Microsoft announced it is currently working on an update to Windows 8.1 set to be released this spring.
Apr. 8 is the day that support for Windows XP ends, according to Ubergizmo. This will be the same day that Microsoft holds its "Patch Tuesday", a day when the company releases updates and fixes for different Windows products.
Joe Belfiore, vice president of operating systems for Microsoft, announced the update at the Mobile World Congress on Sunday, CNET reported. Belfiore said Microsoft will address changes in the updates, such as the move to push touch screen as the primary method of control for Windows 8, which not all customers were comfortable with.
"We could see where things were going great, and we could see where we could improve things," Belfiore said.
According to ZDNet, Windows 8.1 updates include the addition of a title bar at the top of Modern/Windows Store apps, as well as the addition of power and search buttons on the Start Screen. There will also be a smaller footprint of the update with 1GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage, which will help device makers put the updated Windows 8.1 on tablets that were smaller and cheaper.
Microsoft is also looking to offer a price cut to PC makers for Windows 8.1 on machines costing $250 or less, ZDNet reported. The offer would encourage OEMs to market cheaper Windows 8.1 devices.
The updates include a new mouse user interface, which uses right click for Start and close apps, according to CNET. Search, power, and setting icons will also be featured on the Start screen. In addition, it will be easier for users to switch between apps through the task bar. Belfiore added that the touch-screen push was not done away with despite the changes.
"We love touch," Belfiore said. "None of the work has a negative effect on touch."
According to Ubergizmo, MSDN users may have the chance to get the new update on Apr. 2.
