When Windows 8.1 Update 1 rolled out to users, it was rumoured that Microsoft was working on a second set of changes and updates called Update2. Many users believed that the start menu might make a come back in Update2 and would add many interesting features as Update1 had done. Some time earlier Microsoft confirmed that there will be no Update2 and no major update packs for Windows 8.1 but instead development will continue towards the launch of Windows 9.
Microsoft did mention that update packs for Windows 8.1 will be made available as part of the Patch Tuesday process. Microsoft has announced that the Update2 will be made available as the August Update pack on August 12th. This update will include a number of bug fixes but sadly do not expect a major change or improvement. Some of the new features to be added via the package are the following.
- Precision touchpad improvements – three new end-user settings have been added: Leave touch pad on when a mouse is connected; allow right-clicks on the touchpad; double-tap and drag.
- Miracast Receive – exposes a set of Wi-Fi direct APIs for Independent Hardware Vendor (IHV) drivers or OEM drivers to develop Windows 32-bit applications that run on all supported x86-based or x64-based versions of Windows 8.1, enabling the computer as a Miracast receiver.
- Minimizing login prompts for SharePoint Online – reduces the number of prompts with federated use in accessing SharePoint Online sites. If you select the “Keep me signed in” check box when you log on for the first time, you will not see prompts for successive access to that SharePoint Online site.
Microsoft has said the update will be available via the Windows update service for home users and WSUS for enterprise users. Enterprise users can deploy the updates whenever they can. For further details you can check this page at Windows Blog. Microsoft has said it will add more details about the August update package on 12th of August at the aforementioned link.