Windows 8.1 Features-Overview

Feature

Description

Miracast

Customers can virtually project (cable free) from a Windows Blue computer to a TV or projector that supports Miracast technology.

Display & Graphics

Today, customers using multiple monitors must adjust the settings of each individual screen. With Windows Blue, the settings will automatically adjust, and will be retained.

Hybrid Hard Drive Support

HHD provides a more responsive experience than SSD, at a much lower cost. Today, Windows 8 does not recognize or support HHD. Windows Blue will.

Finger Print and Precision Touchpad Class Driver

Microsoft is standardizing the behavior across all OEM platforms to provide a consistent experience to customers, regardless of computer used.

Bluetooth / Near Field Communication

Microsoft is standardizing the behavior across all OEM platforms to provide a consistent experience to customers, regardless of computer used.

WWAN/WWLAN

Improved, faster performance and improved battery life. Blue functionality will wake up and service the system, then return it to hibernate.

UI Changes

More options for customers to customize the start screen. Win Blue will enable more apps to run concurrently to improve multi-tasking.

Service Tag for Modern Apps

This feature lays down the foundational technology for OEMs to offer Apps that are personalized to a customer's computer.

OOBE and Roaming

Microsoft has incorporated customer feedback on the OOBE. The Blue OOBE will be easier for customers to follow. Roaming: The customer's personalized set up is maintained through the Microsoft ID, and remains the same no matter which Windows Blue system the customer logs into.

Security and TPM

Invisible to end user. Windows Blue offers more robust security features over Windows 8.

Manufacturing

Transparent to end customer. Dell will gain greater control over the details of our factory customizations.

Windows Blue RT Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Provides the capability for enterprise IT customers to support Bring Your Own Device to Work for Windows RT or Basic computers/tablets.

Windows Update Model Based Targeting (MBT)

New technology that will guard against forced updates that impair a device's functionality.

Preinstalled and First Party Apps

More Apps will be included with the Blue OS (Calculator, new Video Editing). The Apps themselves will be easier to use.

Voice and Audio enhancements

Audio experience on Apps will be improved. The Skype voice/audio experience is improving significantly.

Windows Store

A redesign will include "Picks for You", recommending personalized Apps based on download history. More information about the App will be included up front.

Haswell ULT connected Standby (Instant go)

Waking up from sleep will be faster for both high and low power machines.

SkyDrive

Now everything by default gets saved to the cloud, better backup and data protection.

Internet Explorer 11

Faster than previous IE's and works better at higher DPI, scales better.

Traditional desktop changes

Boot to desktop, start button options, set desktop background as modern background is less jarring when switching between the 2.

Personalization and lock screen

Many more personalization features and options, makes the experience feel more tailored to the user.

Search and Bing

Much more information than previously, takes up less screen real-estate and delivers off line content as requested.

Keyboard and Mouse

Many improvements to make the experience better and make the OS seem less than touch first.