MANILA, Philippines – For a number of Windows devotees, the disappearance of the Start Button on Windows 8 was like the loss of a stalwart computing companion.

Microsoft has been working to inform people that Windows 8.1, the free update to Windows 8, brings new features with it, along with the return of a trusty companion.

In a new ad from Microsoft, Windows 8.1 brings the return of the Start button as the starting point for the upgraded feature set of the operating system. It also discusses Windows 8.1’s customization features for the interface, as well as the ability to multitask on a Windows 8.1 computing system.

Windows 8.1 is scheduled to go live on October 18, though users can download a preview version from Microsoft. – Rappler.com