Microsoft is adding a slew of updates to the apps and tools that come with Windows 8, and this week the software giant outlined more than 50 changes covering everything from search and messaging to music or photo management.

The tweaks come as the final touches to apps and tools ahead of the official Windows 8 launch, set for Oct. 26.

"As we get close to the general availability (GA) of Windows 8, there are many things that the Windows team and other teams at Microsoft have been doing to get ready," Gabriel Aul, a member of the Windows program management team, wrote in a blog post on Friday, Oct. 5.

"Leading up to GA for Windows 8, we will be releasing updates for many of the apps that were included with the release to manufacturing (RTM) build of Windows 8 that was delivered to PC makers and to MSDN and TechNet subscribers in August," added Aul.

The pre-launch tweaks cover a wide variety of Microsoft apps that will run on Windows 8 and its tablet-only version, Windows RT. Updated apps and their tweaks include:

• Skydrive - this app gets a new tool designed to allow users to search from within the cloud storage app. Meanwhile, other new functions enable users to rename and move files and folders, as well as customize work order;
• Mail, Calendar, People, and Messaging - these collaboration apps got a number of upgrades, including IMAP support, conversation view of inbox, better search, and a new function that allows users to accept or decline an invitation through e-mail;
• Photos - the updated photo application now lets users crop and rotate pictures and view images from networked locations added to their Picture Library. The update also improves slideshow management;
• Bing - the Windows 8 Bing, which is separate from Bing.com, now delivers more extensive results for local content and images, said Microsoft. The update also brings better integration with Bing Rewards, and adds a zoom tool that allows users to see related queries;
• News - this app will now deliver more content from the New York Times and other partners, while the update also offers an enhanced article reader and a better offline reading experience, according to Microsoft;
• Sports - additions to this app include more slideshows, videos, news, and magazine content, as well as access to content from soccer leagues such as the Brazilian league or Major League Soccer;

As previously mentioned, Microsoft has already made more than 50 tweaks to its suite of applications, and it plans to continue making updates until Windows 8 launches.

"We are excited to get these updated apps out to all of the people who have been using Windows 8 so far, and to have them ready for the Windows 8 launch for people buying new PCs or upgrading their existing PCs," added Aul.