Microsoft talk about the spring update to Windows 8.1

Plenty of details about the forthcoming Windows 8.1 update have leaked but today Microsoft have finally talked about the update. On the Windows Blog Joe Belfiore has detailed some of the changes coming to Windows 8.1. The spring update to Windows 8.1 will have UI improvements for mouse and keyboard users “make the UI more familiar and more convenient for users with mouse/keyboard”. It interesting to note that Joe Belfiore makes the point “Don’t worry, we still LOVE and BELIEVE IN touch” as most of the changes seem to be about appeasing desktop users and there doesn’t seem to be that many new features for touch users, personally I would like to see an option to remove the desktop completely for small touch devices. Also in the update is an enterprise mode for Internet Explorer with improved IE8 compatibly which is important for business users.

Microsoft also say the update will enable OEMs to build lower cost devices. In the post it doesn’t actually say how they are doing that, the rumors are that Windows will require less disk space and RAM which can help to reduce the costs. The post also says “More news still to come” which probably means more will be revealed at the BUILD conference.

Read the full post on the Windows Blog:

Over the next few months, we’ll continue to deliver innovation and progression with an update to Windows 8.1, coming this spring. We’re especially excited about several things I want to preview with you here.

We’ll enable our partners to build lower cost hardware for a great Windows experience at highly competitive price points.

We are making improvements to the user interface that will naturally bridge touch and desktop, especially for our mouse and keyboard users. We have a number of targeted UI improvements that keep our highly satisfying touch experience intact, but that make the UI more familiar and more convenient for users with mouse/keyboard. Don’t worry, we still LOVE and BELIEVE IN touch… but you’ll like how much more smooth and convenient these changes make mouse and keyboard use!

We are enhancing support for enterprise customers via a few tweaks, particularly including features that greatly improve IE8 compatibility in Internet Explorer 11, which is especially critical for web-based line of business applications. Additionally, we’re extending mobile device management capabilities and making deployment easier.