Windows 8.1 August update now available for manual download

Microsoft is now letting Windows 8.1 device owners manually download the new August update, which adds a few new features to the OS.

As previously announced, the Windows 8.1 August update includes these new additions:

  • 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.

The update will also begin rolling out today for Windows 8.1 owners who have their devices set to get automatic updates. Unlike the feature update that was released a few months ago, this will not be a requirement but it is likely recommended.

If you have downloaded and installed this update, what do you think of these new Windows 8.1 features?

Source: x86 and X64 downloads via Neowin

John Callaham