Microsoft Corp had released the service update to its flagship operating system Windows 8. Windows 8.1 was intended to address the issues that were highlighted in the original version of Microsoft's operating system.

The release of the original Windows 8 was done in order for Microsoft to expand to touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The interface of Windows 8 had reflected such goal, utilizing tiles to open applications by tap or swipe.

The Windows 8.1 update included fixes in the start button, keyboard shortcuts, gesture control and web browsing. The 8.1 update also included features to switch to desktop mode and to resize tiles to one's preference.

The past recent years had not been particularly good to Microsoft. It recorded its first quarterly loss since its inception at USD492 million due to costs associated with its acquisition of advertising company aQuantive. Its failed venture into mobile devices, particularly in Surface RT tablets, forced Microsoft to incur a USD900 inventory writedown. This year, Bill Gates' successor Steve Ballmer had announced his retirement, perhaps due to investor sentiment over his strategies on consumer technologies.