Microsoft has released the long-awaited Windows 8.1 update as a free download from the Store for those who are already using Windows 8 with a regular license. Windows 8.1 replaces and installs on Windows 8 so there are no contraindications or difficulties.
This new version of Windows, which meets some of the complaints made by users who have used Windows 8, is a radically different operating system that attempts to bridge the gap between tablet and PC.
Windows 8.1 is still a mix between the two modes, the classic desktop one to use with mouse and keyboard and the one with a tiled screen optimized for touchscreen tablets.
The update adds new gesture-compatible shortcuts for touch-based applications and also a renewed confidence and importance to the desktop mode that had been relegated to the margins of Windows 8.
The Windows 8.1 update is free for all current owners of Windows 8 and can be downloaded and installed from now on by going to the Windows App Store from the Start screen (not therefore in Windows Update).
READ ALSO: Download Windows 8.1 in Italian from Microsoft
The installation is very substantial so the whole procedure can last up to 2 hours.
Of course, from now on all the computers for sale will have the Windows 8.1 operating system already installed (check that it is updated) and also on the Microsoft purchase page you can buy Windows 8.1 and no longer Windows 8.
The main features of Windows 8.1 range from graphical changes to completely new features
1) Return of the Start button in desktop mode, different from the traditional one of Windows XP and Windows 7, but still useful and appreciated.
In Windows 7, a click on the Start button takes you to the list of important programs and folders, now, in Windows 8, the concept is similar and with a click you access the program list, now presented in a grid of cards.
By right-clicking on the Start button, you will find the more traditional options, to restart or shut down the computer, access things, such as programs, system settings and Device Manager, together with the Task Manager, Panel access the Control Panel control, to File Explorer, to Search, and to the Run menu.
This menu is also accessible with a long press on touch screen computers.
2) Starting the computer directly in desktop mode.
Many users of Windows 8 from PC have completely ignored the Start screen and every time, when turning on the computer, you had to click on the desktop card to start.
Finally now, in the settings, you can choose to start directly from the desktop.
To do this, click on the desktop tile, right-click anywhere on the Windows 8.1 taskbar, select Properties, go to the navigation tab, select the " Go to desktop .... when I log in " box found under the startup screen options.
3) Organize the Start screen
Before you could only change the size of the cards in Windows 8: large or small.
Now, however, pressing the right mouse button or long touching on a card opens a wider menu, to remove it, to uninstall the program, resize the card in more ways, disable live updates. Windows 8.1 also offers users the ability to organize applications into various groups. Not every application is displayed on the Start screen, a complete list of installed applications is found by clicking on the down arrow on the left side of the screen, or, in tablets or touch screens, by dragging your finger downwards. With the arrow up or by swiping your finger up, you return to the home screen.
4) Default Applications
Internet Explorer has received many improvements with its most recent update, but not everyone wants to use it.
Windows 8.1 now allows you to set default applications for things like the web browser, email client, music player, video player, photo viewer, calendar and map. This can be done by going from the Charms menu which is accessed by clicking in the right corner of the screen or by pressing the Windows-C keys on the keyboard. Then go to Settings and select Change PC options, click Search & Apps and choose the default ones.
The Alarms application has an alarm clock, a stopwatch and a timer. You can set multiple different alarms for each day of the week as you would a cellphone.
The Calculator is available in normal mode and as a scientific calculator.
There are also a sound recorder, Scan to check scanners connected to the computer and other informative apps such as Windows Reading List (a kind of "Read later" for news) and one for searching recipes and drinks.
The applications downloaded and installed from the Store in Windows 8.1 are not automatically added to the Start screen but are listed in the list of all apps with the wording " New " under the name (see point 2)
5) Privacy controls for applications
Windows 8.1 has many controls to configure which data and devices are used by the Windows Store applications.
For example, you can allow or block access to your name, photo and account information.
All these settings can be changed from the Privacy section in the PC Settings.
In another article all the options and configurations of the PC settings in Windows 8.1 .
6) Hot Corners
Microsoft introduced the Hot Corners with the release of Windows 8 where each corner of the screen has a different function: the Charms menu at the bottom and top right, the Start is at the bottom left, while the applications are listed at the top right running.
These Hot Corners could not be disabled. In Windows 8.1 you can disable these angles directly in the operating system settings. Go to Settings from the Charms Menu (the one on the right), select the " Change PC settings " option, then on PC and devices and select Corners and Borders . If you only work in desktop mode, you can disable interactive corners.
7) Application Updates
In Windows 8.1 there is the possibility to update applications automatically and this feature is activated by default.
If you want to deactivate it, enter the Store, then on the Charms menu> Settings> updates.
8) Backgrounds and graphics
Microsoft has added more customization options in Windows 8.1 where you can now set the same wallpaper for both the desktop and the Start screen. From the Charms menu, click Settings and select the Customize option to change the background and colors. Another interesting feature is the possibility of being able to create a slideshow of photos that scroll on the lock screen of the computer. This can be done by going to the Charms menu, selecting Settings > " Change PC settings ". Then, open PC and devices and press the switch to activate the slideshow presentation mode.
In Windows 81, always in the properties menu of the taskbar you can activate the option to use the same background on the Start screen.
9) Improved search
Microsoft hadn't included a true universal search tool in Windows 8. In Windows 8.1 you can finally search for anything: applications, information hidden within Microsoft Word documents, content inside OneDrive, images, videos and other files. Depending on what you search for, the results will be different and, if you search for things like "Navigaweb", Bing's search results will also appear.
The results may therefore look different depending on what you are looking for and is smarter than before. For example, looking for the name of a city will open the map with all the information on the place.
10) Multitasking
Having two applications open simultaneously was already possible in Windows 8.
With Windows 8.1 you can combine two applications by dividing the screen into equal parts, so that you can make both of them usable. You can have up to four applications open in a single screen, with the possibility of changing the size of the applications, if you focus the space more on one, keeping the other smaller ones.
11) Fully web-based Family Safety
Family Safety has been completely redone in Windows 8.1 and transformed into an online service.
The features of previous versions of Windows 8 are still available, with some improvements.
With Family Safety it is possible to control the use of the PC for children and children and prevent them from visiting inappropriate sites.
From the Family Safety website, you can manage everything without having to be at home in front of your computer, wherever we are.
To configure Family Safety, just go to PC Settings, Accounts and Other Accounts and create a new one.
On the computer user creation page, at the bottom choose the child account or change one of the accounts by setting it as Child .
12) File History, the new backup
In the PC settings -> Update and restore of Windows 8.1 you can activate the automatic backup function of the files on another disk.
This function is vital to never lose a data even in the event of a malfunction or virus.
13) Access assigned in Windows
For a user account you can set the assigned access and allow it to use the locked PC on a single program which can be the browser to surf the internet.
14) Start Menu (Win-X)
In Windows 8 there is a secret menu that can be called up only by pressing the right mouse button on the lower left corner or by pressing the Windows-X keys; definitely hidden for less experienced users). Now, however, this menu also appears by right-clicking on the Start button. Among the various commands there is also the one to turn off and restart the computer that was previously hidden and difficult to find.
15) Collections and new Explorer
In Windows 8.1 the collections in Windows Explorer disappear to quickly find Music, Documents and Images (they had been introduced by Windows 7 and confirmed in Windows 8). In reality, however, they are only hidden by default. To view them, press the right mouse button on the side area of Windows Explorer (opening any folder) and select Show Collections from the context menu. In Windows Explorer you can then open My PC to see the main discs and folders Documents, Music, Photos, videos etc. Then there is a new folder from Work where to save work documents and keep them separate from personal ones.
16) Internet Explorer 11 improves with new features .
You can always keep the address bar and tabs visible which instead disappeared in Internet Explorer 10. Internet Explorer 11, when run on the Start screen as an application, hides the address bar and the open tabs, which is good if you use a small screen or a Tablet. However, if you have a larger screen, you can keep the address bar and the tab bar visible.
Open IE11 on the Start screen, Press Windows C to open the Charms Bar, select Settings> Options and then activate the Always show address bar and tabs .
17) Multitasking and possibility to open multiple applications together on the screen .
In Windows 8, you can keep a maximum of two applications open by moving one to one side of the screen. This also allows you to work with desktop and Start interface together but nothing more. In Windows 8.1 Preview this limitation has been eliminated, and it is also possible to open multiple applications on other monitors connected to the computer. Depending on the screen resolution, different apps can be opened and resized. The higher the resolution, the more applications and size variations can be achieved. For example, on a 1920 × 1080 resolution screen, you can open up to three apps. Multitasking in Windows 8.1 means that if you have two or more applications open side by side, if you open another app it appears above the others in a floating way ready to take the place of one of the others (this remains a challenge for inexperienced users anyway).
READ ALSO: 8 Options to change immediately in Windows 8.1
