Windows 8.1 Update 1, a free update to Windows 8.1, is eyeing a March 11, 2014, release.

The latest information is courtesy of ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, who has revealed the update will launch on a Patch Tuesday. Foley cites her "accurate and trusted" source as the basis of her information. Previously, rumors were rife that the first update for Windows 8.1 was set for an April 2014 release.

The date is quite believable as Microsoft traditionally delivers Windows updates on Tuesdays. Russian Windows leaker WZor too has previously hinted at the arrival of the update in March, but did not give a specific date.

The Windows 8.1 Update 1 is expected to reduce the memory and space requirements of the operating system, allowing it to run on smaller, cheaper tablets.

Recently, screenshots of the Windows 8.1 Update 1 leaked and hinted that users will be able to pin the Windows 8-style Metro apps to the taskbar. This would in turn be a step closer to bringing the separate Metro and desktop environments closer.

The leak also suggested that PC users will be able to shut down their machines more easily as a power button would appear on top of the right screen, next to the new search button.

However, two features that are eagerly awaited by users will not be brought by the Update 1 viz. the return of the classic Start menu and the ability to run Metro apps on the desktop in Windows. These updates are allegedly slated for Windows 9, also dubbed Threshold, which is pegged for an April 2015 release.

In the event Microsoft launches the Windows 8.1 Update on March 11 as speculated, then it will release to manufacturing (RTM) a few weeks before the alleged release of the Windows Phone 8.1 OS, which is rumored to release prior to the Microsoft Build 2014 conference that begins on April 2.