Microsoft Shows Off Windows 8.1, Pledges More Apps & Touch PCs Discussion

At its Build conference, Microsoft demo'd new features in Windows 8.1, also promising more third-party apps and a plethora of touch-enabled devices.

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So, basically the same problems as the original Windows 8 (on desktops)?

 

Some "problems" (problem being subjective here in my opinion) are still present, there are some nice options now such as booting straight to desktop, setting the app list as the default start button action and putting the desktop apps as the first ones to appear in the app list instead of the metro apps. You still get taken away from the desktop completely, but if you set the wallpaper to be the same as the one on the desktop it's less jarring. Search also no longer takes you away from the desktop which also removes a jarring transition between screens.

You can also finally disable the top hot corners which will help for multi monitor support among other things and a right click on the start button will give you an option to shut down. No more charms-> settings -> power -> shutdown nonsense.

Aero still isn't back (disappointed, but that's cosmetic, not usability related)

If you hated the lack of a start menu, you won't like 8.1, but it still brings some nice improvements. Most of those are in the modern UI.