Microsoft officially launches Windows 8.1 Preview at its Build developer conference

Absrtact: June 27, Microsoft officially unveiled the Windows 8.1 Preview at its Build developer conference today. Science blog TechCrunch wrote that the version has made great improvements in usability and has counted some of the major new features, including Start button recovery,

June 27, Microsoft officially launched the Windows 8.1 Preview at its Build developer conference today. Technology blogger TechCrunch wrote that the version has improved usability and counted some of the major new features, including Start button recovery, boot to desktop, deep integration SkyDrive, smarter search tools, and more.

The following are the main contents of the article:

Microsoft resumes the Start button and allows users to go directly to desktop mode, indicating that the company has been listening to users. In many ways, 8.1--is even a preview version-that's what Windows 8 should look like.

Since the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft has provided more than 700 improvements. But Windows 8.1 does not just represent the fruits of these efforts. It's not just a service pack, but it actually contains a lot of outstanding features that make the system much better than the previous version.

Start button and boot to desktop

For many users, the Start button is clearly the focus. But to point out that, although the button is back, the traditional Start menu hasn't been restored so quickly. By default, clicking the Start button will go to the previous Start menu. However, fortunately Microsoft added a new "application" screen, the user clicks the Start button will enter the screen, it is equivalent to replace the Start menu.

The apps screen just shows all the apps, and the user is not disturbed by other embellishment features such as dynamic tiles. On top, you can arrange By application name, most commonly used application and newest application. You can also go to the Apply screen by sliding up the start screen.

Windows 8.1 also now supports booting directly into desktop mode. Plus the "Apply" screen, you can use Windows 8.1 to completely bypass the Start menu.

At the start screen, Microsoft has added several new features to improve usability. Now it's much easier to rearrange applications, and the magnets can be larger or smaller. You can also set the animation background for the Start menu, or set the background for the desktop and the Start screen.

Search

Another major feature of Windows 8.1 is the new search tool. Its built-in search tool now supports search beyond files and settings. It is now a universal search tool that can be used to search Web pages (via Bing), hard drives, SkyDrive, content in files, and internal content to support this feature. For example, it will show you the search results from the new Xbox Music service and support to play songs directly in the search results. After the search, you can also immediately find links to Wikipedia entries, see pictures, and related surrounding attractions, recent events, artists ' songs, records and other information.

Display 4 Windows Store applications

Another major change in Windows 8.1 is that you can resize their windows whenever you use the two Windows Store (Windows Store) application. Before, users can only choose to put one application to the sidebar, or another application to fill the screen. Now, Windows Store applications can occupy all of your screens, and if the resolution is high enough, you can see up to four apps at the same time on a single screen.

Deep Integration SkyDrive

For Windows 8.1来, SkyDrive is the cloud. This new version of the system deeply integrates the SkyDrive, so users do not need to open the application in addition to sync files with SkyDrive. PC settings are mostly stored on SkyDrive, so when you log on to a new PC, you feel comfortable with everything.

Note that not every file is automatically synchronized to all devices. Most files are synchronized only after you have opened them on a device.

SkyDrive applications in Windows 8.1 also add basic image editing features, such as filters and smart color enhancements.

New Settings menu

In previous versions, when you wanted to change specific settings on your PC, you were confused about what you could do with a modern user interface, and what settings on your desktop would activate the Windows 7 Settings window. In Windows 8.1, Microsoft has finally integrated all the settings you need into the modern user interface mode settings menu. On top, you can make a variety of settings, from keyboard and Bluetooth settings, to a multiple-screen desktop and with SkyDrive and PC Sync settings.

Windows store focuses on application discovery

Microsoft has also launched a new Windows store in Windows 8.1, and now the apps you buy at the store can be automatically updated to a newer version. The new store also no longer emphasizes application categories, but emphasizes application discovery and recommendation. But when you open the store, the first thing you'll see is Microsoft's edited selection, which shows some of the most interesting new apps.

But scrolling to the right, you'll start to see personalized referrals (based on Bing), popular apps and new products, plus a list of free apps and paid apps. Slide the screen down (or right-click) and you can go to the Application category page.

With the introduction of Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows stores will enter 70 new markets, bringing the total market to 191. Microsoft has also canceled restrictions on up to 5 devices for a particular application, and is now using its fraud detection algorithm to detect crooks.

Other updates

There are many other new features in the Windows 8.1 preview, such as a new Xbox music experience that focuses on a musical collection, a Pandora broadcast service, new applications for cooking and fitness, and so on. Internet Explorer 11 doesn't have a major upgrade, but now you can open countless tabs on it, and bookmarks will be synchronized across all of your Windows devices. Mailbox applications now support the automatic filtering of mailing lists, the Quick Search feature for collecting messages, and the Outlook.com user's usual one-click regular cleanup function.

Another cool feature of Windows 8.1 is the "read List", which supports a collection of apps or almost everything in the browser to make it easier for users to read later.

The lock screen can now use personalized photo frame as the background, you can also directly in the lock screen to answer the phone, without landing.