The upcoming spring update to Windows 8.1 will boot to the desktop by default, instead of booting to Metro. The information comes from another leak of the Russian hackgroup WZOR, known for their early leaks of Microsoft information. It's possible that touchscreens are automatically detected and that on those devices the OS continues to boot to Metro.
The Russian group obtained a new build of Windows 8.1, this time dated the 26th of January 2014. In this build the boot to desktop setting was activated by default, which means users end up on the traditional desktop when the computer starts.
Wzor tested the build on a PC without a touchscreen, so the possibility remains that Windows automatically detects a touch screen and then continues to welcome users in the Metro interface.
Furthermore, the options sleep, restart and shut down can now be accessed directly from the Metro interface. Apps from the Windows Store now also have a maximize and minimize feature which underlines that they can be integrated in the traditional desktop GUI.
The update also seems to bring an improvement in scaling screen with high resolutions, like screens with a resolution of 3200x1800 pixels. It appears to be possible to scale text and items on the desktop up to 500%.
