One of the major bugbears of Windows 8 users everywhere was the disappearance of the Start Button on the screen – a fundamental part of Windows since Windows 95. Windows 8 instead relied on gestures or hot corners when using a mouse – while not that bad to use every day, it is not exactly the most intuitive method for people starting out with Windows 8.
Luckily with Windows 8.1 (a free upgrade for Windows 8 users), Microsoft has brought back the on screen Start button. The great thing is that 8.1 updates so much more than just the Start button:
- Internet Explorer 11
- Bitlocker baked into Pro and Enterprise versions
- More tiles can be fit into home screens
- Easy hotspot creation
- RT models get Outlook 2013
- Proper multiscreen support
Remember how Windows XP only became a proper operating system after Service Pack 2? Windows 8.1 is the polish that Windows 8 has been desperately needing. Windows 8.1 has already been released to manufacturers, but will be available as a free update for Windows 8 users on 17 October.
