Windows 8.1 Update

Not to be confused with updating from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 .. Do a Bing on Windows 8.1 Update and you'll see what I mean!

Now available on MSDN, dated 3rd April 2014. It comes in three downloads.

  • RT: mu_windows_8.1_rt_update_arm_4046909
  • X86: mu_windows_8.1_windows_embedded_8.1industry_update_x86_4046911
  • X64: mu_windows_8.1_windows_server_2012r2_windows_embedded_8.1industry_update_x64_4046913

With the third one it’s not immediately obvious from its name that it’s the one to use for x64 but that is the one I used.

The first update is quite slow (the progress bar doesn’t seem to move until late):

It comes as zip with 6 updates.

Recommended Install Order

  1. KB2919442  --> Already done
  2. KB2919355
  3. KB2932046
  4. KB2937592
  5. KB2938439
  6. KB2949621-V2

The first was already installed on both of my system. Painfully I had to do a restart after each feature update.

It might be simpler to wait to get it via Windows Update. There is also a suggestion to get it via Windows Store.

My x64 and RT (Surface 2)  installs worked OK, but the changes are almost nonexistent for the Surface….There is a search button top right.

Feature Summary: One Small Step for Touch Users.. one Giant Leap for Desktop Users.

The changes are quite subtle and mainly for keyboard-mouse Window users.

  • These features are configurable. They can be turned off/on.
  • There is a Power and Search icons (buttons) top right of the tile view.
  • Modern (Metro) style apps start with Title screen at top which can be used to minimize or close the app. It goes away after awhile but with a mouse in that region movement it comes back
  • The Charms etc are still activated my mouse movement on edge then into a corner. But there is now a delay to avoid confusion.
    • There is generally a delay with cursor gestures. It know that it's a mouse not touch.
  • There is an up button (bottom left) on the tile screen to show all apps.
  • The task Bar has returned on the tiles screen.  Move the mouse well below the tile screen, and hold for a moment and up it pops!.
    • You can also pin "Modern Apps" to the Task Bar.
  • When you right-click on a tile you now get a mouse friendly menu rather than a touch centered one.
  • There is no old style Start Menu though
    • I make great use of Window-X to get that menu.
      • It would be useful if it was customizable though.

Open-mouthed smile Enjoy

I took this summary from:

GIZDMO (Click here)