Microsoft is touting Windows 8.1 as an upgrade for Windows 8 new Windows kernel version. Windows 8.1 Spring update, also known as Update ...
Microsoft is touting Windows 8.1 as an upgrade for Windows 8 new Windows kernel version. Windows 8.1 Spring update, also known as Update 1 is more like a traditional upgrade that new OS omitted. Windows 8.1 Update 1 will not increase NT kernel version, it means that you sit in NT 6.3, similar to Windows 8.1.
Recent rumors claiming that Windows 8.1 Update 1 is internally tested by Microsoft employees already. Microsoft is planning to launch an update in April, during the accumulated developer conference.
It is currently unknown how Microsoft plans to distribute and advertise the upcoming update. It's entirely possible that Microsoft will update through Windows Update and even talk about it on the consumer level, much like your regular Windows updates. Since we do not know what the update 1, it is now difficult to say.
