News on Windows 9

Here are some tidbits of information on the upcoming next Windows release from the usually well-informed Thurrott:

I agree that Microsoft will do whatever they can to try and make people forget the abomination of an OS known as Windows 8 ever existed. I am curious, however, how far they will go to do so.

See above; it is clear that everything associated with Windows 8.x is tainted, down to that lame new Windows icon they had invented, and the entire "ModernUI" design language. It is going to be interesting to see how they will deal with this challenge.

A new major OS release less than three years after the release of the previous one, which had seen a badly failed attempt at an emergency fix after about one year. That says it all.

[Emphasis mine]

Yep. Windows 8 was by far the worst disaster ever to hit Microsoft, and it was self-inflicted, too. In addition, it came at the worst possible time. Personally, I think we are seeing the beginnings of Microsoft becoming the next IBM. Just as with IBM, we are talking about a process that will take years, decades, even, to unfold, but the writing is on the wall.

 

I don't give a rat's a** about anything Paul Thurrott writes anymore. Completely lost respect for him as a level-headed and trustworthy commentator on all things Microsoft when he lost his mind and completely swallowed the company line regarding Windows 8.

Just read his remarks at the bottom of this article where he pretty much dismisses the loss of backup features in Windows 8 in a rather condescending and ill-considered manner:

SMH

 

Vista, ME, Bob, Zune, Bing, the list goes on...

The only things MS has going for it right now are:
- Windows
- Xbox
- Office
- Visual Studio
- Skydrive
- Skype
- Hotmail

Nearly everything else they have tried failed. Hotmail, Windows and Office are being dwindled everyday by Google's offerings.

 

Windows 9 = Windows 8.1 + SPx

 

I can only hope they have learnt their lesson from Windows 8. The interface is not for PC's no matter how hard they try to make it.

Go back to Windows 7 and innovate from there.

Thats only the consumer face of MS. Googles got nothing on the business side (Sharepoint, SQL, etc)

 

Oh I don't disagree with you; whenever he writes something that's his own thoughts, and that he didn't hear from somebody else, it's usually nonsense. However, he does have some connections, and he is usually not far away from the truth when he just reports information that others have given him. But, yes, the quotes you have given paint a pretty clear picture...

 

I still get shivers when I think of Windows ME.

 

Great news for people who already bought Win8 , At least they should allow us to remove the stupid modern interface and get the full start menu back, I have two Win8 machines with touchscreens and i only use the modern interface because i have to use it to change the setting, wifi, brightness ect.

Microsoft need to start listening to the Consumer.

John.

 

I read in another article that Windows 8.2 aka Windows 9 will be issued in 3 versions:

1) Traditional Windows with Start Menu
2) Windows with an enhanced Metro UI
3) Enterprise Edition

 

aka Windows 7

 

Sticking with Windows 7 until 2020 until they can finally impress me.

 

Making the start-menu-versus-start-screen question a different version of Windows, not a settings toggle, would be a dumb move. Some people do like the live tile updates (email feed, next calendar appointment, news updates, weather, etc all glanceable in one place), and others may want their traditional PC to have the same UI as their convertible tablet for the sake of consistency. Having a Win-7-esque UI ship as the only option on traditional PC form factors is just as limiting for "user choice" as Win 8.0 was.

That said, I'm sure most of what we're hearing right now is speculation and individual commentator's hopes, not concrete details.

 

Is Windows Threshold (or Windows 9) a new standalone OS or a free update for Windows 8.1?

 

That is extremely unlikely.

 

If you go by this all I have to say is sometimes I hate when I am right.

 

a link;
What Windows 9 Must Do To Avoid Flopping Like Windows 8 - Forbes

 

This is the most important revleant theme that should first be meet....

 

So will this next "update" be free for Windows 8 owners like 8.1 was? If they really want people to forget windows 8, make windows 9 a free upgrade from windows 8.

Well its Microsoft, go figure lol.

 

The chances of that happening are zero, to a very good approximation. You may, however, get a very good deal on the upgrade, similar to what they did for Win8, and even with that deal nobody wanted Windows 8. For Windows 9, however, chances are that there's going to be lots of people who were waiting for this, so there's no reason to offer a particularly good deal.

 

The one thing that always stuck out like a sore thumb regarding Windows 8 was the lack of polish, consistency and how the UI and the multi-desktop was implemented. Dealing with Hot-Corners is something I hope no software maker ever tries again even if you can switch it off. With Windows 7 you were allowed to pick and choose on how you wanted the setup to be and upon installation you set things up accordingly.

I still chuckle how Windows 8 tried to be so kewl with all the auto this and that. Funny how even signing in with my Microsoft account Windows 8 could not tell what time zone I was in. If you used MSE with Windows 7 you could easily right click on a file to check to see if anything suspicious was going to be launched.

Windows 8 took care of that by making things automatic and Windows Defender only took action after the fact. Windows Defender preferred to run and scan automatically but you still get prompts to scan your system. Why?

While those are just a snippet of my complaints there a few things I like that it does. One in particular is the move to a consumption OS but as I said many times, that should be for a separate product so they can refine it more rather than the Swiss Army Knife approach the tried. I thought the Windows 8 built in apps were quite nice and handy. I can't say the same for the 3rd party Apps on Microsoft's store. Most of them were an annoyance and just drove you to use either the iOS or Android version. The one thing Windows 8 accomplished was to get me to give OS X another try as I used it before. It's not the cats meow all the Mac crowd makes it out to be but to Apple's credit the integration between the OS and their App Store is much better than Microsoft's but still pales in comparison with Apple's iOS App Store.

I have no problems with trying Windows 9 and i'm pulling for MS as I have a lot of respect for what they do. They need to listen better to their consumers. Hopefully they got the message.

 

I hope they make Metro UI optional, kinda like Media Center. Also, maybe bring back Aero window borders? Cause it sure looked better than the whole flat design thing...

 

Don't hold your breath M$ hasn't admitted to learning anything from this debacle nor will they ever until they admit they didn't listen to the 99%. Only then will they really fix the problem. Give users a Windows 7 desktop mode install or Metro UI installation options and from there they can customize however they feel til the cows come home. Failing this OsX will most likely come to fill that void and say look at us we have two different O/S platforms but they function and work fine together use us Apple OSx. Apple two O/S co-exist and can communicate which each other and guess what users of Apple love it so they did something right....right....(pun)

 

If you prefer OSX, by all means, buy an OSX machine. I've owned some in the past and they're perfectly nice.

But if you're predicting that OSX will overtake Windows, we're not headed in that direction. Mac sales have been down nearly every single quarter since October 2012 (when Win8 launched). iOS and Android are damaging OSX PC sales just like they're damaging Windows PC sales.

 

Actually according to an article posted on several Mac sites, Mac sales saw a slight increase in sales in 2013 vs PC's sold. I do agree with you that in order for OS X to become mainstream, Microsoft would have to exit the PC business and that's not happening.

I recently bought a Mac Mini and the machine is nice as well as the OS. It has been awhile since i've used OS X and I had a chuckle when I saw the UI similarities between OS X and Linux.

 

Isn't it optional already? Using Windows 8.1 (have native boot to desktop mode without hacks) and Classic Start Menu here, it's easy to install and makes me only see the Metro interface if _I_ want to and then in moderation (Stardock ModernMix is inexpensive and makes Metro apps run in windows in desktop mode). But all those functions should have been provided by MS from the start.

 

No that isn't a true Windows 7 desktop setup that it fakes a Windows 7 desktop but switches to Metro from my understanding it isn't a real desktop setup.

Who said I was going to buy one just stating the obvious if M$ doesn't get it's act together Apple will fill that void even if they have small market shares...just look at Ipod and Iphone...you tell me who is ahead in this.....For Apple to really beat M$ is to to let M$ get "Foot in Mouth" disease...and cause their own failures....

 

True but not very significant. Their sales are declining at a significant rate...they're just not declining QUITE as fast as Windows PCs. Apple's growth market is the iPad, not the Mac.

Windows 8 has a "real desktop setup" whether you run a third-party launcher or not. I'm comparing my F23 destkop replacement running Win 8.1 to how it was running Win7 on the same machine. The programs are the same as Win 7; the window management is the same as Win 7; and the taskbar is the same as Win 7. The real difference is in the one second it takes me to type [win] "excel" [enter], I see a full-screen overlay instead of a quarter-screen menu. That doesn't make the subsequent two hours I spend working on the Excel document into working on a "fake desktop."

 

It's not true completely it doesn't boot to a desktop UI environment that is something W8 screw up on. And to use third unsecured party software to make a Windows 7 Start menu when M$ already has enough problems with security updates is asking for the Fox to watch the Hen house and expect the Fox not to go Poultry crazy??? Real difference is Windows 7 gets to the Desktop and I can start working right off the bat and not have to find my shortcuts. That's the beauty of Windows 7 I can see what I create without all the clutter of useless other stuff I don't need. I have my complete Windows 7 desktop with the Icons I need not something M$ wants me to have and I can customize it to my heart's content. Oh and I don't need those weather widgets when I have my Android to do that for me no thanks M$ all those does is waste valuable memory and HDD/SSD space for something worthless.

 

I guess you haven't tried Windows 8.1?

 

But that isn't a true desktop UI in Windows 8.1 and the so-called start menu is nothing more than shortcuts back to the Start Page. You are still dealing with two environments albeit you can now hide one if you like but you could also do that with 3rd party apps like "StartIsBack, Start8 and others". There are still certain games I have that will not run Windows 8.1 because it's incompatible with the desktop environment.

 

I'm old enough to know that every other release of Windows is a good one, so I have high hopes for Winniner. Microsoft's actions with win 8, however, caused me personally to look at what I need from a computer and my usage patterns. I'm not a power user by any means; the most stressing thing I do to my computers is game on them, at stock no less (for shame!).

My view at the time was MS wasn't just going for the touch gimmick; they were actively trying to cultivate an app-based eco system to further peddle their software wares and take a cut from others, ala osx. As for the UI, I (luckily) did not own a w8 machine but had to use them at work for a new employee and also aided a few friends. I've spent enough hours with them, albeit not in a power user workmode, to form an opinion. All i can say is that the design decisions they went with would have forced me, personally, to significantly alter how I work and play on a computer.

As a result, while I am optimistic for Winniner, I am in the process of acquiring parts for a monster desktop (780ti and an unlocked hexacore) which will get w7 installed on it. My sager is now 1 year old and still running strong at stock. Between those two systems, I'll be able to play through my back catalogue (175 games and counting) for the next decade, maybe longer. Seeing as how the majority of games I enjoy are single player, I could conceivably take either computer offline once theoretical win 7 support ends and still use it for it's intended purpose. I've managed to take pretty care of my systems over the years; my old gateway in my sig still works fine, just doesn't game. I just found my old thinkpad x61, which I am looking to bring back to life and install Linux on....which brings me to my next point.

Linux has always had a small minority share of consumer (not pro) market, but I hope that it continues to grow with the introduction of Steam OS. Because of win 8, admittedly non-techy people like myself are starting to take the time to learn more about it. Expect to see my on the thinkpad/linux forums in the future.

All other work I do, amazingly enough, could get done on my phone or on a tablet. Any future $400-$500 system would surely suffice.

And yes, I actually thought about all this, simply due to my start menu disappearing.

 

Maybe you didn't see what I replied to. My point is that you can boot to desktop in W8.1.

I stopped using the start menu when W7 came, the taskbar is all I need (Yes, YMMW).
I open the Start about once a week, usually to search for something.

So yeah, while I personally do like W8, I still can't figure out why µS forced the new UI on all users, especially these days, with dropping desktop sales.

 

Nothing new here,,M$ will make new operating system every 2 years or so..

Cheers
3Fees

 

OMG, if I have o live through this every 2 years or so I'll never see 60'. And yes I'm getting close..........................

 

HP Cites "Popular Demand" for Bringing Windows 7 Back

 

To Metro 8.1 it still isn't a true Windows 7 desktop interface so let's not get ahead of the horse here. I myself am personally fine with with using and working with Windows 7 interface and if I want all those blocks I use my Ipad or Android for that. M$ should stick what make them and their business a Windows Desktop GUI that is what sells Windows not tablet UI aka Metro that never took off and worse crash landed instead....

 

I'm not. It's just that you CAN boot to desktop, and that's all I'm trying to say.

 

Again people that don't remember all my other posting. I used the Preview of Windows 8 could one remember that. And that was more then enough to disdane me from getting Windows 8 or 8.1 or 8.2 or 8.xxx whatever....version they like to try to sugar coat as replacement for Windows 7. Oh yeah, I went back to Windows 7x64 Sp1 of which I am typing on right now to reply back. Windows 8.1 didn't bring back a full functional Windows 7 start menu desktop.

That is also a false tail chasing we need to acknowledge if you want a real Start Menu/Desktop Windows 7 is currently the last of the true Start Menu/Desktop or until M$ gets smart and bring back what those like me and there probably more wanted a Desktop or both full Desktop aka Windows 7 but also a install version of Metro aka Windows 8 co-existing together where you can switch or install one interface or the other. That take a rocket scientist to think to do and users would gladly buy it heck even I would go for it. This isn't debate with you but that the mindset at M$ fails to comprehend what a massive failure it did when it did this think users will accept this without forethought that users programs are still working and why would they use something that is incompatible with their software so remember M$ O/S isn't the only thing running on the Desktop or Laptop but other software as well and if the O/S breaks those programs even if those updates say it work with W8 that will drive users away alot faster then the debate Desktop or Metro.

 

Without comment: Windows 7 popular demand - Bing

 

Which I still don't want, but you already know that.

 

and

You can not blame the OEM's as they have toted the line long enough IMHO. While Windows 8 is not solely to blame for PC sales decline it is not helping matters at all. Since OS/UI or even office software no longer requires more system resources than of the systems from Vista days new PC demand has been diminishing. The economy is not helping matters either.

 

So will Windows 7 notebooks not have an Touchscreen? , I never use my touchscreen, I like it for one reason, it`s easy to clean an edge to edge hard glass panel than an recessed soft lcd panel.

John.

 

I think touch can be used with windows 7 just not as extensively as with Windows 8. There were plenty of tablets a while back for Windows 7 they just never took off.

 

Well, now, what do you know? This is fascinating:

This kind of a complete and utter repudiation of an OS is truly unheard of. Vista was universally loved compared to this...

Yep, looks like the other shoe has now dropped, too, and things are unraveling for Win8. Wow. Just wow.

P.S.: By the way, here's a counter point by Ed Bott: HP bringing back Windows 7 PCs? Not so fast... While Ed has the facts right (probably, anyway), he does overlook the symbolics of exactly how HP is promoting their move, which is, in fact, the real story behind the story.

 

I was browsing the Alienware website a little while ago, and Windows 7 is the default OS for its machines as well. Same goes for many of the custom Sager/Clevo builders and resellers.

 

It's called Windows 7 SP1 is what they should release to help the O/S get a bigger market share but they wanted fast money on a Blunder ballamer pet project that shot itself in the foot faster then it could get out of the door. No a Windows 7 couldn't stop PC decline but putting a poorly made Windows 8 just help accelerate it even more. Mac sales were down as well but you don't see them let that affect them. So I say this was inevitable to happen it's how you position yourself and your Software especially the Windows O/S that will show people you are still there and will keep going that is what will make sales for you not a shinning new O/S pet project you want to make and sell for profit and forgetting it's use the buyers that got you were you are now. As for HP bringing it back that will actually if they do will improve their market share as people will most likely as HP now that they have W8 to get Windows 7 version so they can wipe W8 off the face of the earth so they can live again with their PC.

 

The primary issue I can see from real world people I know is they refuse to upgrade to a win 8 machine. While the B&M stores low cost systems are almost all Win 8 machines with no real win 7 alternatives. Now if HP at these stores starts putting low cost win 7 machines then I know if at least a dozen that will be sold right off.

I will agree we need something that will start pushing present hardware to start a sales increase. Touch for PC's is not it though.

 

I'll just notice that the above "scenario" slips in the unspoken assumption that adding another user interface was the only major innovation that could have possibly been added to Windows, so that, without a new GUI, no real innovation of Windows had been possible.

Needless to say, this assumption is patently false, and bears no resemblance to reality. There are many directions Microsoft could have taken Windows, many of which could have addressed far, far more pressing issues with Windows, such as the DPI issues that are now surfacing for the new high-resolution screens that people seem to be interested in. Instead, Microsoft chose to take Windows into a direction that nobody had asked for.

 

IMHO the biggest mistake was trying to make Win8 everything for everyone -- touch and desktop rolled into one confusing mess of an OS. Not sure why MS did not offer two versions or one base desktop version with an add-on for touch users, but I hope Win9 does end up with multiple flavors for different users. Then again, with MS being run by a salesman and not an engineer it's hardly surprising that the company tried to offer everything for everyone in one package.

 

I will believe this when I see it in working fashion and others can do what they claim it can do but without a true Start Menu function as Windows 7 and those sales will plummet even farther.