Windows 8.1 Update 1 Release Expected on 11 March

New report revealing the roll-out timeframe for Microsoft's next update to Windows 8.1 has been surfaced.

Well known Windows leaker, WZor had earlier noted that the Windows 8.1 Update 1 is expected to be released to manufacturing (RTM) sometime in March. However, he failed to provide the specific date for the release.

Now ZDNet, after speaking to sources, has reported that the upcoming Windows 8.1 Update 1 will be released on 11 March. Microsoft is likely to roll-out the Update 1 to Windows 8.1 users via Windows update.

Besides, the source also mentioned that the Update 1 might feature what Microsoft has been working for -- to reduce further the memory and disk space requirements for Windows. This will allow the Windows 8.1 Update 1 to run on low-cost small tablets.

If the aforementioned information is to be believed, then the Windows 8.1 Update 1 will come just a few weeks before the Windows Phone 8.1, also known as Blue, is expected.

The Windows Phone 8.1 will be released to manufacturing before Microsoft's Build Developer Conference 2014 starts, which is scheduled from 2-4 April. The Windows Phone 8.1 will not be available to consumers until late April, although developers might have access to it sooner.

Even though the Windows 8.1 Update 1 and Windows Phone 8.1 releases are imminent, it now appears that there will not be application programming interface (API) changes to Windows 8.1 Update 1 in order to bring it into closer alignment with the Windows Phone 8.1. The Windows 8.1 Update 1 will be focussed on making the Windows 8.1 more useful for business users.

Recently, a bunch of fresh screenshots of the new Windows 8.1 Update 1 have been leaked revealing a few changes. The latest update is expected to bring Metro UI. Besides, users will be able to pin Metro apps to the taskbar to launch them from the taskbar. Also, the Windows Store apps are expected to appear in the taskbar alongside running desktop applications.