Microsoft updates Windows 8 apps ahead of launch

Windows 8 has yet to officially launch, but Microsoft is already delivering updates for the built-in apps, which it has developed since it released the final code back in August.

As detailed on Microsoft's Building Windows 8 blog, the firm is releasing an update for the Bing app first, while updates to a further dozen apps will be rolled out between now and the official Windows 8 release on October 26.

The updates will be included in the versions of Windows 8 that go on sale at launch, and also in systems shipped with the new operating system.

For those users who have already downloaded and installed the Windows RTM code from either MSDN or TechNet, the updates will be provided via the Windows Store app, which will automatically alert users when updates are available and ready to download.

"Leading up to GA [general availability] for Windows 8, we will be releasing updates for many of the apps that were included with the release to manufacturing (RTM) build of Windows 8 that was delivered to PC makers and to MSDN and TechNet subscribers in August," wrote Microsoft's Gabriel Aul.

The updates to the built-in apps are largely minor tweaks to provide extra functionality. The Bing update adds richer search results for local content, for example, while the SkyDrive app will gain the ability for users to search within SkyDrive, and to rename and move folders and files.

More details on all the app updates are available on the Building Windows 8 blog.

Meanwhile, users can read V3's verdict on the new version of Windows in our Windows 8 review.