Windows 8.1 is an updated version of Windows 8 and Windows RT. First unveiled and released as a public beta in June 2013, 8.1 wasreleased to manufacturing on August 27, 2013, and was released generally in Windows Store on October 17, 2013 as a free update for Windows 8 users, and through new retail copies.
Released as part of a shift by Microsoft towards regular, yearly updates for its platforms and services, Windows 8.1 was primarily intended to address complaints which Windows 8 faced from users and reviewers on launch. Visible enhancements includes an upgraded Start screen, additional snap views, additional bundled apps, tighter SkyDrive integration, a Bing-powered unified search system, restoration of a visible Start button on Taskbar and the ability to start on desktop on startup. Windows 8.1 also added support for emerging technologies such as 3D printing, Wi-Fi Direct, and improved support for handling high resolution displays.
Windows 8.1 received relatively positive reception, with critics praising the expanded functionality available to apps in comparison to 8, its SkyDrive integration, along with its user interface tweaks and the addition of expanded tutorials for operating the Windows 8 interface. However, Windows 8.1 was still criticized for still being trickier to use on traditional desktop or laptop computers than on touchscreen-based devices, and for not fixing all of the faults originally experienced by 8.
