Win8.1 Preview Edition

Computer shop news: For the bleak market performance of Windows 8, Microsoft finally can't sit still!

On Wednesday, Microsoft officially released the Windows 8.1 preview at the Build Developers Conference in San Francisco, the first beta version of the Win8.1 system. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballter revealed that the official version of 8.1 will be released in November.

The biggest "highlights" in the preview version is to restore the "start" button that is familiar to traditional PC users and allow users to log in directly to the desktop interface. This change has been warmly welcomed by traditional PC users. Wang Zhentang, chairman of Acer, commented on this change in Microsoft, saying that Microsoft intends to make changes and is good news for the PC industry. “If they used to live in paradise, then now it’s time to go to the world and start to understand the ideas of ordinary people.

However, overseas media also commented that Windows 8 is Microsoft's transition from the era of “mouse+keyboard” to the era of touch. “The boat of hope” The “Start” button is just a small compromise from Microsoft, and Microsoft will not give up the vision of Win8.

Windows 8 is voted by users with their feet

Windows 8 that is highly anticipated by Microsoft is gray-faced after the market. Microsoft had hoped to embrace the touch era, which is the biggest change since the Windows operating system came out. However, because the changes are too large, traditional PC users simply do not adapt to this, many users have chosen to return to Windows 7 after the trial. Adding this change is not very useful for traditional desktops and laptops. Therefore, it is reasonable for Windows 8 to be cold after it goes on the market.

Because the user's willingness to upgrade is not strong, not only is the PC camp's expectation that Windows 8 drives PC sales fall, Windows 8 is also seen as one of the main reasons for the sharp decline in the PC market. Market research firm IDC said the operating system actually slowed the growth of the PC market. Although Microsoft said it has sold more than 100 million Windows 8 licenses to date, IDC data shows that global PC shipments fell 14% in the first quarter of this year, the biggest drop since 1994.

Obviously, Microsoft is aware of the seriousness of the problem. When Ballmer announced at the Build Developers Conference that the "Start" button will return to Windows 8.1, the live applause is enough to show how unfortunate Microsoft's changes have been. However, Windows 8.1 is not just a return to the "Start" button, it also greatly improves the search function across the entire system, deeply integrated with SkyDrive cloud computing synchronization and management services, providing better multi-tasking capabilities. The new system also supports 3D printers.

This series of actions shows that Microsoft listened to user opinions and completed the transformation of the new system.

The laggard turned into a "fast company"

In the era of the Internet, Microsoft’s pace slowed down significantly and was considered the Internet. Laggards, but from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, changes in Microsoft, the overseas media evaluation, Microsoft began to cater to the enterprise's IT managers, quickly to cater to the end users.

A major operating system version was released every three years, but since the release of Windows 8, Microsoft has released more than 700 improvements, and Windows 8.1 has more than 800 updates. Less than one year. This high speed and fast pace is the first time in Microsoft history. Ballmer said: "We have entered a high-speed release cycle. This is what we are at the moment, and we must use it to mobilize the enthusiasm of our ecosystems and partners. ”

In addition to changes in the operating system, Microsoft's pace in APP applications is also accelerating. Ballmer revealed that the total number of Windows 8 applications has reached 100,000, and the total number of downloads has reached hundreds of millions. Although this number is still small compared to other app stores, it has achieved rapid growth. In addition, Office 2014, a full-touch office software, will be released next year.

However, the industry still has doubts about the changes in Microsoft. Market research firm Forrester analyst Frank · Gillette wrote that by releasing 8.1, Microsoft better unified desktops and modern screens, but these changes did not touch the depths. He said: "Microsoft has smoothed out some rough edges, but it has not fundamentally changed the fact that there are two experiences in a system. ”