The Top 6 New Features in Windows 8.1

Microsoft's just-launched Windows 8.1 upgrade is way more than a service pack, even though it's a free update for Windows 8 users through the Windows Store. And, let's be frank, even the operating system's most vocal supporters will probably agree that Microsoft needs an update bigger than a service pack to change Windows 8's somewhat rocky narrative. Yes, a lot of the changes are tweaks and tightenings, but there are also plenty of new capabilities like built-in support for 3D printing, Miracast display sharing, and a new Web radio feature in the included Xbox Music app.

Windows 8.1 brings literally hundreds of updates, fixes, and tweaks for both home and business users, as well as for form factors from small tablets to large-screen workstations—more than is possible to cover in even in a long-format review, let alone in a quick cheat sheet of top new features. That said, below are what we consider the handful of new features that we think will affect the largest number of Windows 8 users.