Microsoft to launch Windows 9 soon: report

[kingrob]

At least Windows 8 got a 8.1 release, Windows Vista got nothing.

 

[rwenzori]

I'm going to upgrade to Windows 98 Real soon now, might even get me a new PC!

Win98 is preferable to Win8.

 

[backstreetboy]

Que the Windows 8 haters in 3...2...1...

 

[Rickster]

I cant wait for a W9 leak so I can rip it off.

 

[LazyLion]

Que the Windows 8 haters in 3...2...1...

Bit late to the party, I see!

 

[Electron1]

I think that Windows 9 will still be a big transition for those that hate windows 8.

 

[elvis_presley]

Let's hope MS found some developers with a combined IQ > 20 this time around. Only the monster living in your toilet bowl can stomach the crap that is Win 8.*.

People keep saying that, but after using win8 for a while, and I have to go bacl to win7, you can really see win7's showing its age; it's noticeably slower and the win8 desktop enhancements are great; I'd go so far as to say win7 sucks after you've got used to win8. If you have an IQ over 20, you can hit the windows button to get back to the desktop if metro launcher comes up by mistake every few days, and if you really hate it that much and have an IQ over 15 you can install a free start menu replacement..

 

[elvis_presley]

I think that Windows 9 will still be a big transition for those that hate windows 8.

Win8's big problem was market perception. Win7 was basically vista + a service pack. Win9 will just be Win8.1 + a service pack. More than anything it'll give the haters a chance to say "yeah win8 sucks, but win9 is awesome" and save face, when it's essentially the same thing.

 

[kingrob]

Win8's big problem was market perception. Win7 was basically vista + a service pack. Win9 will just be Win8.1 + a service pack. More than anything it'll give the haters a chance to say "yeah win8 sucks, but win9 is awesome" and save face, when it's essentially the same thing.

I reckon Windows 9 will just be Windows 8.1 with update 1 + Start Menu back!!

Maybe cheaper to get Windows 8.1 with update 1 + Stardock app when Windows 9 gets released in 2015?

 

[elvis_presley]

I reckon Windows 9 will just be Windows 8.1 with update 1 + Start Menu back!!

Pretty much - and the start menu leaks I've seen look great, you can pin live tiles in there, so you could have stock tickers, weather tiles, etc. I haven't used the start menu much since I started pinning apps to the taskbar In Vista, but that might convince me to go use it again.

Maybe cheaper to get Windows 8.1 with update 1 + Stardock app when Windows 9 gets released in 2015?

I really hope they do their cheap upgrade for win9, I ran pirated Windows versions for years, but got legal with the cheap-ass Win8 upgrade + the OEM trick. I'd happily pay the upgrade cost of $20 again and stay legal.

 

[garyc]

Microsoft are finally getting into virtual desktops 30 years after they were introduced, wonder if they are going to patent this?

 

[rwenzori]

and if you really hate it that much and have an IQ over 15 you can install a free start menu replacement..

Rules me out.

 

[dualmeister]

Still waiting for W7 SP2

+1

 

[ponder]

Microsoft are finally getting into virtual desktops 30 years after they were introduced, wonder if they are going to patent this?

I think Apple already did.

 

[Bryn]

Let's hope MS found some developers with a combined IQ > 20 this time around. Only the monster living in your toilet bowl can stomach the crap that is Win 8.*.

Win98 is preferable to Win8.

I don't know why anyone would hate Windows 8. Sure, there's nothing innovative about it and the Modern UI makes your eyes bleed, but it's still objectively better than Windows 7. You just have to take two minutes to install Start8 or an equivalent program, set your PC to boot to desktop and configure it to never show the Modern UI. Now you have a mild improvement on Windows 7, because it's basically Windows 7 with faster boot times, a better Windows Explorer and better gaming optimisation.

Certainly not worth upgrading over, but if you find yourself with a copy because of a new PC purchase then no problem.

 

[elvis_presley]

Microsoft are finally getting into virtual desktops 30 years after they were introduced, wonder if they are going to patent this?

There have been virtual desktop apps for Windows for ages, all the back-end wiring is in there, MS just let others do the front-ends - here's a small free utility that I've used from time to time.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/cc817881

It'll be nice to have it in the OS though - I used DisplayFusion for multiple desktop taskbars for ages, and MS did a better job of it when they built it in to win8, will be interesting to see what they do with multi desktops.

 

[gregmcc]

Already! I hope its a free update from W8...oh wait, its MS what am I thinking.

 

[Bryn]

Already! I hope its a free update from W8...oh wait, its MS what am I thinking.

I'm surprised the 8.1 update was free...

 

[alloytoo]

Microsoft should have produced an cheap ultralite version of 8 for xp upgraders, and provided an off button for the metro rubbish and charms bar.

 

[Arthur]

Microsoft are finally getting into virtual desktops 30 years after they were introduced, wonder if they are going to patent this?

Virtual desktops were originally part of the plan for Win95, and several internal builds included it. However, testing with various user types showed it was just too confusing for most people, and corporate tech types said it would lead to their help desks being flooded with calls, so it was removed.

Same with Win2K, where the Win95 GUI came to NT.

Some VD code has been in Windows since XP, but the APIs not exposed because of resistance in various user circles. I've heard that in certain dev teams inside MSFT a little utility is used to enable VDs.