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Wednesday 6 August 2014

Microsoft to give away Windows 9 for free to Vista, XP users?

Microsoft to give away Windows 9 for free to Vista, XP users?
Could Microsoft go as far as giving Windows 9 away for free to Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 users? This may well be the case as the focus moves away from Windows 8 towards its successor, which is expected to land in spring 2015.
In a blog post, ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley cites rumours that Microsoft could be offering "some kind deal" to users of the three operating systems to entice them to move away from legacy platforms. Such a deal, she writes, could be in the form of a free upgrade.
Microsoft has offered such deals to kickstart transitions from older platforms to newer ones in the past, but given the large contingent of Windows XP users out there, a freebie might lure them to Windows 9 - rather than Google Chrome or Apple's OS X.

On track

According to Foley's sources, Windows 8.1 Update 2 is expected to land on August 12, on the company's monthly Patch Tuesday. It's said to be a minor one and won't be mandatory, and its content is expected to include minor design changes, but nothing spectacular.
Instead, the focus will be on Threshold, also referred to as Windows 9, which is expected to place a particular emphasis on getting some crucial features - like a new start menu - baked in.


The Windows 9 preview may drop this autumn

The Windows 9 preview may drop this autumn

Last May we learned the Windows 9 preview could come by early Spring 2015. Now word on the internet street says the preview version of Microsoft's operating system could launch much earlier than anticipated.
Microsoft sources told ZDNet that the next version of Windows OS, codenamed "Threshold," will arrive with a preview build this fall. While the preview date has been moved up from a previously rumored February release, Windows 9 is still expected to drop Spring 2015.
The same sources also say Windows 9 will have more features designed for desktop-oriented users than Windows 8.1. The new version will rely more on a mouse and keyboard, and touch will become an optional input, rather than a focus.
One of the most notable additions, or reintroductions, that reflects this is Threshold's inclusion of the Mini-Start menu.
Originally demoed at Microsoft Build 2014, this revamped menu bar will include the usual list of applications. Plus, users will supposedly be able to pin Metro-styled live tiles to the start menu.

Transform and log out

On top of being more desktop focused, Windows 9 is said to transform itself based on the hardware it's installed on.
PC and laptops will receive a SKU version of Windows that brings the desktop to the forefront of the interface. Transforming laptops, such as the Lenovo Yoga 2 11 and the Surface Pro 3, will start with the Metro splash screen and switch to Windowed mode when the keyboard is in use.
Other tablet and phone platforms won't have a desktop at all. Devices might be able to run apps side-by-side similar to the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Oh right, Windows 8.1

Along with the new Windows 9 details, Microsoft is rumored to be delivering the next Windows 8.1 update this August.
Reportedly, this second and final update will come will just a few UI adjustments and tweaks, but nothing majorly game changing. It seems Windows 8.1 is destined to fade away into obsolescence much like Vista.
  • Seems like the Xbox One is being left out of all this Windows update news

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