Microsoft launches Windows 8.1

The presentation of Windows 8.1 has not just begun and the first analyzes have already appeared with all the new features of the system, which can now be downloaded. In addition to the return of the start button and the ability to launch directly to the desktop, Microsoft has prepared some new features.

We had already seen most of them in some leaks, although Microsoft has reserved some surprises for this presentation. Let's see what Windows 8.1 has to offer.

Modern UI interface, boot to desktop and start button

The start button and boot to desktop are the most required features of Windows 8.1. There are not many changes with respect to what was already explained to us at the time: the start button remains in the lower left corner and takes us to the Metro start screen (no traditional menu).

Yes, there is a minimenu when we right-click on the icon. It's similar to what now appears in Windows 8 when you click the button in the same corner, except it includes a few more settings and shortcuts for shutting down and restarting your computer.

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The home screen also changes: now we have two new tile sizes, one bigger and one smaller, and the possibility to put custom or animated backgrounds. Finally, we have a Custom mode>"

Multitasking and Modern UI App Improvements

As promised by Microsoft, Windows 8.1 makes multitasking much better. We can put up to four Modern UI applications on the same screen by choosing the size, if our resolution allows it: we will have to have 500px on average per application.

Windows 8.1 will also allow you to keep Modern UI apps across multiple screens, one of the biggest drawbacks for those of us who wanted more workspace.

"The application store, Windows Store, also undergoes a good renovation. The category view is no longer the first screen: now we will see editorial and personalized recommendations for us, along with the lists of the most downloaded. And one last detail: application updates will be silent and automatic."

SkyDrive and cloud integration

Microsoft's cloud storage service, SkyDrive, takes an even bigger place in Windows 8.1. First things first: you won't need a separate app to use it .

SkyDrive will save even more settings to synchronize them between different machines, and we will be able to upload the photos we take automatically. It will also allow saving all the files that we manage to SkyDrive by default, instead of to the Documents folder.

And the latest change to SkyDrive is in the way files are displayed and downloaded. Instead of downloading everything at once and taking up too much space, the files will only be downloaded to our computer when we use them for the first time .

Everything will be transparent to the user: we will simply see all the available files and Windows will be in charge of downloading them or not if necessary. On devices with low storage, such as tablets, this is a really useful change.

Enhanced Search

Windows 8.1 improves its search service, which becomes more than just a file and settings browser. Results will include files on SkyDrive, on your hard drive, results on the web, and even results from apps that have integrated with the system (for example, songs on Xbox Music).

It remains to be seen, though, if it continues to be as easy to use as before. Typing directly from the home screen to an app is a joy, and I prefer that to seeing more results from Wikipedia or other apps.

Support for screens with different resolutions

Windows 8.1 fixes a small issue with screen resolutions. Until now, all screens shared the same scale, which was awkward if each one had a different density. With Windows 8.1, this setting can be individually customized.

Also, in many cases you won't even need to touch anything, as the system will configure the scaling for each monitor automatically. Of course, apparently it is not yet fully implemented in the Preview.