Microsoft has released the Preview of the first major update of Windows 8 and Windows RT released. The update includes better support for high-resolution screens to the OS. Also, the Windows Store will be customized with the release of the free update.
Windows 8.1 Preview is available to install via the Windows Store; the iso-files are currently not yet available. The test version of the update is available for free. The system requirements are identical to those of the current version of Windows 8: the presence of a 1GHz cpu, 1GB of memory with 32bit or 2GB for 64bit, 16GB storage for 32bit or 20GB for 64bit, and a DirectX 9 video card required. With the update for Windows RT is 10GB of free disk space is necessary.
There is still no Dutch version of the Preview. Who is a Dutch version of Windows 8 and, for example, an English-language version of the Preview to install it, should keep in mind that apps and settings will be overwritten: only the user’s files remain. Language interface packs are removed, warns Microsoft.
Most of the improvements that the update should bring made Microsoft is already known. Is new is that the operating system support for high-resolution screens. Now manufacturers even laptops with screen resolutions of 3200×1800 pixels go out, were the items of the OS are often on the small side. Microsoft solves this by more to scale, in the same way as Apple does with OS X on a MacBook Pro with Retina display. Windows 8.1 can display elements up to 200 percent scale, where previously up to 150 percent. It applies to the Modern UI and the traditional desktop environment.
At the same time with the Preview, Microsoft has his Store a bit of a given. Among others, it is easier to find apps and to Microsoft, for example, give recommendations. Microsoft is expected this month, the 100,000 th app to welcome them to the Store. New are, amongst others, an app for Facebook and Flipboard. Microsoft also announced that Windows 8.1 directly to 3d printers can print, with developers here easy apps for.
In Windows 8.1 will further the ‘start tip’ enabled by default. With the new start button in the lower left taskbar, the user can choose not the Windows 8 start screen with Live Tiles to show, but an overview of all applications on the computer, displayed in the Modern UI style. Further, a user can choose to boot straight to the desktop, not the Modern UI of Windows 8. In addition, the behavior of the hot corners to be disabled. Furthermore, a large number of apps taken care of, the search function extensively and it is with Windows 8.1 easier to get content to stream to other pc’s with the OS.
Update, Friday 09.30: Microsoft Thursday also the iso-files released.