This web site uses cookies to improve your experience. By viewing our content, you are accepting the use of cookies. To find out more and change your cookie settings, please view our cookie policy.

Search
  • Videos
  • Smart Cities
  • Windows 10
  • Cloud
  • Innovation
  • Security
  • Tech Pro
  • more
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • IoT
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Log In to ZDNET
    • Join ZDNet
    • About ZDNet
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • Smart Cities
    • Windows 10
    • Cloud
    • Innovation
    • Security
    • Tech Pro
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • IoT
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
      • Log In to ZDNET
      • Join ZDNet
      • About ZDNet
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet China
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan
  • Here's Start (and other UI hints)

    Here's Start (and other UI hints)

    When you first use a new account, animated hints appear in each of the four corners to alert you to their special functions. If you try the action and miss, you get a second level of help text and another animation.

    See also:  Windows 8.1 RTM: What's new, what's next?

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • A helpful hint for the charms menu, too

    A helpful hint for the charms menu, too

    This is the animated hint that appears in the upper right corner after you sign in to a Windows 8.1 account for the first time.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • The new Help + Tips app

    The new Help + Tips app

    One of the biggest criticisms of Windows 8 was its lack of any help for newcomers. The new Help _ Tips app aims to change that, with detailed information in six categories.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • More Help

    More Help

    This is a closer look at the "Start and apps" section of the new Windows 8.1 Help + Tips app.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • And still more Help

    And still more Help

    You won't find any animation or videos in the new Help + Tips app, only these screenshots, explanatory text, and links to online help resources.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • The new Mail app is here!

    The new Mail app is here!

    One of the loudest complaints about Windows 8 was its weak Mail app. The newly designed, full-featured Mail app in Windows 8 draws heavily from the Outlook.com experience and is far more full-featured than its predecessor.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • A cleaner view of People

    A cleaner view of People

    The People app is part of the unified communications app, which also includes Mail and Calendar. In Windows 8.1 it gets a major overhaul to remove clutter.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • A selection of Windows 8.1 desktop themes

    A selection of Windows 8.1 desktop themes

    It wouldn't be Windows without a selection of desktop themes. The default settings include a new Windows image and a "Lines and colors" slideshow.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • A subtle addition to the power menu

    A subtle addition to the power menu

    The original Start menu is gone, but Windows 8.1 still has the right-click WinX menu. One subtle change in Windows 8.1 is the addition of a Sign Out option in addition to the usual Sleep/Shut Down/Restart functions.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • IE 11 gets a reading view

    IE 11 gets a reading view

    The Reading View option in the Metro version of Internet Explorer 11 is new, with a handful of custom settings for fonts and colors.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • More tracking protection options

    More tracking protection options

    From the Metro version of Internet Explorer 11, you can still turn on Tracking Protection and control Do Not Track requests. For the first time you can also choose to block third-party cookies.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • Default settings

    Default settings

    When setting up a new account, you get some additional options, including several that make it very clear you're choosing to send additional information to Microsoft.

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • SkyDrive is now a local file manager too

    SkyDrive is now a local file manager too

    It might seem like an odd place to find this feature, but the Windows 8.1 SkyDrive app now acts as a feature-rich version of File Explorer as well.

    See also:  Windows 8.1 RTM: What's new, what's next?

    Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

    Caption by: Ed Bott

  • 0
  • Here's Start (and other UI hints)
  • A helpful hint for the charms menu, too
  • The new Help + Tips app
  • More Help
  • And still more Help
  • The new Mail app is here!
  • A cleaner view of People
  • A selection of Windows 8.1 desktop themes
  • A subtle addition to the power menu
  • IE 11 gets a reading view
  • More tracking protection options
  • Default settings
  • SkyDrive is now a local file manager too
10 of 13 NEXT PREV

What's changed in the Windows 8.1 RTM release?

If you've been running the Windows 8.1 Preview for any length of time, you'll have to look closely to see the small but significant changes in the RTM code. Here are a few things to watch out for.

Read More Read Less

IE 11 gets a reading view

The Reading View option in the Metro version of Internet Explorer 11 is new, with a handful of custom settings for fonts and colors.

Published: September 10, 2013 -- 12:36 GMT (05:36 PDT)

Caption by: Ed Bott

Related Topics:

Microsoft Enterprise Software Windows 10 PCs Reviews
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 16 Cortana shortcuts, secrets, and power tips

    Windows 10

    16 Cortana shortcuts, secrets, and power tips

  • In Memoriam: All the consumer products Microsoft has killed off

    Microsoft

    In Memoriam: All the consumer products Microsoft has killed off

  • What's new in Windows 10 version 1803, the Spring Creators Update

    Windows 10

    What's new in Windows 10 version 1803, the Spring Creators Update

  • Linux survival guide: These 21 applications let you move easily between Linux and Windows

    Linux

    Linux survival guide: These 21 applications let you move easily between Linux and Windows

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2018 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookies | Ad Choice | Advertise | Terms of Use | Mobile User Agreement

  • Topics
  • All Authors
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • Site Map
  • RSS Feeds
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Log In to ZDNET | Join ZDNet
  • Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy