First Windows 8.1 Update 1 Build Leaked, Boots To Desktop By Default

[javajolt]

The buzz among the bees, the word on the street is that Windows 8.1 Update 1 has finally leaked. Finally, in the sense that those with the power to leak the ISOs promised this sometimes after January 14, after Microsoft sent out the test version to more partners.

Anyway, since this refresh of Windows 8.1 is reportedly on track for a March release, the software titan is now smack in the middle of the testing phase.

Hence various test builds are reaching the web, and in the words of WZOR, a new version has leaked moments ago. Strings are attached — you will need to search for build string Windows 8.1 Update 1 Build 9600.16606 if you want to download this early flavor.

And if you do you will find that the boot to desktop option is now configured on by default.

Users that install this new version of the operating system will now skip Metro entirely once they start their PCs. And if they want to access the Start Screen, they will be required to click the Start Button.

A trivial change that alludes to something big at play, perhaps?

We will know for sure once this version makes its debut sometimes in March. In the meantime, expect a volley of screenshots to hit the web soon, now that the leaked copies are making their way up.

Of course, the interest for a leaked copy of the update is growing, but WZOR claims that we still have to wait a little bit longer until this happens. Screenshots showing the upcoming update are expected to reach the web in the next few hours, so we’ll keep you posted on this.

[javajolt]

Rumor and speculation is rife about the future of Windows at the moment.  There is a great deal of debate about just what form Windows 9 will take, but before that there is Update 1 to look forward to. Even though this release is much closer than Windows 9, it is still far from clear just what it is going to include -- and this in spite of the fact that the update is supposedly only a couple of months away!

The latest leaked screenshots seem to imply that booting to the desktop will be enabled by default once Update 1 is installed, but according to Mary Jo Foley, this may not be the case. Foley does not cite any specific sources, merely saying that she is "hearing this may not end up being the case by the time Windows 8.1 Update 1 begins to be made available".

Microsoft does have a difficult line to walk here. It makes sense to listen to what customers are demanding -- this is why the boot to desktop option was added in Windows 8.1, after all -- but pandering to too many suggestions runs the risk of looking weak and directionless. With the tiles interfaces of Windows Phone and Xbox, Microsoft is understandably keen to push the modern interface (or Metro, if you will).

This means that modern apps cannot be ignored. It is one thing to give users the option of skipping the Start screen at boot, but it would be completely understandable to keep it in place. The App Store needs modern apps, and the Start screen serves as an advertisement for the type of app that can be found there.

It seems that no matter what Microsoft does, it will be criticized. Make the Start screen the default and the company will be accused of not listening to what people have been asking for. Make the desktop the default setting and there will be accusation of backtracking thrown about. You can't be right for being wrong!

It's difficult to say whether the desktop or Start screen will be the default boot setting. It may be that nothing changes from Windows 8.1 -- so you'll have the choice of using either, but the Start screen will be the default.

source:zdnet