Update 1 for Windows 8.1 Is Here, Unofficially

Microsoft’s slip lets everyone grab Windows 8.1 update 1.

If you are too impatient to wait till April to download the next major update to Microsoft’s desktop operation system, there is a great chance you can get the unofficial leaked release of Microsoft’s latest iteration of OS. However, you may not want to do it just yet. Microsoft released to manufacturing [RTM] next build of Windows 8.1 Update 1, which immediately made waves of public acknowledgment and reached cloud storage services after Microsoft itself mistakenly released the pack to the public.

The update wasn’t supposed to reach the general public until 8 April, but the leaked build is meant for the manufacturers to test and see whether their hardware is good and ready to go with the latest operation system update, which is especially important for PC manufacturers that want to ship their next devices with the latest version of Windows installed.

The daring folks will not have to wait until April because RTM build of Update 1 is available for download, if you know where to look.

Can the major leak be intentional?

This one resembles the episode from Tron: Legacy, where Sam Flynn intentionally leaked the new operation system to the general public in the act of defiance to the company’s management. What was the case with Microsoft? Apparently, it could have been plain goof. In the first place, the company was too enthusiastic to get Update 1 to their own employees, using the public servers to post the build under an unrecognizable name. Apparently, non-employees were able to access and download the files using quite simple software tweak, and the next thing we know is those files get uploaded to cloud storage lockers and get distributed all over the world.

However, just because the files are available online doesn’t mean you should download and apply the updates. As noted in Mashable, the RTM build is missing a lot of “hardware specific drivers” and links to services that need update, which makes Update 1 quite a dubious prospect, at least for now.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 is rumored to bring improvements to a modern user interface, including the ability to boot into the desktop, the comeback of the start screen and a familiar taskbar. Overall, the new update is supposed to unify the new and old user interfaces.

Tweaks

Update 1 adds the ability to pin Metro/Modern apps to the taskbar, and display the taskbar while in Modern. The ability to shut down your PC from the Start screen has been added, too, as well as the search button on the start screen.

Apparently, Microsoft added a link to the classic control panel in the PC settings app, which is supposed to be a modern rendition of the classic control panel.

Context menus will appear when you right-click on the app tile, which will allow you to rotate and resize them. A slight tweak to the LIST showcases all programs by default. Internet Explorer 11 receives 11.0 .3 version with a hidden “enterprise mode.”

Feedback

Here’s what the adventurous users report about the Update 1. Clearly, Update 1 represents an evolutionary step for Windows 8 rather than a revamp. The Redmond-based company obviously believes Windows 8 user interface and user experience is a step forward, and the user complaints will die out sooner or later, and users will start appreciating the Modern/Metro UI Microsoft pushes forward so desperately.

Unfortunately, this is not how the users feel. For many, it would have been great if Microsoft combined its Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 experience with Windows 7, and produced something that would resemble a non-existent Windows 7.5 or an enhanced version of Windows 7. Clearly, this is not going to happen because Microsoft thinks otherwise.

For those of you who have enjoyed Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, for those of you who have spent some significant time adjusting your workflow to the new system, Update 1 will make you spend more time getting used to the user interface and adapt your workflow again, but you’re still going to enjoy the platform. On the other hand, if you found Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 to be a highly nonproductive and time-consuming black hole that made you waste your time getting used to the touch-based user interface on the desktop or notebook system – Update 1 does nothing to end your suffering.

It is strange why Microsoft treats its users like this, making people go the extra mile and take that learning curve to adapt their productivity to the changed interface, and Microsoft still keeps them stranded.

Highly unproductive strategies when Microsoft lets the touch interface lead the system instead of the keyboard and mouse interface. Microsoft is treading on the shaky grounds, pushing the features that the user community seems to be opposed to, given the platform overall perception and negative background. We are still waiting for Windows 9, which is supposed to be rolled out in a year from now, and, hopefully, Microsoft will take into account the user community feedback.

If you find the download link, we must warn you – Microsoft has closed the tap, and the direct download is no longer available. Resort to downloads from mirrors only if you are 100% certain of the source's legitimacy. Do not even start unless you are sure you know what you are doing, otherwise you can brick your computer. In addition, this is not the final update and it is meant to be buggy, so we strongly recommend you wait until April and receive an official release. Stay tuned to D3k for more information about Windows updates.