In advance of next month’s Build conference, Microsoft today provided a “first look” at Windows 8.1, which includes the return of the start button.

With Windows 8.1, the first major update to Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system, the start button will appear whenever you move your mouse to the bottom right of the screen in tiled (or “Metro”) mode and will persist on the taskbar when in desktop mode.

To make it more easily recognizable, Microsoft will replace the Start “tip” that appears on Windows 8 with the familiar Windows logo.

“There are also options to change what the corners do, and options to boot into alternate screens,” Microsoft said in a blog post(Opens in a new window). “For example, if you prefer to see the Apps view versus all the tiles, you can choose to have the Start screen go directly to Apps view.”

Redmond said the move is intended to make Windows 8 a less frustrating experience for those who don’t have touch-based PCs. Windows 8 was designed for touch, “but we also recognize there are many non-touch devices in use today – especially in the commercial setting,” Microsoft said.

What else is on tap for Windows 8.1 (previously known as Windows Blue)? Microsoft promised more personalization, including the option to turn your lock screen into a slideshow of stored photos, as well as choose from more colors and backgrounds. You can also take photos from the Start screen without having to log in.

Windows 8.1 will allow users to change the size of the tiles on the Start screen and make it easier to rename them. New apps also won’t automatically be pinned to the Start screen; users can pick and choose which ones they want to live on that screen via “apps view.” Microsoft also said that people were accidentally moving tiles around, so going forward, users will have to press and hold (or right click) to move them.

Search, meanwhile, will pull from a variety of sources, including the Web, apps, files, SkyDrive, and actions you can take.

In Windows 8.1, files can be saved directly to SkyDrive, allowing for access to files on the computer and in the cloud, online and offline.

On the apps front, “we will be improving all our built-in apps that come with Windows 8 for Windows 8.1,” Microsoft said. The Photos app includes new editing features, and the Music app got a complete makeover, for example.

Just as you can adjust tile size, meanwhile, Microsoft will also provide more customization when it comes to app size in Windows 8.1.

“You can resize apps to any size you want, share the screen between two apps, or have up to three apps on each screen if you have … multiple displays connected, you can have different Windows Store apps running on all the displays at the same time and the Start Screen can stay open on one monitor,” Microsoft said. “This makes multi-tasking even easier. Also in Windows 8.1, you can have multiple windows of the same app snapped together – such as two Internet Explorer windows.”

Redmond also promised more detailed app information in the Windows Store.

Speaking of IE, Microsoft said Windows 8.1 will include the release of Internet Explorer 11. “IE11 will offer even better touch performance, faster page load times and several other new features we think you will enjoy,” Microsoft said. “For example, you can now adjust the appearance of modern IE11 to always show the address bar and you can have as many open tabs as you like. And you can access your open tabs in sync across your other Windows 8.1 devices.”

If you can’t wait until Windows 8.1, check out PCMag’s How to Get the Start Menu Back in Windows 8. Also check out our full review of Windows 8 and a primer on Windows 8.1.