Microsoft on Wednesday posted a video walk-through of its new Windows 8.1 operating system highlighting improvements to the Start screen, search function and more. Microsoft’s new lock screen will no longer display a single static image, but will instead scroll through a collage of photos generated from a user’s PC, SkyDrive account and Windows Phone. The company has added two different Live Tile sizes to Start screen, and Windows 8.1 will deliver more personalization options with more background colors and new animated wallpapers that move as you scroll through the Start screen, called “motion accents.”
The company also improved the All Apps screen and search tools. Apps can be sorted by name, date installed, most used or by category, and multiple apps can be selected, pinned and personalized with a simple gesture. The search feature has been revamped to bring together content from the PC and results from the Web all in one place.
Microsoft will release a preview edition of Windows 8.1 on June 26th. The video walkthrough follows below.
