Windows 8.1 update set for March 11?

By Konrad Krawczyk Published January 27, 2014

If you’re running Windows 8.1, you might not have to wait too long to get to play with some brand new features when using Microsoft’s latest OS. A new rumor indicates that a significant Windows 8.1 update could be released and become available for download on March 11, roughly a month and a half from now. Initially, the rumored release date for the Windows 8.1 update indicated an early April launch, during Microsoft’s Build conference, which will run from April 2 – April 4.

The new Windows 8.1 update could decrease the OS’ = memory and storage space requirements, which would allow the tiled OS to run on lower-end tablets that don’t have much RAM and sport smallish hard drives. According to Microsoft, running Windows 8.1 requires a 1 GHz processor, 1GB/2GB of RAM depending on whether you’re running the 32 or 64-bit version of the OS, and 16/20GB of hard drive space for the same reason.

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Last week, a Russian site by the name of Wzor allegedly leaked screenshots of the upcoming Windows 8.1 update. When we looked at the images, we noticed a button on the Taskbar in the classic desktop UI that appeared to be a button sporting the Windows app store insignia. However, it’s unclear whether the app store would run within the desktop UI, or simply take you back to the tiled Metro/Modern interface and run there.

Microsoft is allegedly chipping away on the idea already, looking to make non-desktop apps accessible and usable from the desktop. What isn’t known is if such a feature would appear in this update, a future Windows 8.1 update, or be held back entirely for the launch of Windows 9, which could be released in the middle of 2015.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments below.

Konrad Krawczyk

Former Computing Editor

Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…

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