According to analysis of a leaked build of Windows Blue, and ratified by anonymous sources who are familiar with Microsoft’s plans, Windows Blue (8.1) will include the option to boot straight to the desktop — and possibly the much-loved Start button, too.

A couple of days ago, a new variable called twinui-CanSuppressStartScreen was discovered, buried deep within Windows 8.1 build 9364 (aka Windows Blue). While the leaked build doesn’t actually have the option of bypassing the Start screen — it’s just a fleeting mention in a core DLL file at the moment — the purpose of the variable is rather unambiguous.

A relatively little known trick to extend Microsoft Office’s 30-day trial period up to six months has been around for several years. The process in question revolves around a rearm command, aimed at enterprise administrators who use a single copy or image to deploy the software company-wide, which can be run a maximum of five times for an extra 30-day grace period each before having to enter an activation key.

This was the case with Office 2010, it’s still there on the newly released 2013 edition, and now the folks at How-To Geek report that the same trick works with the subscription-based Office 365 package.

The most recent numbers show PC sales dropping like a rock, with many blaming the radical changes in Windows 8 for scaring away customers. A new rumor suggests the drop has prompted Microsoft to consider reversing course on at least one aspect of the new user interface.

Microsoft may introduce a "Boot to Desktop" mode in the next major update to Windows, called either Windows 8.1 or Windows Blue, according to a post on WinBeta. A version of the update leaked out last month, and someone who examined the code discovered that it includes a line of code for suppressing the Start screen.

Microsoft today launched updates for five out of its six Bing Apps for Windows 8. With this update, the News, Finance, Sports, Travel and Maps apps – all of which are installed by default on Windows 8 systems – now all sport a number of new features and improvements that, as Microsoft puts it, “make it easier to customize and personalize them to best suit your needs.” The company also announced an update to the Bing Weather App, but this new version is not available yet.

None of the updates will rock your world, but all of them are welcome additions to these apps, especially because they often felt somewhat limited in their early iterations.