The Windows 8 home screen is shown in this publicity photo
The Windows 8 home screen is shown in this publicity photo released to Reuters September 13, 2011. REUTERS/Microsoft/Handout Reuters

Microsoft launched Windows 8 in October 2012, the successor to Windows 7 versions. However, the modern look of Windows 8 was not kindly received by the consumers as it did not have the Start Button and the Menu. This made it especially inconvenient for people who used this operating system for business. It was difficult to navigate and was not optimal for work. Microsoft could not get the user experience right for Windows 8.

The Windows 8 behaved in a schizophrenic manner between the modern interface and the Windows desktop and had to go away, according to David Johnson, analyst at tech research firm Forrester.

Microsoft in Build 2014 stated that Windows 9 or Threshold as it unofficial called will have the Start Menu for those who used the desktop, but it will still have Live Tiles that would be connected together through the Start Screen. The Windows 9 is also expected to bring Cortana to support multiple and separate desktops. It will also include the Notification Centre with other features.

When Windows 8 was released Microsoft made an announcement that the upgrade to Windows 8.1 would not cost anything for customers who upgraded early. It seems that the upgrade to Windows 9 too will be free of cost to users of Windows 8.

Phonearena on its website stated that, this could be concluded from the statement made by Andreas Diantoro the president of Microsoft Indonesia, to a local online news site. Windows XP is four generations old and Microsoft will no longer support the operating system. So it is to be seen whether the free upgrade to Windows 9 will make people do away with Windows XP and adopt the new operating system.

Windows 9 is potentially a game changing product for Microsoft. The company is going the Apple way by making Windows 9 available on all platforms mobile, tablet, laptops and PC's.

Today, September 30, 2014 the official glimpse and official name of the Next Generation of Windows can be seen. The event is organised by Microsoft on special invitation in San Francisco.