Today is going to be a big day as Microsoft launches its second update patch for Windows 8.1, along with its security improvements and fixes. The new set of features is actually a part of the bigger strategy of Microsoft bringing monthly improvements to the present operating system, which helps the company do away with the idea of service packs, as well as from bigger releases as it was the case of Update 1.
However, the August update for Windows 8.1 won’t bring much changes contrary to what many believed. Although it does pack some of the following improvements to the operating system.
• Precision touchpad improvements – three end-user settings have been included: Leave touch pad on when a mouse is connected; allow right-clicks on the touchpad; double-tap and drag.
• Miracast Receive – reveals a set of Wi-Fi direct APIs for Independent Hardware Vendor (IHV) drivers or OEM drivers to develop Windows 32-bit applications that run on all supported x86-based or x64-based versions of Windows 8.1, enabling the computer as a Miracast receiver.
• Minimizing login prompts for SharePoint Online – reduces the number of prompts with collective use in accessing SharePoint Online sites. If you select the “Keep me signed in” check box when you log on for the first time, users will not see prompts fin the succeeding logins.
Microsoft hinted the consumers earlier this year that a future Windows 8.1 update, most likely referring to the August Update, would also bring back the Stat menu in modern Windows. However, new reports point out that the company has actually decided to delay this return for Windows 9.
Windows 8.1 August Update will be available via Windows Update. Even though Microsoft recommends everyone to get the update to be sure that they’re benefitting from the latest improvements, Windows 8.1 users can still decide whether they want to install it or not.
On the other hand, more improvements for Windows 8.1 should follow soon, as the company continues working on new updates that are expected to be released as part of future Patch Tuesday rollouts.
