Windows 8.1 Update 2 and Windows 9
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Windows 8.1 Update 2 to arrive through the Windows Store, and be 3GB in size?
Windows 8.1 Update 2 (or Windows 8.2 as some people are calling it) and Windows 9 are the two big upcoming updates to the Windows operating system. We've heard rumors, we've all read reports, and we've all seen the leaked information. So when are these two updates set to arrive? Let's recap what we know so far.
It's almost common knowledge now that Microsoft are currently developing a second update for Windows 8.1, which should further improve the operating system before Windows 9 launches next year. Currently, not much is known about Windows 8.1 Update 2 other than the fact that it will arrive in August-September of this year, however today new information may have surfaced regarding its size and delivery method.
Before we continue, we must stress that the information you're about to lay your eyes upon could be false, so take it with a grain of salt. According to a user at EightForums, a Microsoft Rep has unveiled that Microsoft are currently in the process of training its support employees for Windows 8.1 Update 2.
The rep claims that Update 2 will land in August/September of this year, and that it will be delivered through the Windows Store much like Windows 8. The rep also claims that Windows 8.1 Update 2 will be a hefty 3GB in size, making us believe that Update 2 won't be like Windows 8.1 Update 1, but more like Windows 8.1 as a whole compared to Windows 8. 3GB is somewhat a significant increase in size compared to Update 1, which maxed at around 700MB.
Of course, the user on the forum could just be making things up, and we're yet to confirm if other Microsoft Reps are claiming similar things. So, we advise that you take what you've read here with a grain of salt until we can get more concrete information regarding the matter. Delivering through the Windows Store is interesting, as the first time around it really didn't work as well as many had hoped it would. Windows 8.1 launched in the Store with errors and super slow download speeds, which many users were not happy about.
In the meantime, what are you hoping for in Windows 8.1 Update 2? It was recently rumored that the Start Menu, that was originally supposed to arrive in Windows 8.1 Update 2, won't be making it's way to our computers until 2015 with Windows 9, so a Start Menu is off the list for now.
Windows 9, on the other hand, is a bit blurred. We've heard various reports stating that it will make an appearance in April of 2015. In Windows 9, we are expected to see modern apps in a window, allowing us to run these apps on the desktop. You will also be able to pin modern apps to the desktop taskbar which will launch in window mode too. This feature will further blur the line between the desktop and the modern environment.
The Start Menu, which Microsoft had originally promised for Windows 8.1 Update 2, is now pegged for release in 2015, likely with Windows 9. Microsoft hasn't explained why the Start Menu was pushed back, but we do know for sure that it will be returning. We've embedded the video of the new Start Menu in action below, in case you haven't seen it yet. The lack of a Start Menu and Start Button was the center of controversy for Windows 8. Microsoft brought back the Start button with Windows 8.1.
Microsoft is also working on Cortana, the digital voice assistant for Windows Phone 8.1, and is planning on bringing her to Windows. Rumor claims we might see Cortana in Windows 9.
To recap, we are expecting Windows 8.1 Update 2 in a few months (roughly August or September 2014) and Windows 9 in April of 2015. It's time to get excited, as these dates are rapidly approaching. We will have in-depth coverage as well as hands-on reviews of both Update 2 and Windows 9 when they becomes available.
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