While there is a great deal of excitement surrounding Windows 9, the next big release that’s due to leave the Microsoft stables is Update 1 for Windows 8.1. If a source speaking to Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet is correct then we could see the update in a little over six week — March 11 to be precise. This is in line with previous suggestion that the RTM version would be complete at some time in March.
As well as possibly pinning down a release date, Mary Jo Foley’s source also provides a few other interesting little morsels for us to devour. As was widely expected, it’s looking almost certain that Update 1 will be made available through Windows Update. But there’s also a tantalizing hint that there has been some under-the-hood work to help reduce system requirements.
This is an interesting revelation which is presumably aimed at making Windows 8.1 appealing even to people with older computers. In conjunction with the ability to pin modern apps to the taskbar there is obviously a drive to increase Windows 8.1’s mass appeal and to break down some of the perceived barriers to using it.
Although there is a gradual move towards creating a similar experience between Windows and Windows Phone, this is not something that will be noticeable in Update 1. It’s also looking unlikely that the mini-Start menu that has been talked about will be present.
Is this disappointing, or is this largely what you were expecting from Update 1?
Further reading: Microsoft, Windows 8.1
