms posts that dive into some of the other aspects of the Update.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's cover a few heads-up/FAQ comments:
-
It will likely change your system's current behavior:
-
For starters, unless the device is a tablet, a system with this update will boot to the desktop by default
- You can still choose one way or another but I was surprised when I rebooted and was taken to my desktop instead of my Start screen
- See the chart further down in the post for a clear list of what default settings are changed and how
-
- It does NOT include the Start menu that you may have seen/heard about at the recent Build conference. That is some exciting near-future stuff, which demonstrates our on-going commitment to deliver on customer feedback (such as your comments on this very blog)
- It is defined as an "Important – Security update" in our Windows Updates framework
- It is a cumulative update to Windows 8.1 that includes all previously released security and non-security updates
-
It is a required update to keep your Windows 8.1 device current
-
- See this blog for more details –http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/archive/2013/10/18/windows-8-1-update-the-it-pro-perspective.aspx
-
Windows 8.1 is a prerequisite (vs Windows 8 RTM)
- Windows 8.1 media/WIMs/TechNet ISOs/Store bits/etc will be slipstreamed with this Update in the near term
- KB2919442 is a pre-requisite update – released in March 2014 – you'll need this before 2919355 will be recognized
-
Additional info can be found in the KB – which obviously, you should read
-
The Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) has been updated to accommodate the changes to Windows with this Update
To get the Update, make sure you are running Windows 8.1 and then hit Windows Update or the Windows Download Center.
Let's start with Start
Now that you have everything installed and your reboots are done, sign in and make your way to the Start screen. You'll notice a few things that folks have asked for:
-
Power
-
Many of you have adapted with a variety of ways to turn off or reboot your PC, but now, there is a simple power UI on Start. Handy-dandy!
- A quick note on 'Sleep' – Have you tried the 'Sleep' functionality recently? On prior generation devices, I never had much luck with Sleep. It seemed like it took longer to go to sleep than to shut my old laptop down, and resuming seemed to take longer than a full boot up. However, with the newer devices, SSDs and Windows 8, I find sleep a much-improved experience and very close to an 'instant on' solution that I prefer most of the time to a typical shutdown.
- However, on some devices you may not see the Power button. On devices that are not tablets like laptops, desktop PCs and All-in-Ones, the Power button should appear on the Start screen after installing the update. On most tablets you will not see the Power button on the Start screen as they have connected standby and a physical power button that lets you quickly shut down or put the device to sleep. However, on tablets larger than 8.5-inches without connected standby, you will see the Power button on the Start screen.
- For more information please see- http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2014/04/10/some-tips-and-tricks-for-using-the-windows-8-1-update.aspx
-
-
Search
- Again, many of you have likely learned to "just type" on the Start screen for searching but we've added a clickable Search icon that will 'fly-out' the Search box – this helps visual people like me. I often wondered where my typing was going in the early days of Win8.
-
If you're using a mouse, you can now right-click Tiles and get a familiar "context" style menu to manipulate them.
Some of the early Windows 8 feedback was that folks didn't like booting to the Start screen. With Windows 8.1, you could choose – boot to Desktop or boot to Start.
That flexibility remains unchanged in this Update but going forward, there are new defaults – as mentioned before, Windows 8.1 Update now boots to the desktop as the default unless the device is a tablet form factor.
There is a new group of Tiles that are added to a new user's Start screen for some of the more commonly-used settings/locations:
- This PC (a.k.a. "My Computer")
- PC Settings
- Documents
- Pictures
NOTE:
- You will *NOT* see these added to your established Start screen – only new profiles get these
- Windows RT users only get the "PC Settings" Tile
The Apps View
Let's review some of the changes that you'll find in relation to the Apps view.
First off, when you install a new application(s), now there is an indicator and count at the bottom of the Start screen.
Click the arrow or swipe-up into the Apps view. Those new Apps are highlighted and have a bright blue NEW next to the title (this will go away once you click/open the new App).
The columns have been made wider and spacing increased to account for applications with longer names.
You can sort your Apps your way and now, clicking on the headings will zoom-out so you can jump through your installed applications quicker.
You can subtly shrink the icons in the Apps view to fit even more Apps into the screen, if you so desire:
- From within the Apps view, bring up Settings > Tiles
- Slide the "Show more apps in the Apps view" slider to Yes
This can be VERY helpful if you have a lot of Apps installed:
Desktop Changes and Integration with Modern Apps
Now that we've covered the Start screen and App view changes, let's flip to the Desktop and talk about some of the big changes there.
One recurring request for Windows 8 has been to facilitate a better "connection" between the Modern UI and Windows Store Apps with the traditional Desktop. In 8.1, the ability to show your Desktop background on the Start screen helped. This Update furthers the integration between the Desktop and Modern UI/Apps.
For starters, you likely already noticed the bright green icon in your Taskbar for the Store after installing the Update….
Yes, friends, you can now pin Store Apps to your Taskbar.
But wait – there's more! Not only can you pin Store Apps to the Taskbar; now, running Store Apps can show up on your Taskbar, just like a traditional Desktop App would.
You can see the App's thumbnail and operate any controls, such as skipping/pausing songs in the updated Xbox Music App, and close the App, too.
Cool?
If you'd rather not have Modern Apps taking up that precious real estate on your Taskbar, once again, we provide you the choice of configuration.
- Right click the Taskbar and select Properties – you'll see the following new option (highlighted below) which you are free to select/deselect:
After the Update Before the Update (for comparison)
Another option to consider – drag your Taskbar up and make it 2x tall – you'll have more space for a bevy of Apps – Modern and/or traditional
Modern Apps get "minimize" and "close" buttons as part of this Update. I am still a frequent keyboard/mouse user and these two controls make multi-tasking among my open apps more intuitive with how I'm used to working.
In order to see these, hover the mouse pointer at the top of the App.
Also, there is a right-click context menu for splitting the running App across the right or left half of your Desktop (along the lines of the "snap" feature)
DUDE!? – where's my MINIMIZE?!
Depending on your settings, you may not see the "Minimize" option for Modern Apps.
Above, I showed how to configure Taskbar settings so Modern Apps are displayed on the Taskbar:
That checkbox also determines if you'll see the Minimize "bar" (checked) or not (unchecked) for a Modern App.
NOTE:
- You'll get the close "X" button either way
- You can pin Modern Apps to the Taskbar regardless, too
One more aspect of the tighter integration between the traditional Desktop and the Modern UI/Apps – the Taskbar can be brought up while using a Store App or on the Start screen.
When the "Show Windows Store apps on the taskbar" option is checked, drag your mouse downward along the very bottom of the screen. The Taskbar will slide up and you can use it to switch between Apps, access the Start button, etc.
- You can see the Taskbar on the Start screen regardless of the "Show Store apps on the taskbar" setting
There are some additional changes to OS behavior that may catch you by surprise – here's a chart to help clarify:
|
Default Behavior and Settings |
||
|
Device Type |
Before Windows 8.1 Update |
After Windows 8.1 Update |
|
Tablet |
|
|
|
Non-tablet |
|
|
App-specific Changes
The Update introduces changes to some of the in-box Apps such as:
-
Internet Explorer 11
- There are changes to both the Modern and Desktop versions
- A future post here will dive into the details of these changes
-
SkyDrive
-
Updated throughout the OS to reflect the new name, OneDrive
-
—-> 
- OneDrive has recently-enhanced features, such as manual Sync and Taskbar icons to provides the status of synchronization
Modern UI
We've added helpful additions to some of the Modern UI screens
Disk Space
- Easily keep tabs on the amount space that your Apps take up and uninstall them right from here (click "See my app sizes")
Rename your PC and/or change domain membership with a tap or a click:
The WiFi 'fly-out' returns
- A context menu provides convenient controls for managing WiFi network connections
- This was removed in Windows 8.1
Touch and touch-keyboard:
- "Tap and a half" is a new, more intuitive touch gesture for touch-pads – allowing you to tap twice but hold second-tap to highlight text or an object, and then drag and drop it.
-
Hide or bring up the touch keyboard:
Well folks, there you have it. Say hello to the Windows 8.1 Update.
Give it a go!
-Blog post updated with new information at 3:00 PM 4/10/14
– Five Merry Men (Mark Morowczynski, Kyle Blagg, Joao Botto, Jeff Stokes and Michael Hildebrand)
andrewz1986, thank you for the feedback. We have passed it on internally
thanks
@Patryk Szczepkowski, The start menu which was shown at BUILD is part of a future update.
@Brian Schott – thanks and glad you found the info helpful and thorough (that’s the PFE way!). This was a group-effort from all the folks mentioned in the post, so feel free to refer to the “Five Merry Men” when you mention the post on your show. Cheers!
Canoe – apologies for the dark edges of that screen shot. It was intended to impress on the reader that the two pictures were different but the high-lighted checkbox is sufficient. A new, brighter screenshot has been uploaded.
JM Acallar – have a look at our prior post – the ‘Boot to Desktop’ section shows you how to choose to boot to the Start screen or desktop: http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2013/10/17/exploring-windows-8-1-start-screen-and-start-button-options-and-configurations.aspx
@Greg Jaworski [MSFT] – I’ve done some testing this morning as promised, and it’s specifically accounts with roaming profiles that are the problem. No roaming profile: OneDrive works (even with redirected AppData). Will post this and further results to the TechNet forum thread above.
Ed – you can right-click the taskbar, choose properties, then go to the Navigation tab. De-select the checkbox: “When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start.” This should take you to the Start screen instead of the desktop.
PIN the Charms as a Option Folks – Congrats on still Missing the Mark. Since I told to “Go F8ck Myself ” at a Microsoft Pre-8.0 “Hackfest” for pointing out parts of the Failed UX.- It is Great to see that you folks have made it so that no can trust Microsoft anymore. You removed VPN “retry” as a option with 8.1 – Yikes, This OS is NOT ready Enterprise since Win 8.x is Really Windows ME – Nice Epic OS Fail Folks, You make Zune look impressively successful.
So any ETA on start menu update for windows 8.1?
sreesiv thank you for the constructive feedback
Correction of a link:
Windows 8.1 Update 1: Taskbar on the Bottom Goes Out of Control
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIu4EoTVFJo
@T.B
It is included already on MSDN as a standalone download and included in Windows 8.1. It will say “Windows 8.1 with Update”
thanks for sharing.
@Michael: Thanks for the positive comments. Being able to keep modern apps in the taskbar makes accessing your open modern apps quick and easy. Please keep an eye on our blog for future posts. If there is something in particular, that you’d like to see, feel free to contact us at http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/contact.aspx.
Personally I’m not a fan of changing the default boot behaviour for some devices and not others. I sometimes feel like I work in the only non-Microsoft location on Earth where users actually embraced the Start Screen on non-touch desktops and laptops. We’re keeping all of our devices booting to the Start Screen for consistency, which we could only do using by pushing out a per-user registry setting, and that’s not ideal.
Far worse though is that OneDrive is still broken for domain accounts with a linked Microsoft account, something that first went belly up in KB2923768. I was able to decline that single update until now, but with Update 1 becoming the new baseline I have no choice but to ruin OneDrive for everyone here. Is anyone looking into this?
Taps, with the new security features that were introduced in Windows 8 it’s very unlikely that you get a virus affecting the boot files. Our focus is to have Windows boot faster, so we skip that option to get users to the logon prompt as soon as possible. If Windows doesn’t boot correctly it will go into WinRE to fix itself. If you are already in Windows and want to go Safe Mode, you can go to Startup and Recovery and choose Advanced Startup. And if you really want to have the menu back every time you boot, just follow these instructions: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2809468
Thanks Richard!
I have to agree with the others, wow. Thanks for taking the time to write this all up, very nice!
The KB2919355 article states “All future security and nonsecurity updates for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 require this update to be installed”.
What happened to Microsoft’s Lifecycle policy with providing customers with a 24 month timeframe before ending support of a superseded operating system RTM / Service Pack level ??
This update is effectively equivalent to a Service Pack, if not more so as it also contains functionality changes for both the operating system and browser. According to the KB article it is 768mb in size.
By immediately withdrawing all future security updates for Windows 8.1 RTM in the eyes of most enterprise customers you are effectively performing an immediate End-of-Life on Windows 8.1 RTM itself.
This places enterprise customers who are in the midst of a Win8.1 RTM rollout in a very precarious position given that they are now forced to introduce this very large update into their SOE in a very short timeframe.
There’s always a higher risk of introducing breakages with an update of this size as well, and by dropping patch support with little notice Microsoft is not leaving any time for enterprises to conduct a reasonable QA effort on ‘Update 1’ or deal with any subsequent issues/defects that arise. So the enterprise customers are faced with a dilemma, either deploy this major update immediately with a reduced level of QA, or run the risk of being unpatched if a major security incident occurs.
I know that Microsoft wants its customer base to adopt updates to its Windows platform faster, but immediately dropping security patching on the Win 8.1 RTM release is just plain crazy.
Tell me please is background copying in explorere is action by design ? As well as confirmations on delete/remove – they are appearing at the background too.
For example i am at some folder, i choose some iso and press ctrl+c, then i press ctrl+v and what i see ? Nothing – process started at the background!
I have been using the OS for 6 months and have basically never used the modern interface (except by mistake). The 2919355 problems kept me away from the update till today.
Now that modern inter-operates with classic, to some degree I’ve really tried modern, for the first time. Well done guys. My life will be spent within desktop most of the time but having seen this I’ll start using Modern.
Looking forward to your next moves.
@The Angry Technician: Are you using the GPO to enforce the setting or applying reg key via GPO/script/etc.? There is a GPO for that setting at “User ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesStart Menu and TaskbarGo to the desktop instead of Start when signing in”
How do we Activate Windows To Go for external users? Our WTG users will all be external sales reps who will NEVER connect to our domain.
How safe is it to have a KMS server in the DMZ for these machines to contact? What are Microsoft’s recommendations in this case? WTG info says MAK activation is not recommended so what are our alternatives?
Am I download “Windows 8.1 Update KB2919355” for 3 Nos PC (Win8.1 Pro x64) from following link
File size 690.783mb
LINK: http://www.download.windowsupdate.com/d/msdownload/update/software/crup/2014/02/windows8.1-kb2919355-x64_e6f4da4d33564419065a7370865faacf9b40ff72.msu
These so called "upgrades" of Windows 8 rather downgrades the system. The more you change it, the more broken it is. Do you guys at Microsoft employ some betatesters?
(The videos below contain important graphic notes. Turn it on when needed please.)
Windows 8.1 Update 1: Taskbar on the Bottom Goes Out of Control
http://youtu.be/Z6n8Qfweo8E
Windows 8.1 Update 1: Taskbar on the Right Goes Out of Control
http://youtu.be/NSd7rx9qE78
Windows 8.1 Update 1: Taskbar on the Top Goes Out of Control
http://youtu.be/zO0wsZQeMJI
Windows 8.1 Update 1: Taskbar on the Left Goes Out of Control
http://youtu.be/Z6n8Qfweo8E
Windows 8.1 Update 1: Taskbar Option Glitch
http://youtu.be/-_wglHfAihk
I can’t see windows title!
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sjGZFgYhe0epvBh48JAHzNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
Check out Windows 9 Design Concept:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cUJhaZ0Xq4&feature=share&list=PLDLw5owfnUAxlJKuqdnNoLVcN7XizEBPU
Several comments have asked how to boot to the Start screen (or desktop) after this update. You’ll need to uncheck (or check) the "When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start" checkbox on the "Navigation" tab of the
"Taskbar and Navigation properties" dialog box – hope this helps.
@Kyle Blagg – I am deploying a reg setting via GPP (using the “apply once” option). The GPO setting doesn’t allow the boot behaviour to be changed by the end user; I want to present what I think is the best default behaviour but still give end users a choice.
You just said.
Now, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!?!?!?!?!
@Greg Jaworski [MSFT] – Since KB2923768, OneDrive stops syncing any changes in either direction, and the Win8 app shows an error on opening saying that “There was a problem opening this location.. Please try again.” The OneDrive icon also does not appear in the system tray. There are other reports here: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/663e5ae5-6bf1-4601-845b-00c7dfad4677/update-kb2923768-is-breaking-my-skydriveonedrive-domain-setup-roaming-profileuser-rights
Since you aren’t experiencing issues, it clearly isn’t as simple as just domain accounts. I’ll try to do some more troubleshooting tomorrow to see if it’s a roaming profile/redirected AppData issue. It would be nice to get some attention on it if it’s unknown internally, or some feedback if someone is working on it.
What the $&#@? Now I can’t upgrade my Windows XP computer to Windows 8.1, because it’s infected with a virus, and it can cause a BSoD:
A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer…
Technical information:
*** STOP: 0x0000006B (0x00000000, 0x40abc6a2, 0xc0900104, 0x00000000) PROCESS1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED address 0x40abc6a2 in 0x6B_nt!ObReferenceObjectSafe+d
Wow, two updates and still nothing on the biggest complaint, NO START MENU and the second NO RESIZE of apps… looks like windows 8 will die in my VM test bed and never see the light. How do you get it wrong twice?… I guess “third times a charm” is the new motto…
@David
We have initiated some conversations surrounding the “bugs” that you’ve referenced. Thanks for the links.
@The Angry Technician — I am not personally aware of your OneDrive issue. I have two domain joined machines both running the Update and OneDrive is working on these just fine. I have both OneDrive and OneDrive for Business. OneDrive was also working properly prior to this update. My Microsoft account is linked of course on both of these machines. Can you possibly elaborate on what the issue is?
Nice. Thanks for sharing.
How can I get these new features? Should I use Windows Update?
For those missing Power button in Start screen, there is a step-by-step guide how to enable in Windows 8.1 update (http://www.borncity.com/blog/?p=148302). HTH
thanks for sharing.
Leadtek WinFast DTV2000 H Plus
http://www.leadtek.com/eng/product/6/458/intro.aspx#pitem=driver is not compatible with 8.1. Tried W7 and Vista 64b drivers and PVR does not find any channel. There remains unknown PCI device in Device Manager.
This is wrong:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/CompatCenter/ProductDetailsViewer?Type=Hardware&Name=Leadtek+WinFast+DTV2000+H+Plus+TV+Tuner+Card&ModelOrVersion=&Vendor=Leadtek&Locale=1033&LastSearchTerm=&BreadcrumbPath=TV+devices|&TempOsid=Windows+8.1
Thank you sir.
Exploring Windows 8.1 Update – Start Screen, Desktop and Other Enhancements
thank you
@Corry
The updated ISO is currently available on MSDN for customers who have access. The updated ISO will be available for Volume License customers on 4/14. Based on what I’m hearing right now, e-distributors including windows.com and microsoftstore.com should have updated ISOs available by 4/30.
New upgrades to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8 will include the Update. It will not be necessary to go from 8->8.1->8.1 Update. You run the upgrade process from the store like you normally would, but it will now include the 8.1 Update.
See this link for more details:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/update-from-windows-8-tutorial
Windows has never been so inconsistent and confusing in the past. NEVER! It looks like every week we need to learn new things to be able to use it. Every week Microsoft decides to change something, and it’s not only the UI… How do they expect people to use it, especially in a business environment where time is money and users don’t read blogs like this? It is time that application developers start using frameworks like Qt so users are able to decide if they still want to use Windows or change to a normal stable business-usable OS.
Very detailed.
Joao Sousa Botto: You’re welcome.
There is even more:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m9rDMM8h4Hmn2tF1BK3OX9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
It’s nice to see Microsoft finally interested. My previous feedback addressed directly to Microsoft employers was mostly ignored.
wazzup
Too good
thanks for sharing
Wow. This is the most thorough review of what Windows 8.1 Update brings to Windows 8.1 and will certainly get talked about on my podcast this week.
I was poking around my updated system this past weekend and discovered however, that the SkyDrive directory under your user profile does not get renamed to OneDrive.
I wrote up a how-to over on my blog for making that change and it can be found at
http://www.windowsobserver.com/2014/04/06/rename-skydrive-folder-to-onedrive-after-windows-8-1-update-installation/
Thanks again for a great post.
Richard Hay
Microsoft MVP
Windows Expert Consumer
also noticed that under task scheduler, skydrive is not renamed! oops!
As a visually impaired person, – can someone please explain to me how you think it’s reasonably possible to view the window title bar in this image? http://blogs.technet.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-91-74-metablogapi/040614_5F00_1154_5F00_ExploringWi12.png – this is a serious issue with Windows 8.1.
Something as simple as being able to read the title bar of a window is made impossibly hard unless you choose just the right contrasting shades. Darker themed windows are impossible as you can’t see the window title text. Please, fix this.
How to boot from metro? I like it when it booted on the Metro Start Screen
Is the ‘lock touch keyboard’ something that needs an Office update too? I’m already running 8.1 Update (from MSDN) with Office 365 Home Premium, and I don’t see anything like that.
I wish I could upgrade by since I moved my Users folder to a second HDD (which apparently is a major offense in Microsoft’s new closed-view world) I can’t upgrade to 8.1 without having to do a full clean re-install (major PITA!) and then move the Users folder again (because I don’t want it on my Primary! It’s not the My Docs folders that are the issue, it’s the AppData folder and all the junk dumped in there by my apps that wastes my precious primary HDD space / performance)
I ****** hate Microsoft 8 and there stupid way of teaching everyone to use the start menu for years and then out of no were force everyone to go *** off, dont they know how to roll out a major change??????
And yet still no option to enable the Start old menu… its as if Microsoft WANTS Windows to fail.
It’s so difficult to differentiate the desktop apps by icon. I know it’s a big problem, because I’ve started on relying on just the app captions instead of the icons.
Putting colored squares behind the icons impeded their recognizability, and worse, made some of the icons almost unrecognizable. Worse case here is the icon for Lync 2013, that green background totally made the overall icon shape totally pointless.
Please don’t put colored squares behind icons of desktop apps. Leave the transparency of the icons against the common start screen background.
NOTE: Metro-UI Icons are fine. They are white icons against a solid color, and it works for me. Now for Desktop Apps that use detail and color, multi-colored backgrounds won’t help at all.
Will the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation ISO be updated (slipstreamed) with Update (1)?
@Mark Morowczynski [MSFT]
I know but, I am speaking about this one: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx
“The WiFi ‘fly-out’ returns
•A context menu provides convenient controls for managing WiFi network connections “
Thank you based Microsoft. This is almost all I wanted.
Now gimme the tray icons on all taskbars when I’m using multiple monitors and you’ll achive perfection.
Nice, post on the features, and windows 8.1 is great for a tablet. But, I still will not recommend Win 8.1 for a PC for my customers, till they reintegrate the start menu UI. It is a shame we have to use a 3rd party application “Classic Shell” by Ivo Beltchev. To make Windows 8.1 a viable PC operating system. And the search feature is still broken just giving people a clickable looking glass does not speed things up it slows them down. They need to get rid of the category’s in the search “pain” and bring up the 10 most likely search items then have the category’s below that. As fast as windows 8.1 is it is still slow because it is slowing the user down making things harder and more clicks to accomplish the same goals. At least there is a easier way now to shut it down. One down so many more to go.
You guys just don’t get it do you? I am working on a PC, not a cell phone! Give me back a workable office OS. Windows 8 is a toy for people who do not use a PC to actually get some real work done.
I agree totally with Trip. He hit the nail on the head.
All I can say is, you better fix this video game you call Windows 8 or never drop support for Windows 7!!!
I’m really loving the update, including on the Surface 2. I do hope that MS considers giving Tablet users the option to Toggle the following: 1) Display Power icon on Start screen — my wife, even after showing her the swipe-from-right > Settings > Power, she felt it was unintuitive. I agree to the extent that it requires more swipes than needed for Restart/Shutdown. 2) The blue highlight for newly-installed apps — this doesn’t stand out on Blue backgrounds. Either give the ability to change the highlight color, or I’ll have to change my background to something not blue. 3) When closing an app, it reverts to the previously-used app. I’d like to have an option to revert back to the previous behavior: going to the Start screen.
Other than that, thanks a lot for the nice update!
Seriously, what was Microsoft thinking before this patch?
I still can’t believe there was not a way to manage WiFi connections…
Now I just want to be able to use OneDrive in my work with my home account, the Web Folder workaround sucks.
Michael,
I have to say that I agree with Richard in his assessment of your review of Windows 8.1 Update in that it is the most thorough review of the Update I have read. Like Richard, I will be talking about it as well to my listeners. I host a radio talk show on technology and this will serve as a great basis for a segment I am doing on Windows this week. I feel that you deserve the credit as well so if you don’t mind, I’ll credit you on my show when I get to this segment.
I’m going to watch for your articles on this blog from this point forward. Excellent Work!
Brian Schott
Host of “Tech Talk”
“The Mighty 790” KFGO-790AM
Without the Start Menu, this update is still meaningless. I will stick to my Classic Shell until the menu show up. I really do not know what takes Microsoft so long to do this.
May just be me but on two systems now it seems there is a little unusual behaviour. With “show store apps on taskbar” selected but without “… go to the desktop instead of Start” checked, I find my devices returning to the desktop when closing the last open store app. Surely upon closing the last store app the device should return to Start. It’s almost as if showing store apps on the taskbar overrides any user setting regarding where to go after closing all apps.
A bit more directly relevant to the article- I welcome the context menu for wifi networks, but can we get the context menu for ethernet networks too. I see no point having to navigate through PC Settings to switch network file sharing on and off.
I think MS needs to make a major revision of the OS servicing model. The 8.1 Update is about 5 different updates each requiring a reboot. I know it’s not a fair comparison, but from the consumer stand point it’s a lot easier to install major iPad OS updates than it is to update any version of Windows.
Hello, Five Merry Men! Thought I’d post again about how awesome it is to now be able to display running Modern Apps on the Taskbar on a PC (and Surface 2). I didn’t even know that feature was needed, but after perusing it, I must say, great job, MS! Overall, very happy with the update, and as several others mentioned, kudos to you guys for this very informative blog post. I learned more from it than from other sites. Yes, you guys are the PFEs with deep knowledge of the product, but great job compiling it all.
How can I change to back to booting to the Start Screen?
Chris, see 12th post at the top…
Michael Hildebrand – MSFT
7 Apr 2014 8:15 PM
JM Acallar – have a look at our prior post – the ‘Boot to Desktop’ section shows you how to choose to boot to the Start screen or desktop: http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2013/10/17/exploring-windows-8-1-start-screen-and-start-button-options-and-configurations.aspx
Why doesn’t Microsoft supply a 8.1 update 1 ISO for everyone, instead of forcing them to get the ISO from alternative means ?
Think about it, windows 8 was pretty much junk for more power users (heck pretty much all users).
Then 8.1 came around, and fix a few things.
Now Update 1 comes around and fixes a few more things.
That means, for most users who abandoned windows 8, they must now install windows 8, then install 8.1 then finally update 1, instead of going directly to 8.1 update 1.
Doing it piecemeal requires a very long time, and is storage intensive, and not to mention error prone.
Come on Microsoft, make this process easier by releasing a ISO to everyone!
Hi,
Could someone at Microsoft PLEASE look at this major bug:
http://www.surfaceforums.net/forum/microsoft-surface-pro-2/8602-have-they-fixed-bug-where-device-crashes-when-booting-sleep.html
http://answers.microsoft.com/thread/cfc68b0a-d4a7-4561-abbe-7879552ebd96
It really makes the tablet pointless, as you can’t use it like a tablet anymore due to the bug.
Hi…thanks for the write-up. I have one question though. Working on the Surface 2, I find that if I have a couple of apps open – say IE and the Mail app – and I close both of them, why am I sent to the desktop space? Earlier, I would return to the Start Screen. I did uncheck the box which says return me to the desktop in TaskBar>Properties>Navigation. But that does not help. While I can (barely) understand the logic on desktop machines, why should this happen on devices like the Surface 2? Would be grateful if you could shed some light on this. Thanks.
Apropos to my last post: Someone told me how to solve that particular issue. You need to uncheck the box that says show Windows Apps on the Task Bar. This option appears on the first tab after going through Task Bar> Properties.
Really confused about a few things… has the volume on touch keyboard typing clicks been reduced? I can’t hear the clicking sounds anymore unless I crank the system volume to at least double what it used to be.
Also, previously when I had the option for having the ‘standard keyboard’ off, the icon wouldn’t even show up at the bottom right of the keyboard picker. Now, the icon shows up but it’s greyed out. Is that on purpose?
Lastly, I can’t find the ‘lock touch keyboard’ icon in Office… any thoughts? And, didn’t touchpads always let you double-tap to select?
thanks 🙂
A great writeup!
Is there a gpo to remove the newly placed search on the start screen? (for a locked-down public-use pc)
Happy that MS is inching forward. How about Windows Pro (sans tiles) for content producers and regular Windows for consumers? The old dividing line needs some modernizing too.
How to Decode d8de782b5a8aeaa9c65c41fc in Access. Its a password Please guide me information
Do you guys own shares in Stardock Software? They have an awesome Windows start menu. It works just like Windows 7. I suggest that you acquire the company and embed their clever technology into Windows 8. It will be a big leap forward for Microsoft and will send a strong signal to the market that you understand that usability is also about knowledge capital, and that you listen to your customers.
WINDOWS 8.1 SUCKS.
This is undoubtably one of the WORST versions of windows to EVER come out. Did the designers have their heads up their proverbial ASSES when designing this crap?????
Super!!!
8.’X’ Update ‘X’ concept and rapid release cadence sounds excellent, and pleased to know that feedback turns into action.
Some feedback…
More consistency is expected between Classic and Modern Shell. For example why is it that the “Close” and “Minimize” buttons being thought of as used by only mouse users? Why can’t it be slightly more wide, spaced, big and be more touch friendly. The same applies to the desktop Window’s “Close”, “Minimize” & “Maximize” buttons as well. Whether the rest of the elements in the App’s Window is touch friendly is up to the developer, like the Office’s (on Desktop) Ribbon and it’s ‘touch enabler’ which makes the Ribbon elements bigger and wider. But the default Shell UI elements (‘X’, ‘‘ etc.), should be spaced out and visually consistent across Modern and Classic Shells.
In short, the Desktop and its UI elements should be more touch friendly and there can be a configuration switch to toggle/tune it. Slowly, but ‘steadily’ the differences should be fused out and this ‘toggle’ switch should be the way to switch between Couch/Tablet mode and Desk/Desktop mode, with no two versions of the same app _and no two Shell UI elements/screens. You guys be the ones to lead this fusing/melding ( talking about W9 here 🙂 ). The developers will follow suit. After all if someone’s been in this industry for a decent amount of time, they might have noticed how the devs follow MS’s styling, the recent example being the great Start Screen (Phone & PC).
Keep rocking. Thanks.
Something that would be very useful – a context menu for LAN & VPN connections as well. Something basic like properties and status, as a shortcut instead of having to go into several other areas to get this information.
Im experiencing installation issues.. i have a brandnew hp probook with
oem win 8 pro..i run the advisor tool and get no problems detected however
after 3 update tries i give up..every time it takes 3 hours and several
restarts norhing works. I cant choose to log locally and my password plus
My biometric scanner is ignored. When i get ro desktop i keep
getting both login failure and pc failure.even after reboots..ihad no
errors on 8 and 7
Not bad. Should be in first installment of win8 almost 2 years ago, though. Not that community wasn’t asking.
Glad to see some user friendly improvements to Windows 8.1. One of the biggest omissions that came with the Windows 8 release is the traditional safe mode. I can’t stress enough how important safe mode is! It makes no sense that the only way that you can access the advanced features to troubleshoot issues or get rid of a virus is by using the normal boot process that we know very well is prone to infections. It will be more helpful to make the advanced troubleshooting options and system repair options as one of the boot options, before loading the full OS. That way, if a virus is preventing legit executable programs from running there will be a way to remove it by running a stripped down OS in safe mode or using advanced options without having to refresh or reset the PC.
Still a lot to “Fix”. Starting with Metro… This should be put in the recycle bin on desktop PCs. That being said, the reason is Metro apps don’t work like software, you feel like your OS has a multiple personalities and always trying to figure out which personality your dealing with, then once you figure it out which one you’re dealing with, you have to learn how to navigate between them. Metro apps/ start screen don’t have functionality as the taskbar or start menu. Which brings me to my deal breaker, no start menu, no Windows 8. Microsoft claims they’re listening to feedback, but I have yet to see them act.
All these changes and it’s still the ugliest friggin’ thing I’ve ever seen. How hard is it to make this thing not ugly?
You say that Microsoft is listening, but ,unfortunately, it is not getting the point. Sure, it has appeased the Desktop crowd, but ,in doing so, it has abandoned those of us who have adopted the modern interface(in my case, since Beta). Now, when we close an app, we are shunted to Desktop or the previous app. Do you want someone to come to your house and tell you to go back to the dining room when you actually need to go to the bathroom? So, here is the point: If Microsoft insists on having a split OS, give ALL of us the options use the side we want.
The ‘Taskbar’ feature on the start screen does not work in Hyper-V guest VMs and moving the mouse to the bottom of the screen (and further down to trigger the taskbar to show up) has no effect.
The ‘Taskbar’ feature on the start screen does not work in Hyper-V guest VMs and moving the mouse to the bottom of the screen (and further down to trigger the taskbar to show up) has no effect.
Nice work. The only request I have is for you to please bring back the Windows classic UI theme. Or at the very least, make more UI elements customizable. Currently the taskbar text must be the same color as the title bar text. It would be so helpful to be able to adjust these as in previous versions. Thank you.
One step closer to being ready for corporate America! Get the start menu added and you’ll be golden.
Still infested with “Modern UI”. Sorry, I moved on and installed Linux. I won’t be coming back to Windows, nor will I EVER give MS one more red cent of my money. You BLEW it!
Nice post. Proves MS is doomed. Note: Apple kept their UI for laptop/desktop unchanged for decades, because it worked and people liked it. MS had Windows XP, a UI so popular people are still clinging to it after support has ended. What does Ballmer and his band of idiots do? Completely screw with the interface that works. “We have something better”. No you don’t. The plunging PC sales proves it. This “update” is a half-assed attempt to climb out of a mile-deep sludge pit, but all that’s been done is about 20 feet of progress. I have no doubt that Apple is thanking Ballmer endlessly for his folly. Final thought: Bill Gates at development meetings would pound his fist on the table demanding that MS create a “Mac on the PC”. Boy, did Ballmer get it wrong.
This was very helpful. I’m an old time UNIX CLI kinda guy, but am quite facinated with Win 8 and these changes make it a lot nicer.
From Metro mode, without going into Desktop mode how can I tell which Apps are running?
This was very helpful. I’m an old time UNIX CLI kinda guy, but am quite facinated with Win 8 and these changes make it a lot nicer.
From Metro mode, without going into Desktop mode how can I tell which Apps are running?
This is a really good start. There are a lot of features I like about windows 8 and these changes help, but I won’t migrate my users at work until the start button returns. Sorry. I tested it users last year and it was a disaster.
Still no menu option to see the Network status like was in Windows 7?
Hi Guys,
is there any way to a) remove the ugly context menu for the apps and b) remove the X for closing apps?
I liked my Windows 8.1 how it was before 🙁
Regards,
Jens
@Jay Sathi: move the mouse to the top-left corner, then down. On a touch device, swipe from the left edge of the screen to the right, and back to the left. This will show you all running Modern apps.
With that said, I wish Microsoft came up with a single identity for the “Modern” apps. It’s either Metro, Modern, Windows Store, Windows 8-Style, Store, Tile… confusing branding.
Great Review..
Windows 8 is a great OS. When I learned it and started using it, my productivity went up quite a bit because I was led into a more efficient way of working by the interface.
I am a video and audio producer and I do quite a bit of technical work in app development for various platforms. Windows 8.1 is most definitely the best Windows so far for doing advanced work; people saying that it is for consumers only really do not know what they are talking about. The OS is fast, sleek, and provides quick ways to get to everything you want.
Everyone complaining either hasn’t spent the time to learn Windows 8, or has a stubborn and purposeful hangup about moving on to new things. There are definitely things that need to be fixed (the clash between Metro and Desktop is a rough edge) but I applaud Microsoft for taking risks in moving their platforms forward.
So with my Taichi (supposed to be a tablet or is it a notebook???) I can NOT get the device to boot to start screen no matter what I do in the preferences. It boots to Desktop and returns to desktop every time.
What’s up with that?
@ridiculous I initially hated Windows 8 (long-time user since MS-DOS), and still did on the Desktop PC for a very long time, especially Server 2012. Once I started using the Surface RT (and later the Surface 2), I actually found it very intuitive for Tablet/Touch use. I still disliked a lot of the touch-centric UI on the Desktop PC (Server 2012 in a Remote Desktop session with multiple monitors is the most frustrating!), but with Windows 8.1, and especially 8.1 Update, MS has gone the right direction. I agree, by giving Windows 8 a try, over time, I found Windows 8 to be quite nice. With the next update’s planned re-introduction of the classic Start menu (and further Modern Apps integration), I believe that Microsoft will have an excellent OS that’s suitable for both touch and mouse/keyboard.
As a user of multiple screens, Win 8’s booting to the start screen on one display was something I never had a problem with, Microsoft’s changing of how the other screens behaved in 8.1 (from displaying the desktop and with it the status and info apps I run at start-up to blanking them out with the start screen background colour) I do have a problem with. The original view provided a nice mix, the reduced functionality of the change was less than desirable.
Why are you guys not willing to bring back the real start menu? I keep hearing it is coming and each “major” release basically says “it is coming really soon” and voila… nothing.
@Michael Hildebrand: Could you or the team pls address the “power button in start screen” missing issue? You wrote above, that the button will be hidden on screens below 8,5 ” – but I have found users with bigger screens (also Surface users), where the power button is missing in upper right start screen corner.
I’ve addressed it in my German blog article (http://www.borncity.com/blog/?p=148259) and I have escalated it in German MS Answers forum.
Maybe there is a workaround or a solution for this. You can contact me via my blog or my my MVP Lead / profile (http://mvp.microsoft.com/de-de/mvp/G%C3%BCnter%20Born-5000139).
Thx
Updated my work computer, hope there will come a fix for the WSUS problem soon too 😛
Ok, found the Registry key for Power Button in start Screen:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionImmersiveShellLauncher
Add a DWORD value Launcher_ShowPowerButtonOnStartScreen and set it to 1
im sorry but microsoft became stupid i hope new company will run them out of existence, no start?wtf gates are you on drugs??@?!@?
its so simple to make an option to disable metro and add start like classic interface why do you make us consume *** we don’t need. stupid micro, soft, all over again…
◦If your screen is less than 8.5″, then you won’t see the Power icon – you’ll only see the Search icon
– I have Asus Transformer Book T100 and I have only Search button, here just said that only screen less then 8.5″ will have only search button, and mine have 10.1″. Can someone tell me why??
@ridiculous is SPOT ON!
All these fools complaining about Win8 being a disaster have not taken the time to learn the UI. You always hear about how resistant some people are to change, but to see it demonstrated so vehemently is funny. In ALL aspects, Win8 is superior to the versions of the o/s that came before it — especially XP. Come on people – you sound so pathetic. You’re the modern day equivalent of the Luddites.
Now – regarding Update 1: I agree with an earlier poster who complained about getting dumped in desktop after closing the last app. I love the Modern UI and have set my AIO with touch screen (with which I still use the mouse and keyboard 98% of the time anyway) to boot directly to the Start Screen. I expect my PC to operate as it did before the update after I reset the default boot settings – that is, when I am using a Modern app and close it, I want to see the Start Screen. If I am using a legacy desktop app and close it, I want to see the desktop.
The current mode of taking people to the desktop, or the last used app, after closing an app is NO BUENO! Hot fix, please!
Booting directly to the desktop by default is an unfortunate decision, but as long as we can change it back to the normal Windows 8 behaviour that is fine. Sticking with the Start button as it is in 8.1 is very good news. Hopefully if there is some decision to return the menu itself we’ll have a way to revert it to 8.1 behaviour, otherwise some sort of hack will have to be found.
@Günter Born, thanks for the Registry entry to add the Power button to touch devices. I’ll check it out for the Surface 2.
@Joseph: if I read right, the Power icon doesn’t show up for smaller screens, and for touch-enabled devices (such as the Surface).
@Live in Dallas: I came across a solution posted by someone in regards to closing the last app and being placed into Desktop mode (I’ll share in a bit). In regards to your suggestion, I believe it’s best that if one is in Desktop mode, closing an app should take you to the Desktop. If in Modern UI, closing the app should take you the Start screen. Either way, I hope that a future update will give the user options for how Windows should behave once an app is closed. I do not, however, like that after closing every app on the Surface 2, it kicks you into Desktop. That makes no sense. With that said, to revert the behavior back to closing to the Start screen, you’ll have to uncheck the “Show Store apps on Taskbar” option. This, unfortunately, removes the ability to see Store apps on the taskbar, removes the Minimize button from Store apps, and removes the Taskbar visibility function when in a Store app. I really like the functionalities that the “Show Store apps on Taskbar” option provides, but absolutely hate getting kicked into Desktop on the last app’s closing. Getting thrown into the last-used app is something I can live with (although I’d like to turn off that function), but not when thrown into Desktop mode. Basically, when closing the last app, you have to close the Desktop as well to get back to the Start screen.
Come to think of it, perhaps these options would be desirable:
– On a touch device: CLOSING a Store app would take you to the Start screen. MINIMIZING a Store app would take you to the last-used app (that means, a new Gesture or touch-friendly Minimize button would need to be made available.)
– On a Desktop PC: CLOSING or MINIMIZING a Store app should take you to the Desktop.
@Günter Born: The registry key/value unfortunately did not bring the Power button to Surface 2. However, based on my own research, it appears to work for the Asus Transformer tablets. So, perhaps the Registry addition doesn’t do anything for WinRT. Thanks again, though, for the tip.
@Michael Y: “So, perhaps the Registry addition doesn’t do anything for WinRT.” – yes, I agree – that’s what we (some German MVPs) also found out. It won’t work on Surface RT, but it works on Surface Pro and Asus T100 (and some other tablet). On Dell Venue 8 Pro the registry value will be ignored – because display is below 8,5 inch.
After updating to windows 8.1 my Microsoft Visio won’t work again. Any solution? I’m using Samsung ATIV Book 9
On a Venue Pro 11 (10.8″ screen) there is no power button either. Doesn’t bother me but just fyi. 🙂
Any thoughts on the touch keyboard click sound being reduced in volume?
Does this new update down load automatically if you have your computer set for automatic updates or do you have to manually down load it? My computer say there are no pending updates but this new update has not come through to my computer yet. 4/10/14
Hey PFE Team,
Any ideas how IE can be fixed so that the address bar and tabs don’t take up 3cm of my 17cm screen (Vertically)? Since it now seems to show the address bar and Tabs which are open.
Have to say this would be one of the worst things I have seen with Update 1…
Previously Modern IE was clean and crisp – no intrusions…
Now it just looks like the desktop version.
Mind you I am using it on a laptop, still it was pretty effortless to move your mouse to the top of the screen to see which tabs were open, it was also great to be able to see the Tabs, now we just get some text.
Hopefully this dosnt happen to the Surface and Modern IE – If that’s the case, Microsoft you need to get your Devs to look at the changes and how much screen real estate is being used when you make these changes.
@Michael Y: thanks for the tip. I made those setting changes and now do not get dumped into desktop after closing last Modern app. An improvement, for sure, but I too liked being able to see the Modern apps running on the task bar while in the desktop.
Clearly, Microsoft still has some refining to do on the user experience, but they are closer at making everyone happy and that’s a good thing. Keep up the good work guys.
Another in the occasionally out-of-sequence Tips: since this is quite topical, it’s jumping the queue
Perhaps I’m an outsider… I like windows 8 and 8.1 for a lot of things, but would like to ask if someone know a way to disable start screen contextual menu and title bar on modern apps and revert back to pre update 1 behaviour on notebook or use the same behaviour on notebook like the one on surface devices. thanks…
Hi,
Thanks for this detailed review of the 8.1 update. Is there any chance someone can tell us how as administrators we can take control of what apps ( through apps view or Metro UI) users can see ? For example we have situation where a GPO that pretty much locked down everything for students now throws open the powershell app jus by typing Powershell in the search charm or it can be seen by pressing the down arrow in the main metro UI start menu.
I am not sure if this is a bug or we ( ICT team at the school) have completely missed the point.
Just bring back the start menu please. That is all.
How do I override the new default behaviour for returning to the desktop on a laptop? Or trick the OS into thinking it’s a tablet? I want to stay in the modern UI on this laptop, not be dumped to desktop on startup and when a modern app is closed.
I’ve just got done extolling the virtues of the new UI to my father and sister, and now post update it’s all changed and I’m having to re-teach them. Grr!
Inside the Windows 8.1 Update
i hate that it send me back to the desktop after closing an app. I want to change my computer back so that after i close an app, it takes me to my start menu. How do i do that!? someone please help me!
Microsoft has been listening to customer feedback. Much of this feedback has been received and some of
And where ist this fu***ing old menu. Microsoft was say that they will bring with the update the function to integrate the old win-7 Menü back. Without using Start8 or PowerShell. Can somebody say me where and how can i change this F+++ Windows 8 Menü to the old Menü?
Nice post, very well made.
Can you please share some details about the changes Microsoft made to make Windows 8.1 Update less memory consuming? Do those improvements apply also in VDIs? Can I assign only 1 GB of RAM for VM?
@Ryan and @ehenn:
Right-click the task bar in desktop and select Properties. Uncheck the second to last checkbox – “Show Windows Store Apps on the Task Bar”
This will fix the issue of being dumped into desktop after closing the last Metro app.
This update is creating many problems to people. To me once installed the update, I did not have the possibility to access to the desktop. all blocked. had to close windows using control-alt-del.
to my friend a different problem: the icons on the desktop where not associated to the programs. i hope that all problems will be fixed before the month of may. at the moment i do not install the update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now we have a deadline, (and not a long one) before which we have to download and install this update if we wish to receive updates for 8.1?
Have any of you peeked outside of your ivory tower long enough to notice that some people don’t have continous high speed Internet connections over which they can download all of your patches, debugs, fixes and endless mods?
Or that some of us pay for every megabyte we download?
Or that administrators supporting large bases of installed users now have multiple conncurrent updates to perform and support?
How about writting it once, properly, instead of hacking endlessly and then issuing fix after fix?
And I just have to say, all of this folksy “dude” stuff comes across about as unprofessional as your crappy code.
One more tip – just discovered a setting in Modern IE 11 that will return the tabs to the pre-Update functionality. While in IE 11 open the Settings charm. Under the Options menu, the first item is “Always show address bar and tabs” – switch that to Off and the address bar and tabs will only show when you right-click on the page like before.
Downloading now, what you describe above looks great. Just a few more improvements I think it could do with:
• Can we get the clock and show desktop on in the bottom right of both monitors?
• Can we get better integration of the share charm? I don’t use Outlook anymore, I don’t feel the need for it since W8 Mail but if I want to share something from the desktop by mail I need to use something like affixa to send it to my Gmail and then send it on. If the share charm could get a little more work (like android, dare I say it?) that would be awesome.
• Will you ever play nicely with Google? I don’t care who did what, I just want Google Calendar to sync properly with my W8 calendar. I’m using an outlook.com calendar subscription as a workaround but it’s not ideal.
No, this is not worth updating either. I’ll still be keeping the stock Windows 8. It’s best for my use.
After VERY BAD experience of upgrade 8 to 8.1 I am very sceptical about another update..
Hi, Thanks for the really detailed and informative review! One question though, I bought my laptop brand new a couple of days ago with 8.1 already on it. I have installed every Windows update possible and yet i still don’t see the options that you state will be there after the update. For example the “Show more apps in the Apps view” slider just isn’t there next to the administrative tools button and neither are the things that should be there in the properties of the taskbar etc. Is there a specific update you are talking about or just something I am doing wrong (quite a possible option!!)
It seems to me you missed the entire point of the complaints.
the only thing here that I see as an improvement is the right click context menus and the power button
Do I Really, Really have to keep being shunted back to the desktop every time I just close out of, one of my live Tiles (example) I just want to go straight from email, straight to bing news to bing sport & my A-Z APP listings
none of which I want to leave open So why keep taking me back to the desktop every time choose to exit a tile,
It’s my only Real Announce with this update.
(This will be my last post on this blog post. Thanks again, PFE, for this nice update)
@Andrea Pavone You can rever the Modern app UI functionality to pre-Update 1 behavior by turning off the “Show Store apps on Taskbar” option
@john Turn off “Show Store apps on Taskbar” option to no longer get kicked back to the Desktop
@Nalin U I implemented something like that for my Citrix environment. There’s a GPO setting to restrict Searches. I don’t remember the exact setting, but I made it so that only files can be searched, and not programs/apps
The update as caused my Asus convertible to not work properly in tablet mode. Any suggestions
Thank you very much Michael Y This is just sooooo!!!! much better now.
Wow, you guys just refuse to give us a start menu.
complete omnishambles from what i can see. just give us an option labeled
“disable metro rubbish and show traditional start menu”
So I read this. I know the Start Menu update is not it in this update. But give us a date. We run a lot of MS Vm’s. I can say right now we will not update to 2012 unless we have a start menu. I don’t want to have to install StartIsBack on every 2012 and 8.1 box we own from here on out. Plus we’re not going to force every employee to convert their desktop enviroment, just to upgrade to Windows 8. Nobody in our IT Dept wants to hear that kind of backlash. So how about a concrete date of when instead of this junk. This is like the Xbox One Release when they did a 360 on the pricing ordeal. Microsoft doesn’t really have a choice.
No matter how much or color and/or fancy clothes you try and put on a skunk, you’ve still got a skunk called Windows 8. It’s pure garbage and needs a total overhaul as even some monthly patches cause sections to stop functioning, leaving the user to search the web for and then manually doing any possible fixes. That’s why I’m switching to another OS.
Thank you so much for this post! I was racking my brain trying to figure out why certain things were now behaving in certain ways! I still wish it would go back to the start screen after closing an app though.
What happened to allowing the Taskbar to be displayed on multiple monitors? I see from your screenshot that it’s gone (as I also experienced when I installed the update); it used to be right under the “Use Peek to preview” option and the help files all still reference to it, but it’s not there.
It’s an extremely useful feature and as someone who regularly works on multiple monitors, is highly annoying that it can’t be enabled anymore. Please put it back ASAP.
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I have installed the updates 17/4/14 and my PC does NOT boot to the desktop despite me checking the box that say to go to the desktop. I also have to keep logging in with a password. Have followed all the online advice re netplwiz and autologon.exe- neither work.
Help
classic viewer does not work on dell venue8 tablet at all.
I hate windows 8 and will be returning this to the store I got it from
So now my bootleg fix to get a desktop 6 months ago and the update are fighting it out and when I boot, it can take between 1 minute and 30 before no icons are left (it continually reloads). Then I can go to F1 and connect with my browser but I cannot get into my hard drive and files except to upload. . Mmmmm, I should have bought an Apple. I can’t get IE or Google Chrome up to help the Helpdesk. They are unfamiliar with Opera, so the applet download will never be found or their other helpers entered into the address bar. Apple reseller, here I come!
“Yes, friends, you can now pin Store Apps to your Taskbar. But wait – there’s more! Not only can you pin Store Apps to the Taskbar; now, running Store Apps can show up on your Taskbar, just like a traditional Desktop App would. Cool?”
The troll is strong in this one.
An OS should not be a main event. That’s why Windows 8 is going to continue to fail. All an OS should do is launch programs to consume and or modify content and connect people to networks. That’s it. It should not act as an application in and of itself and that’s exactly what windows 8 does/feels like and that’s really why it sucks. It’s like an application running an application from within an application. Yo dawg was Xzibit on the Windows 8 development team?
The only problem I have now is that if I am on the Start screen and I open an app and then close it, I get dumped back to the desktop?
If I am on the Start screen when I open a modern app I want to be taken back to the last UI I was using.
If I was on the desktop then take me back to the desktop.
If I am at the Start screen then take me back to that.
I have the option (When I sign in or close all applications on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start) un-checked. But it still does it.
For God sake Microsoft.
Seriously. Twice asked question about key click volume after the update (http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2014/04/07/exploring-windows-8-1-update-start-screen-desktop-and-other-enhancements.aspx#424702),
for Dell Venue Tablets ( Original post was about Dell Venue 11, but it also affects the 8”model as well).
So no one else has encountered this?
And for all the MS responders it didn’t trouble you enough to possibly ask even if you needed more info on the Problem?
Well, here’s Someone else wks’s having the same problem. Could Someone possibly take a moment to consider there might actually be a bug?
Great!!! I just updated my laptop and didn’t know what changed or not, this helped a lot!! Thank you so much.
Very good review and much needed for everyone. Thanks
Actually Classic Shell is made by MS employee: http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1208937-classic-shell-developer-is-microsoft-employee/ and puts the whole Windows team to shame. He should be made top lead of Windows team.
I agree that once you put the Start button back, MS will be a lot closer to providing a corporate OS. Like Vista though, you don’t get it right from Day 1, you lose that adoption.
All the Windows 8 machines I’ve deployed in a corporate setting has had an add-on Start menu. I prefer Pokki, as it’s a nice change to designate your Favorite Apps, and has had the Boot to Desktop option for a while.
Microsoft, I would definitely either focus on getting this back!
When I go into Box I don’t been to be able to get any updates. Also, there doesn’t seem to be any option for “sharing” or “inviting”. It defeats the object of having a “box”. Any info would be helpful!
Bruce
I often use a VPN for remoting into my office PC that is running Windows 7. I would love to be able to use my Dell XPS 11 running Windows 8.1. The problem I have is that when I remote to the PC, the screen size shrinks dramatically and I have trouble viewing anything on the screen. Is there a solution to this that anyone knows about?
After downloading KB2919355 I can no longer right-click inside of metro. Effectively, I can no longer use any computer functions such as searching for a file and then ‘open file location’ or ‘send to desktop’. Any one else have this issue or know how to resolve it?
Excellent information guys. Keep it comming! Thought I was going mad when I noticed my computer booting to the desktop instead of the start screen. The update was automatic so I didn’t see it comming. But I do like it! Thanks.
Now I understand what is happening to me. Why don’t these “Updates” we have forced upon us come with an explanation? We have to find out when things stop working, Like the “hand” goes away and we are left with a stupid look on our uninformed faces. Thanks for the very well written update (which only took me 1 hour to find)
Something I just noticed today is that if you install custom themes to Win 8.1.1 some of them will break the right-click feature of tiles on the modern UI. Weird.
Okay I get some people don’t like the Metro screen but instead of making it device dependent only it should be device dependent during install but it should have an optional switch so the user can decide. I miss it booting up to the Metro Screen.
Please respond I used to have a accent color popup when i right clicked my menu now its context i dont like it please help how to i change it back
Recent Releases :
Exploring Windows 8.1 Update – Start Screen, Desktop and Other Enhancements
Great Review. I’m running 8.1 update 1. The only thing I don’t like is the X to close the apps. I love the RDP app, but that RED X gets in the way of closing windows within my RDP session and at least once a day I close the whole app and lose all my RDP sessions. Wish I could disable it. I like dragging the app to the bottom of the screen to make it close. Other than that, I like it.
thanks,
jbarth
Now my Windows store App doesn’t open after the update
Is there anyway to disable to black bar with minimize/close on modern apps?
It stands out a lot, kinda gets in the way of accessing charms, and is (to me anyway) pointless.
I wish they could move forwards, rather than constantly having to add features to make the experience similar to older versions.
How do I change it back to boot to START, closing App to START, closing all Apps to START and Pictures, Music and Video files open with modern applications? Oh and that ugly top bar on Internet Explorer App, how do we get rid of that? Seems like they’ve taken a leap forwards and then jumped right back.
By what logic Windows decides the color of the blocks in the Start Screen? Most of the older software I install gets apparently random colors, but always the same for the same software, regardless if I reinstall it. How can I change that? Many of the colors make the program title nearly unreadable.
I don’t know all the correct lingo for computers and Windows, but is there any way to get rid of seeing the open tabs above the address bar. I used to right click and be able to see the open tabs, but now they always show.
Hi…. I have downloaded several themes (of pictures) to have them as options for my Desk Top Image… I have applied the changes… saved them done it several times, copied the pictures in ther files, restarted the computer several times… nothing! A dark blue desktop! Even though on the Start Up Icon for Desktop… I can see the picture. Can anyone help please?
this gonna be great yea its going to work for us wizards
Since the upgrade to 8.1 I am unable to use the touch screen function on the taskbar. Any suggestions?
GRTHHGHGHTGHGHG
Anyone experiencing the placement of “two little heads” in the lower left of their desktop icons? I started getting those and I believe it was an update that did it. If I reboot they go away for a while, but eventually return. I have Carbonite and this mini icon replaces the “green” dots reflecting the item is backed up but Carbonite said it’s not their doing. Any ideas?
After Updating, the last Update, I’m not able to use any of the Windows 8 app..
Tried Adobe Reader 8, Reader (Default PDF Reader in Windows 8), Team Viewer 8, Even the Windows Store isn’t working.. While opening I receive the following error “The app didn’t start”.
I have restarted n number of times, as suggested, but no solutions.. Kindly guide
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Hey is there anyway that you can set your computer so that when you close your apps it brings you back to the tiles instead of the desktop??
i wish it could have an option to end up in start screen again after closing every app, i miss that,
I don’t like the recent update! I want my start screen to be default. I do not use the desktop that much. Is there any I can change it back to the way it was?
Pingback from Apply Windows 8.1 Update by June 10th to Get Future Patches
IT ALL SOUNDS VERY CONFUSING AND COULD ALL BE MADE SO MUCH SIMPLER JUST BY PUTING DESK TOP MODE IN THE START MENY AND YOU JUST CLICK IT AND HEY YOUR BACK TO HOW WINDOWS 7 WAS I USE A MOUSE AND KEY BOARD WHICH I FIND FAR MOREEASIER THAN KEEP TOUCHING THE
SCREEN
Really have no problem. It’s an improvement.
@Peter Evans: Awe. Now I have a headache from your shouting.
2014年快过半了，在这几个月里，微软诸多产品技术的更新陆陆续续的发布，包括 Windows 8.1 更新包 ， Windows Phone 8.1 developer preview ， SQL Server
Pingback from Windows 8.1: Ab Juni keine Patches ohne Update 1 » Computer Wissen Information
Its nice article
very good link is here
http://howtowindowsguide.com/windows-8-1/how-to-edit-picture-in-windows-8-1/
Was wondering where the start menu multi-select gone… can we re-enable it???
Was wondering where the start menu multi-select gone… can we re-enable it???
Anyone that has seen similar issues?
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-performance/after-installing-windows-81-update-kb2919355/b178c10b-a2b4-4955-8361-c442df737cb1
and
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_update/after-april-updates-there-is-a-25-seconds-delay-in/4921bf5b-7a8f-4a83-9c74-c3057323c880?tm=1400168784073
Update 4/16/2014: Please refer to the following updates posted in the blog posts below released on April
Does anybody know if it is possible to use Microsoft Silverlight on the surface rt 1? if it please, can anyone explain how?
how to check the logs of the windows 8.1 updates?
Actually, I have one question. How to let me boots to Start. Don’t tell me uncheck the Boots to desktop. I have try, it’s not work as Check the show windows store apps on the taskbar. Is it a bug?
Actually, I have one question. How to let me boots to Start. Don’t tell me uncheck the Boots to desktop. I have try, it’s not work as Check the show windows store apps on the taskbar. Is it a bug?
I’m still waiting for a way to make the start screen default! I am very unhappy that you took away my choice. I bought my laptop with the start screen as default because that’s what I wanted. If others want desktop as their default, let them do it, but
leave the rest of us to enjoy the reason we purchased it.
why did you stupid sob’s change something that worked FINE? ie, the start window at the bottom left hand corner of Win 7, as vs Win 8. you just LIKE forcing people to learn (pointless) new crap?
window 8 is better compare to 8.1 . 8.1 is slow …very slow. poor performance
@ajay : You basing your opinion on one computer or many?
the latest update is buggy as hell on my machine. i can no longer resize my tiles? the taskbar is wonky. it hides/unhides/hides on start screen. i see 2 different login screens at different times. and finally i have to log in now regardless of permissions.
wth? this is what happens when you have to appease the dumb masses that dont ‘get’ it. ohmergerd wers the stert menu? cant microsoft make 2 versions? one for morons that need conformation to wake up in the morning and one for the rest of us?
what about the desktop clock?
Nice, but what most of us really want is for Windows to get out of the way. App screen, whatever…just give me a menu and taskbar. THAT IS HOW WE USE WINDOWS. Starting with the stupid ribbons taking up 25% of the screen, Microsoft has continued to distance
itself from it’s userbase.
Hi I would like to get help concerning windows 8.1 the screen is green and it has freeze on please Wait since 2 days
Hello could you change Windows 8.1 in update 2 to have the control panel in the start menu next to the power icon as seen in this picture:
http://blogs.technet.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-91-74-metablogapi/040614_5F00_1154_5F00_ExploringWi1.png
In fact could we get each of the categories from the control panel there instead as well as the PC settings from the charm bar.
Categories could be better organised too, system, security, personalisation etc as well as the account moved to the right so all of these icons are on the left. I think this is much better than using the charms bar.
I’m sure you can put something better together than what I’ve said above but I would like to use that while keeping that charms bar, also these categories could also be added to the charms bar/changed up a bit.
I think it just makes Windows 8.1 a bit more usable, it’s already a hell of a lot better than 7 and 8 IMO.
I have a dell inspiron 15 and I upgraded from windows 8 to windows 8.1. Now the brightness is at full power and I cannot adjust it. I have gone through multiple "fixes" that I found on the Microsoft web site and nothing is working. Also I noticed my keyboard
icon is greyed out now. I cannot even use this laptop for any length of time because now the screen is so bright it is killing my eyes. I have updated the drivers. I have changed the drivers, nothing works. why would Microsoft release a product that has such
a serious bug and not offer a solution. Even my techie son cannot figure this out. can someone offer a solution that is simple enough for a layperson to follow, thank you,
Every icon I click on does not open and goes directly to my desktop and I can not open anything???? Help
my windows 8.1 keeps on unselecting windows and making them minimize. does anyone know hot to help
Why does this take over 4 hours to install. Wish I had never started in the first place! After 4 hours it’s still "Setting up a few more things at 89%." What is that crap?
Blech, Win 8.1 (just updated) seems to think that my ASUS R500DR laptop is a tablet.
It still boots to the horrible Start screen.
In Taskbar Properties, there is no Navigation tab, where some web pages claim I would be able to select "boot to Desktop".
I noticed no Power button on the Start screen – but I have now at last found the incredibly weird location of "Shutdown/reboot", in the Charm menu (Win+C), Settings – a bit better than cutting the power (yes, that is what we have been doing, not finding the
intended way to close it in an orderly manner).
How do I in reality make the laptop boot to Win 8.1 Desktop?
Nice post. This is the most thorough review of what Windows 8.1 Update brings to Windows 8.1 and will certainly get talked about on my podcast this week.
I wrote up a To Get Windows 8.1 Update On Lumia 520,620,720,525,625,820 Or Any Windows 8 Phones
http://www.techrulz.com/2014/08/how-to-download-windows-phone-81-update.html
Thanks again for a great post.
http://www.techrulz.com/">TechRulz
Wow. This is the most thorough review of what Windows 8.1 Update brings to Windows 8.1 and will certainly get talked about on my podcast this week.
I wrote up a how-to To Get Cortana On Windows Phone 8.1 In Any Country Outside USA
http://www.techrulz.com/2014/09/how-get-started-want-cortana-outside-us-windows-phone-8.1.html">
Thanks again for a great post.
Richard Hay
Microsoft MVP
Windows Expert Consumer
原文地址：
http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2014/04/21/introduction-to-active-directory-federation
i have this stupid arrow that is telling you how to switch between apps, it won’t leave and it’s blocking the upper left hand corner of my screen, totally pissing me off, how do i get rid of it? please help?
Accidently doubled used space due to "Dell Backup and Recovery". Any way to undo?
Exploring Windows 8.1 Update – Start Screen, Desktop and Other Enhancements – Ask Premier Field Engineering (PFE) Platforms – Site Home – TechNet Blogs
I had a very disappointing occurrence with 8.1. The auto update took place without any issues. Then I immediately noticed applications such as the control panel or personalization would not maximize. They would stay in the task bar. I contacted Microsoft
technical assistance. To my surprise I was explained they could assist me. One month would cost $99.00 or one year for $149.00 I attempted to explain 8.0 work fine and the problem occurred after the update was installed.
Didn’t matter what I said. They would not offer me any assistance and went further to say it was complicated to perform. I hung up and went to work resolving this on my own. I simple PC refresh (reinstall to factory setting total of 17 minutes) resolved the
issue. Oh yeah it was free.
friends in my pc does not shows the some apps like store bluetooth ……. how i can rectify
Exploring Windows 8.1 Update – Start Screen, Desktop and Other Enhancements – Ask Premier Field Engineering (PFE) Platforms – Site Home – TechNet Blogs
When I am typing on my laptop, the Apps Screen constantly keeps coming up and interrupts what I’m doing. Any suggestions on how to prevent this? It is becoming very aggravating. I am making sure I am not accidentally hitting the Apps key on the bottom
of my keyboard but it keeps happening.
Hey y’all, Mark back again to help close out another successful year of blogging. We’ve been at this
Thank you for this article.
One question… Is it normal behavior for Windows 8.1 to boot up to Metro UI and after a few minutes later switch by itself to desktop? This happens on boot up only, if left alone for about a minute or so.
Just updated my PC and got the latest update with the newest display layout of the IE address bar with everything large and on the bottom. The older version took up less real estate and was easier for me to read being both at the top of the screen and
black on a light background. (White on black is very difficult for me to read). I need to somehow go back to what I had yesterday for IE while keeping any critical updates. Is there a way?
Window 8.1 not working prperly.
Window 8.1 not working proper
Windows 8.1 is just awesome.
It’s awesome in support of me to have a web page, which is beneficial iin favor of my knowledge.
thanks admin
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