Windows 8.1 Gets Its Start Button

Microsoft is bringing back the Start button to Windows 8.1 in the left-hand corner of the operating system. The update will be freely available for current Windows 8 users beginning June 26, 2013 via the Windows Store. The Metro style Start screen will remain the same and now it offers greater customization. Users can now select multiple apps all at once, re-size them, uninstall them, or rearrange them.

The following are new features introduce with Windows 8.1 update:

1. Tiles - the new Start screen will feature a variety of tile sizes similar to the current version of Windows phone.

2. Windows Store - the new store will offer details free apps, new releases, and top picks on the homepage.

3. Split Screen - no users can view 2 different apps side by side and re-size the app to any size, share the screen between two apps, or have up to 3 different apps. If users have multiple display, it can have different Windows Store apps on all the display screens.

4. Internet Explorer 11 - new version of Internet Explorer will offer better touch performance, faster loading time, and adjust the appearance to show the address bar. Now, it can have as many as tabs just like the previous IE 10.

5. SkyDrive - now the Sky Drive app gives users the ability to access their files that are on the device or in the cloud while offline. It also offers the ability to back up the entire device to SkyDrive.

6. Control Panel - the updated Windows 8.1 will give users to access all the settings without having to go to Control Panel on the Desktop.

7. Search - the Search feature will provide global search powered by Bing. If users are offline, the search query  will display the local result.

8. Sync - it offers better synchronization and sharing among the users' devices.

9. New Apps - new Sound Recorder, Calculator, and Alarm apps are provided.

10. Kiosk Mode - it features a lock down mode for users' devices that will prevent to be accessible when surfing the Internet.

11. Pictures Frame and Camera - for tablet users, it can turn the Windows 8.1 into picture frame and it can access the camera when the screen is locked.