Windows 8.1 Preview download live

Microsoft announced the Windows 8.1 preview today, which users can get access to via the Windows.com website and then download through the Windows Store.

Among the new features introduced in Windows 8.1 are:

• New “Large” and “Small” sizes for tiles on the start menu;
• the ability to snap up to 8 apps on the screen at any one time, where Windows 8’s original Snap View feature only let users snap 2 apps at time;
• the re-introduction of the Start button.

In the blog post announcing the preview, Microsoft warns that users on Windows RT that have a language pack installed should not install the preview for Windows RT 8.1 at this time.

More on Microsoft and Windows

Microsoft to bring Xbox, PC games to Apple, Android phones: report

Rivals Microsoft and Oracle team up for push into cloud

Microsoft reverses position on Xbox One Internet, game sharing policies

Windows 8.1 UI fixes showcased

Windows 8 gets Start button