App打包
新的App程序包将使App的提交更简单。资源包可以让你提供附加的东西：比如高分辨率的本地化资源包。
异步编程
有一个新的调度API可以通过设置任务的优先级来管理作业系统（job），这就可以更有效地使用系统资源。
xaml控件的更新
包括
- AppBar controls
- CommandBar
- DatePicker
- Flyout
- Hub
- Hyperlink
- MenuFlyout
- SettingsFlyout
- TimePicker
- FlipView updates
- Headers for ComboBox, DatePicker, TimePicker, Slider, Edit controls
- Placeholder text
- Other control updates
设备
DirectX编程
windows 8.1引入了DirectX 11.2，包括以下一些新功能：
- HLSL shader linking
- Inbox HLSL compiler
- GPU overlay support
- DirectX tiled resources
- Direct3D low-latency presentation API
- DXGI Trim API and map default buffer
- Frame buffer scaling
- Multithreading with SurfaceImageSource
- Interactive Microsoft DirectX composition of XAML visual elements
- Direct2D batching with SurfaceImageSource
文件
- File picker updated to support new app display modes
- In-app management of user libraries
- Retrieving parent files or folders
- Comparing files with IsEqual
- New KnownFolders properties
- File retrieval without error-handling requirements
- Exposing view files in Open (With) scenarios
- Adding app content to the Windows index
- Microsoft SkyDrive
多媒体
- Video processing feature
- Audio and video capture feature
- XAML MediaElement
- HTML5 video and audio playback
- Play To feature
网络
- New HTTP Client API
- Custom HTTP request filters
- Background Transfer updates
- Real-time communication updates
- Connected Standby updates
- Geofence support
- Wi-Fi Direct
安全
- Fingerprint authentication
- WebAuthenticationBroker updates
- Smart cards and Virtual Smart Cards
- Credential Locker updates
- App account settings
- Trust management and certificates
- Selective wipe
- Windows To Go updates
商店
- Windows Store Dashboard and onboarding changes
- Consumable in-app purchases using Store commerce
- Support for large in-app purchase catalogs
- Automatic app updates
- Proxy authentication for enterprise scenarios
- Redeemable credit for Windows Store purchases
- Store search results powered by Bing analytics
- New and improved Store pages