There was a great deal of excitement in the build up to the launch of Windows 8.1 Update, and the monster patch has now been available for almost ten days. Assuming you jumped on the download straight away — and who didn’t?! — you’ve now had over a week to get to grips with the very latest version of Windows. So… what do you make of it? Is it everything you hoped it would be?
I have found the change in the way modern apps work to be interesting. While I tend to stick to desktop mode and work primarily with legacy apps, I do have occasion to venture into the modern world from time to time. The new title bar and improved access to the taskbar has certainly made my life easier, making light work of switching between modes.
Call me an old stick-in-the-mud, but the addition of the power button to the Start screen is something that I have welcomed with open arms. Despite having used Windows 8.x since long before launch, the awkwardness of closing down via the Charms bar, and later via right clicking the Start button have felt strange. The new power button makes more sense to me.
I think that’s what I have really learned from the installation of Update. In many ways there are no major changes, but it’s something that just makes sense. Little tweaks, tiny nips and tucks here and there, all add up, and they have helped to make Windows 8.1 Update feel far more complete.
So, it’s over to you. Was Update a big improvement for you? Which changes and additions have you appreciated the most? Is there anything else you would still like to see done to make the operating system work for you?
