Microsoft China accidentally posted about Windows 9 on Weibo, a Chinese social media equivalent to Facebook. It posted a status asking followers for their opinion on Windows 9, despite Microsoft officially not having made any previous comments on the new OS. The ‘announcement’ is accompanied by a Windows 9 logo mock-up by Shy Designs.
“Microsoft’s latest OS Windows 9 is coming soon, do you think the start menu at the left bottom will make a comeback?”
The post is quickly removed, but not before being noticed by fans. Microsoft was projected to announce Windows 9 at the end of September of early in October in lieu with removing Windows 7 from the shelves in October 31, 2013. The strangest thing was, the name of Windows’ new operating system was never confirmed – until now.
Meanwhile, the mainstream support for Windows 7 will end on January 14, 2015. Microsoft will continue to provide the essential security updates and patches for Windows 7 until 2020, though, so worry not Windows 7 users. Windows 9 is a welcomed replacement, considering how much users seem to abhor Windows 8. Windows 9 is projected to bring back the familiarity users have lost (and lamented about losing) in Windows 8.
What We Know So Far
Earlier last month, a rumoured leaked photograph of a screenshot from the company’s unreleased operating system made its way online. It features the coveted Start Menu, which also contains familiar aspects of Windows 8 such as the small, square boxes including information such as the weather and news headlines.
According to International Business Times, Microsoft is also experimenting with ‘virtual desktops’, where a single monitor would allow users to move between different deskops. There’s even a possiblity of it including Cortana, the virtual assistant that was released on the Windows Phone to rival that of their closest competitors, though some sources say otherwise.
While Microsoft has confirmed that they will be launching a technical preview for the Windows 9 on September 30th, TechCrunch says that Microsoft will be providing some partners with access to Windows 9 before public release. Hopefully that means more leaked information about the operating system.
It’s a pretty interesting month, with Samsung phablets, three new Lumias, and a brand new iPhone to be released, Windows 9 would be a great way for September to go out with a bang – if it lives up to expectations. And after what they did to Windows 8, they definitely have to.