Windows 8.1 Update
The recently released Windows 8.1 Update is Microsoft’s attempt at adjusting Windows 8.0 to make it more desktop friendly. In this release there is an attempt to better meld the touch-oriented features with that of the traditional Windows desktop used in Windows version 7. Just some of the changes are:
- For non-touch devices, the boot default is into the desktop mode instead of into the Metro touch user interface.
- This update allows you to change the behavior of Windows Store apps to make the work more like desktop apps.
- Apps can now be pinned to the Windows Taskbar.
- Like desktop apps, Windows Store apps now have two buttons that appear on the upper right corner – an "X" for closing the app and a "- "for minimizing it.
- There’s now a power button on the Windows Start screen. so that the user can shutdown the machine from that screen.
- There is a Control Panel link on the bottom of the main setting screen.
- Opening images on non-touch, now defaults to the desktop application version not the Metro UI.
While this is not currently ideal for most Windows XP and Windows 7 users, some of the changes make the operating system more user friendly for desktop users than the initial Windows 8 application.
If you would like more information on upgrading your system to Windows 8.1, please contact CCS Retail Systems Sales Department.
– John