Microsoft Windows 9 slated for April 2015 release

Computing ^ | 01/14/2014 | Stuart Sumner

[SeekAndFind]

Software giant Microsoft is rumoured to be intending to release the next update to its Windows operating system suite in April 2015.

It is apparently currently codenamed 'Threshold' within Microsoft, although once released the client operating system will be called Windows 9. This is likely to be an attempt by the firm to differentiate the new OS from Windows 8, and its later iteration Windows 8.1, which experienced disappointing sales and poor user feedback.

Among the changes rumoured to be part of the new release is the return of the Start menu, which was controversially left out of Windows 8 - a move that proved unpopular with customers.

The wider Threshold project will also see updates released for Windows Phone and Xbox One.

With the release of Windows 9 expected in spring 2015, some firms have expressed concern that this relatively short release cycle for new operating systems will prove hard to manage.

Simon Townsend, chief technologist for Europe at AppSense, said Windows 9's arrival will pose a challenge for IT departments.

"The announcement of Windows 9, due out next year, demonstrates how enterprise IT will have support not just multiple devices or multiple platforms, but now multiple versions of Windows. The quicker release of Windows operating systems moves us away from the 15-year-old 'managed' Windows XP estate and to a place where multiple flavours of OS will be present," said Townsend.

"Longer term this will force enterprise IT to change the way they manage their estate. There will be a need to move away from managing devices and platforms at the OS level, and instead look at how applications, data and users are managed regardless of the device," he argued.

Windows 9 will become a focus for the new CEO at Microsoft, when he or she is selected, but it will also be the first major release to be developed wholly under the leadership of operating systems group VP Terry Myerson, who previously led the Windows Phone group.

[SkyDancer]

Why? MSoft still hasn’t gotten right yet?

[Carpe Cerevisi]

In before the Apple and Linux is better reference!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

There will be a need to move away from managing devices and platforms at the OS level, and instead look at how applications, data and users are managed regardless of the device," he argued.

That there is BS from MS.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Why? MSoft still hasn’t gotten right yet?

They’ve been asking this question since Windows 3.1...

[Disambiguator]

There will be a need to move away from managing devices and platforms at the OS level, and instead look at how applications, data and users are managed regardless of the device," he argued.

So, does that mean adding a psychic layer to the OSI model? That would be the ultimate in abstraction.

[RBStealth]

I own Win 8, hated it;
Put Win 8.1 on with a program that restores the classic start button “Classic Shell”. Just fine now!
“Classic Shell” comes with enough configuration parameters that all the nonsense can be tamed or altered. So that you end up with a fine ‘mouse-operating OS’.

[angryoldfatman]

Let me start this off by saying I have been a Windows guy since Windows 3.0. Back in the days of 5 1/4" floppy disks and Intel 386 chips.

I happen to believe that Windows XP was the best damned OS that Microsoft ever made. Windows 7 is OK too, just bloated like the Goodyear blimp.

With all that in mind, let's dive in here...

Among the changes rumoured to be part of the new release is the return of the Start menu, which was controversially left out of Windows 8 - a move that proved unpopular with customers.

Hey Redmond morons, it's not just the Start button and menu that we miss. We hate, hate, HATE the Metro interface. It's not sexy. It's not innovative (the Unity GUI on Linux is where you stole the idea from, you imbeciles, and guess what - IT SUCKED TOO). It's stupid, because you had idiots design it and/or idiots in charge of artsy/fartsy dolts who designed it.

Bring back the Windows 7 interface. Hell, bring back the XP interface. THERE. WAS. NOTHING. WRONG. WITH. IT.

You sonsab****es should have to be on the phone with little old ladies trying to figure out your goofy-a$$ GUI. If I was a deity, I'd make that your Hell. Trying to explain that crap to little old ladies. For eternity.

The wider Threshold project will also see updates released for Windows Phone and Xbox One.

You guys missed the boat on phones. Suck it up, cut your losses, and go home, okay?

With the new X-Box, you're now busy screwing the pooch on the only decent thing outside of operating systems that you had. Great ideas, guys, proposing that Orwell telescreen on there so that Big Brother Obama and Big Sister Hillary will see what you're doing every hour of the day. TV, sports, Call of Duty, sports, TV, TV, TV... hey guys, did you know that - this may come as a shock now, so hold on - did you know that there are BOO-KOODLES of other companies in the TV business, and who were there even before most of your programmers were twinkles in Vishnu's eye? I know, right? Color me shocked!

"The announcement of Windows 9, due out next year, demonstrates how enterprise IT will have support not just multiple devices or multiple platforms, but now multiple versions of Windows. The quicker release of Windows operating systems moves us away from the 15-year-old 'managed' Windows XP estate and to a place where multiple flavours of OS will be present," said Townsend.
"Longer term this will force enterprise IT to change the way they manage their estate. There will be a need to move away from managing devices and platforms at the OS level, and instead look at how applications, data and users are managed regardless of the device," he argued.

Jesus Henry, what the hell does any of this gobbledegook even MEAN? *facepalm*

I'll tell you what it means. It means the super ultra tech gurus don't have a clue. Not one. And when I become Emperor of the World, their bodies will be impaled and put on display in front of all of my non-vacation palaces. And then the impaling poles will be set on fire. And then I'll have Kate Upton and Jennifer Lawrence dance naked by the firelight. Because f*** you, Microsoft, that's why.

Windows 9 will become a focus for the new CEO at Microsoft, when he or she is selected, but it will also be the first major release to be developed wholly under the leadership of operating systems group VP Terry Myerson, who previously led the Windows Phone group.

*double facepalm*

Release the hounds.

[Cicero]

I use a keyboard and a mouse, and I do NOT want a system that is primarily touch-screen.

If they want to do a system that works on iPads AND laptops, that’s just fine with me. But the kind of stuff I do does NOT work with a touchscreen.

And I don’t want a bunch of big, ugly shortcuts to programs. I want a desktop and small icons. Because I’m not running a smartphone, and I don’t intend to.

Two alternatives, fine. Screw the desktop users, they can learn to love tiny touches—that’s a pretty good way for MS to commit suicide.

[NorthMountain]

Hounds??? To the devil with that!

Release the KRAKEN!!!!

[Sir Napsalot]

So they finally admit Windows 8 is a lousy idea?

[esoxmagnum]

Holy Sh*t, that was the best MS diatribe I have ever read!

Kudos for you! I have to wonder if you are Dennis Miller. That was some serious smack down combined with humor!

I tip my hat.

[Pearls Before Swine]

A start menu does not make an operating system. Need more info!

[elkfersupper]

I own Win 8, hated it; Put Win 8.1 on with a program that restores the classic start button “Classic Shell”. Just fine now!

Me too.

Memo to Microsoft: I want my XP back.

[upchuck]

Massive megabump! Awesome.

[minnesota_bound]

They need to get rid of metro.
Add back ALL that was taken out of XP and 7.
Just try changing the font in Windows 8.... you cannot unless you download a 3rd party program or go into the registry.

Try changing the white text on the taskbar buttons. You cannot if you still want the thumbnail popup.
There are many others.

[ansel12]

I went from XP to 8.1 and like it.

I just googled the tweaks I wanted and applied them, my start button is fine, I only see the tiles that I want on the start page which works for me since I used to use desktop icons, now I skip sign in and boot directly to desktop, and only visit the start page to click my program tiles (icons).

I downloaded Classic Shell but decided to skip it and just spend a little time adjusting to 8.1, by the second day, I deleted the unused Classic Shell.

[BfloGuy]

A start menu does not make an operating system. Need more info!

Do you really need to be told that an operating system, no matter how wonderful, powerful, and inspiring is of little good if the users find its interface confusing, unintuitive, and annoying?

It's all about the users.

[aimhigh]

So, does that mean adding a psychic layer to the OSI model?

I suspect it means we will run all our software off the NSA Cloud.

[aimhigh]

Put Win 8.1 on with a program that restores the classic start button “Classic Shell”. Just fine now!

Decades ago, I heard a Microsoft guy gave a seminar promoting Office. He boasted that Microsoft software gave you 3 to 4 ways of doing everything, thereby allowing the software to match various user preferences for doing things. Some like function keys, some mouse clicks, etc. Windows 8 violated this methodology by eliminating many of the primary methods people were used to. That's never a win. Especially when most of us don't have a touch screen monitor.