Updated Windows 8.1.1 is speculated to be released on March 11, lining up with a Patch Tuesday.
ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley said that the update could lower per-unit OEM costs, allowing for expanded margins for manufacturers, TechCrunch reports.
Update 1 is expected to refine the operating system and reduce memory usage and disk space requirements for Windows 8.1 to help lower-end tablets.
Previously, the release date for Update 1 was thought to be further out, in April, perhaps landing around the same time as the Build conference.
The largest change expected to be seen in Windows 8.1.1 is some crossover of Metro apps to the traditional desktop, the report added.
