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| The update for Windows 8 restores some features to the operating system |
Microsoft is releasing the Windows 8.1 update for its flagship operating system on Thursday.
The download seeks to address some of the criticisms levelled at the original version of Windows 8.
In particular, the update restores the start button and allows a computer to boot up with a traditional desktop interface.
The launch comes at a critical time for Microsoft as it seeks a new boss, with PC sales experiencing a long decline.
Windows 8 sought to bridge the gap between touchscreen
devices, such as tablets and smartphones, and more traditional form
laptops and desktop machines. As such it had an interface built of tiles
that could be tapped or swiped to open applications.
However, many people found the tiled interface did not work
well for some of the things they were used to doing with a computer.
The changes in 8.1 include:
- start button - tapping once on this brings up the tiled interface and a long press opens up system controls
- desktop mode - lets people avoid the tiled interface entirely
- keyboard shortcuts - removes the need to toggle between different on-screen keyboards when typing numbers and letters
- gesture control - some applications, such as those for cooking, can now be paged through without touching a screen
- tile sizing - the blocks on the touchscreen interface can be in one of four sizes
- web browsing - Windows 8 machines will now display separate web pages side by side
A host of other changes, including better support for
multi-tasking and improved links to Microsoft's Xbox game console, are
also in the update.
Shrinking sales
Microsoft's touchscreen Surface tablet has not been a hit with consumers
Windows 8 was created to capitalise on the growing popularity
of tablets and other portable gadgets. Microsoft needs to get people
using its software on these machines because sales of desktop machines
are in sharp decline.
Global shipments of PCs hit a five-year low in early October,
according to figures from market research firm Gartner. Sales of PCs
had now fallen for six quarters in a row, it added. The downward trend
in sales statistics were confirmed by IDC, which added that the decline
would probably continue into 2014.
The shrinking sales are important for Microsoft because
traditionally the bulk of its revenue comes from people and companies
buying laptops and desktops and office software to run on them.
It is not clear that Microsoft is adjusting to the changes in
the types of gadgets that people use. In July, Microsoft was wrote off
$900m (£559m) following poor sales of its own-brand Surface touchscreen
devices.
At the same time, Microsoft has undergone a major
reorganisation and has bought phone maker Nokia. It is also launching a
new version of its Xbox games console and has begun searching for a new
chief executive.
Servers ready to dispense the update are scheduled to be
turned on at 07:00 New York time (12:00 BST). The update is free to
those already running Windows 8. Charges will apply if users upgrade to
8.1 from Windows 7. The update comes just over a year after the launch
of Windows 8.
BBC
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