Windows 8.1 Update 1 Release Date: Microsoft May Delay Release By One Month

According to new reports from ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, it seems like we should expect Microsoft's Windows 8.1 Update 1 a little bit later than initially anticipated. While most were expecting to see the update in March, it looks like Windows 8.1 Update 1 won't be released until April 2014. TechCrunch notes that it'll ship as a part of “Patch Tuesday,” the second Tuesday of the month when Microsoft releases updates, which means that we could expect the update on April 8, about a month later than what earlier rumors suggested. This new timeframe makes a bit more sense. Not only is it in line with Patch Tuesday, but it's also around the time of Microsoft's annual Build conference. This means that the update comes after the annual developer conference, not before, which could be a hassle for developers. It makes it a little more difficult for developers who want to learn and understand the new code before the conference. Instead, they'll be learning about bits and pieces of the update in the annual conference in April, before the actual update comes out. We know a little bit about Update 1 through reports, rumors, and leaks. The general focus will be around making the operating system easier to use for the average desktop PC owners, those who use a mouse and keyboard. Microsoft's adding a new title bar for its “Metro” style apps that allow you close, minimize, and snap apps together so that they appear side-by-side. There may be a search button and shutdown menu built in right into the Start Screen and context menus that can be accessed by right-clicking on Live Tiles. TechCrunch writes writes that the Windows Store tile will be placed prominently, in an effort by Microsoft to increase use and purchases in the Store. While Foley didn't report on why the target ship date for Update 1 has been pushed back a month, she did say that the original date in March was “ambitious.” Original equipment manufactures are still likely to get the Windows 8.1 Update 1 update in early March so that it could be preloaded onto computers going on sale, ZDNet says