Win81 Update Coming April 8

[CRussel]

Windows Update/Microsoft Update (WU/MU) will begin pushing down a Windows 8.1 Update that includes additional features for keyboard and mouse users starting April 8th. The update will go to all Windows 8.1 users, and will be the minimum basis for updates moving forward.

This update, which is already available on MSDN Subscriber Downloads, adds relatively minor features, but ones that do improve the user experience for keyboard and mouse users. Some that I've noticed already:

• The Taskbar is visible on the Start (Tiles) page.
• Metro apps can be put on the taskbar. (And the Store app is put there by default)
• There's an X button on Metro/ModernUI apps to close it!!
• When you go to the Start page, you can see how many apps have been installed recently, and they're highlighted in the Apps page.
• You can shutdown or log out without having to use the Charms menu.
• There's a Search icon on the Start page.

I'm sure there are others that I haven't noticed yet, but all of these are useful little additions.

[HarryT]

Sound like useful enhancements - thanks!

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Windows Update/Microsoft Update (WU/MU) will begin pushing down a Windows 8.1 Update that includes additional features for keyboard and mouse users starting April 8th. The update will go to all Windows 8.1 users, and will be the minimum basis for updates moving forward.

This update, which is already available on MSDN Subscriber Downloads, adds relatively minor features, but ones that do improve the user experience for keyboard and mouse users. Some that I've noticed already:

• The Taskbar is visible on the Start (Tiles) page.
• Metro apps can be put on the taskbar. (And the Store app is put there by default)
• There's an X button on Metro/ModernUI apps to close it!!
• When you go to the Start page, you can see how many apps have been installed recently, and they're highlighted in the Apps page.
• You can shutdown or log out without having to use the Charms menu.
• There's a Search icon on the Start page.

I'm sure there are others that I haven't noticed yet, but all of these are useful little additions.

Just made the update on 2 of my systems.
I don't see all the updates you mention, though:
[*]The Taskbar is visible on the Start (Tiles) page.
I don't find it?
[*]Metro apps can be put on the taskbar. (And the Store app is put there by default)
Okay.
[*]There's an X button on Metro/ModernUI apps to close it!!
In which Metro app, for example? I don't see it on the Microsoft ones (weather, news, ...) for example.
EDIT: Ah, I see. The "x" only is visible when moving to the upper corner via your mouse.
[*]When you go to the Start page, you can see how many apps have been installed recently, and they're highlighted in the Apps page.
Not tested yet.
[*]You can shutdown or log out without having to use the Charms menu.
Okay.
[*]There's a Search icon on the Start page.
Okay.

[CRussel]

Not sure why you're not seeing the taskbar on the main Tiles page. It's certainly here on mine. Ah, but only when you enter the tiles menu from the desktop. Not when you enter it from a Metro/ModernUI app. Makes sense, I guess.

[Xanthe]

I'll probably download it in the next few days; the servers are probably overloaded now.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Xanthe

I'll probably download it in the next few days; the servers are probably overloaded now.

It was about 800MB on my Surface Pro 2 and about 450MB on Venue 8 Pro. No biggy, downloaded both within less than 30 minutes.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Not sure why you're not seeing the taskbar on the main Tiles page. It's certainly here on mine. Ah, but only when you enter the tiles menu from the desktop. Not when you enter it from a Metro/ModernUI app. Makes sense, I guess.

I see it now. Same as with the "x" for closing the app: It only works with a mouse, not with the stylus. Should have thought of that, since the update was mainly aiming for users of mouse and keyboard. Still a bit strange though, for tablets...
Frankly, I don't see the benefit of this feature. The task bar disappears, it doesn't remain permanently or reappears (for example when moving the mouse to the bezel).

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

I see it now. Same as with the "x" for closing the app: It only works with a mouse, not with the stylus. Should have thought of that, since the update was mainly aiming for users of mouse and keyboard. Still a bit strange though, for tablets...
Frankly, I don't see the benefit of this feature. The task bar disappears, it doesn't remain permanently or reappears (for example when moving the mouse to the bezel).

Instant access to programs I'm currently running (including Metro apps, I might add), and those programs I've added permanently to the taskbar. Big deal for me. Makes me more willing to use a metro app.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Not sure why you're not seeing the taskbar on the main Tiles page. It's certainly here on mine. Ah, but only when you enter the tiles menu from the desktop. Not when you enter it from a Metro/ModernUI app. Makes sense, I guess.

Mine comes and goes. Sometimes I can make it appear and sometimes I can't. Haven't yet been able to determine exactly what triggers it.

Dale

[howyoudoin]

Win81?

Woah, I seem to have missed 73 versions.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

Win81?

Woah, I seem to have missed 73 versions.

"Win81" is an entirely normal way of referring to Windows 8.1.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Mine comes and goes. Sometimes I can make it appear and sometimes I can't. Haven't yet been able to determine exactly what triggers it.

Dale

Mine only appears once, directly when switching from the desktop to the Metro view. The only use I see for that, would be switching back immediately to one of the desktop apps I've added to the taskbar. But as soon as I do anything else in Metro, the taskbar is gone and never returns.
I'd see the benefit, if it would remain permanently. Then you more conveniently could see all the active apps, Metro and desktop alike. But since it immediately disappears after the very first single action, I find it a bit strange.

In general, I've got mixed feelings about the update.
I've never had any problems with the "separation" of desktop and Metro. Quite the contrary. For me it was kind of "Metro = gadget", "desktop = business/professional".
Bringing both worlds together to me seems like an effort to match the toys (iPad, Android) to which Windows 8 never should compete in the first place.

Actually, I even think they should have hidden the desktop more deeply into the system.
The Metro UI (with the exception of the sheer number of apps which is way more massive on iOS or Android) is perfectly fine as a touch friendly GUI.
The desktop, at least to me, is kind of a "separate island". Some may not even need it at all and never should be confronted with it.

[hapmas77]

The taskbar will be shown in metro (modern) style when you move your mouse cursor to the bottom of the screen. Only if you use mouse, and not stylus or touch.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by hapmas77

The taskbar will be shown in metro (modern) style when you move your mouse cursor to the bottom of the screen. Only if you use mouse, and not stylus or touch.

Doesn't work for me.
The taskbar appears once, when switching from the desktop to Metro.
After a single action, the taskbar is gone and I can't make it appear again.

[robko]

Something that had me freaked with the update: I have the taskbar set to autohide and when I upgraded I couldn't get it to come back up on the desktop with a tap at the bottom of the screen, which made autohide unusable. I discovered by accident that if you turn OFF the "Show Windows Store Apps in taskbar" option in the taskbar properties it works properly again. Not sure why this is, but my taskbar autohide is working properly so I'll live with is. This is on an Acer Iconia tablet.