Microsoft Corporation's Windows 8.1 Update: What Users Need to Know

But the mobile world, with its fancy touch screens, threw Windows for a loop the past couple of years. Microsoft tried to bridge the gap between touch and traditional PCs with Windows 8, which hasn't gone as smoothly as the company had hoped. Luckily, with the recently announced Window 8.1 update, Microsoft is taking a few steps to bring its beloved and beleaguered Windows back on track.

If it ain't broke

Microsoft's big changes for Windows 8.1 are geared at making its desktop and laptop users a little happier -- or at least confusing them less. Many of the changes bring back functionality that traditional PC users will find familiar.

Here are a few changes Microsoft is making in the new Windows 8.1 update:

• Ability to pin new Windows apps to the desktop taskbar
• An app search bar on the desktop homepage
• PCs and laptops automatically boot to the desktop screen
• Windows Store apps can now be minimized and closed from a title bar at the top of the screen
• The taskbar can be viewed from any screen
• Right clicking a live tile can change its size, uninstall the app, or change other settings

Why Microsoft needs these changes

 The company needs to give its Windows users every incentive possible to switch to Windows 8, and 8.1. According to Net Applications, Windows 7 makes up 48.7% of all Windows OS market share, and Windows XP makes up 27.7%. Meanwhile Windows 8 and 8.1 take up a combined 11%. 

Obviously Microsoft wants users to be on its latest software, but the drastic difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8 have kept many from moving to the latest version, or encouraged the upgrade from XP to 7. By tweaking Windows 8.1, Microsoft hopes to lure back its desktop and laptop users who've been frustrated with Windows 8's original focus on touch screens.

Foolish final thoughts

Microsoft needs users to be happy with the latest software, because it makes up a big portion of its revenue. For the company's quarter ending in December, Microsoft's Devices and Consumer segment -- which includes Windows OEM sales, Xbox, Bing, and Surface tablets -- made $11.9 billion. 

Windows OEM revenue declined 3% year over year, while Windows OEM Pro revenue grew by 12%. But PC sales are on a downward trend in the midst of mobile's growth, and Microsoft said in its latest earnings release that there's "continued softness in the consumer PC market."