What is new in Windows 8 - Update 1 called Windows 8.1?

Windows 8.1 – Update 1 – What’s New?

So, what is really new in Windows 8.1, update 1? 

The very first thing that you are going to notice after the update is, the new Power and Search buttons, right on your Start Screen. Now, you can quickly and easily Shut Down, Restart and put your computer on Sleep, right from your Start screen. 

Now, you can also search for your favorite programs and documents, right from your Start screen.

Prior to this update, you were no longer able to see Window Store app in the Taskbar, even if they were running in the background. The next improvement that you are going to notice is, now you will see both the Desktop Apps and Apps from the Windows Store in your Taskbar, when they are running. 

You can also pin any app easily to the Taskbar, so you can quickly open or switch between applications from the desktop.

Minimize and Close buttons are now more available with your mouse. If you have used Windows 8.1 before, then you may have notice that minimize and close buttons were no longer available to many of Windows Store apps. With the new updates, move you mouse pointer to top of the screen to see the Close and Minimize buttons in any application.

If you have not updated your Windows 8.1 yet, then you will notice that, right-clicking on a Start screen tile brings few options in the bottom area of the screen. With the new update, when you right-click on a tile, you will see a context menu right on the tile, that shows what you can do with tile and you need to give some extra moves to your mouse.

You may have notice the down arrow on the Start screen that takes you to the App view section. Now, this arrow display a message about newly installed applications, so you can remember what apps you have recently installed.

The newly installed application will have a different background color, so you can identify them easily.

Now, you can also select multiple tiles at once from you start screen, and app view section. Just hold the control key from your keyboard, and select the multiple tiles you want. You can also change the properties of multiple tiles at once, or you can drag and drop them together to the new location on your start screen.

Another improvement that you will see in this update is, while listening to music, or watching your favorite movie, you can instantly pause or play your media file right from the thumbnail preview. Just hover your mouse over the Taskbar button, and you can now pause, play, or skip, without needing to open the application again, and search through library.

The Bing search now also include the suggestion from windows app store as well, and you can buy or install the new apps, right from your search results.