A bit more info on Windows Blue?

[tezza]

Even though Windows 8 has only been on the market for a short time we already know Microsoft is hard at work on the next version of the OS. The project is codenamed “Windows Blue” and is expected to launch next summer bringing improvements and new features to Windows 8 as well as debuting a new yearly update cycle for Microsoft’s OS.

There now seems to be a bit more info on the next version of Windows due to someone that posted on a Taiwanese forum. Members of that forum have identified the user as a Microsoft official so there might be some truth to what he’s saying but of course you should take this with a grain of salt.

He is supposedly running an alpha version of the next Windows with the version number 9622. Surprisingly he calls this Windows 9 though judging from that version number ( currently Windows 8 is at 9200 ) we think he’s actually talking about Windows Blue, which is supposed to retain the Windows 8 branding once it hits markets.

According to him this next version of Windows will keep the Metro visuals and Start Screen, so no surprises there. However, we are expecting some changes, with users being able to customize their Start Screen more easily with more resizable tiles a la Windows Phone 8.

Another tidbit of info on the UI front is that the Desktop will still be present but it will undergo even more flattening, so perhaps the taskbar will finally stop being translucent and the whole thing will be a bit more cohesive.

Lastly he mentions there will be an update to the kernel which will reach version 6.3. Windows Blue is supposed to bring a few deep changes to the OS and upgrading the kernel does indeed fit the bill.

As we mentioned before we can’t be sure of the accuracy of this info though it is certainly plausible. If we are right though, then this means we only have about 6 months to wait until launch so there are bound to be many leaks, and a lot more info by then.

http://www.neowin.net/news/a-bit-more-info-on-windows-blue

[rudrax]

Windows 8 will flop like vista did :lol:

[Ambrocious]

I have 1 friend who seems to be a fan of Windows 8....but I won't touch it.

[Marik]

> keep metro

> start screen

> still no start button

> killswitch stays so M$ can spy on you and delete your files remotely without your permission

> profit.jpg

the sh!t get's a new name and a slight facelift but at the end of the day it's still sh!t :bag:

they should just terminate the project and recall everything that has windows 8 and sit their fat greedy asses down and work on a way to improve win7 instead of butchering it and start from there

[DKT27]

I'm seeing a bad future of Windows OS. Not everyone is buying the Windows Phones and people are refusing to accept the worst UI in OS history.

Sure, one can add Start Menu back like we do in Windows 8, but for how long? Microsoft is weakening the OS day by day.

[vissha]

With release of Windows Blue, I don't think MS will have partnerships with most PC/Laptop Manufactures, bcoz Most of them didn't like Win8 itself and seen low sales. So naturally, MS will come down and Ballmer will be thrown out like Steven Sinofsky, by shareholders. Then a new CEO will come and everything will be surely fine.

Till then we'll Wait and Pray! Others will Shift to other OS(like Web OS/Linux). HP is having good importance to UI and security and quality. So i think the next version of WebOS will be hit like Win7.

[Ganxxta]

According to him this next version of Windows will keep the Metro visuals and Start Screen, so no surprises there. However, we are expecting some changes, with users being able to customize their Start Screen more easily with more resizable tiles a la Windows Phone 8.

Another tidbit of info on the UI front is that the Desktop will still be present but it will undergo even more flattening, so perhaps the taskbar will finally stop being translucent and the whole thing will be a bit more cohesive.

:huh:

Microsoft needs to stop smoking what they are smoking now.

Thank god we have good alternatives, iOS/Android for mobile devices with real touch UIs and Win7 for real desktop work, Linux for Servers etc.

I guess MS still believes that they can force this 2D, flat crap UI and everyone will finally adapt...

I so hope they will fail with this forcing strategy ;)

[LiLmEgZ]

Windows 8 will flop like vista did :lol:

Its not a flop man... once u learn how to use it, its fine!

[mjall]

I use Windows 8 and I don't see any worth of any criticizm like everyone is talking about; I don't see any difference between windows 7 and 8 except minor graphical changes which pro's call it metro - big deal! so what if the front screen does not load to your desktop, you still can switch within one button to your typical desktop and there has been plenty of third party installations to return your start button plus my machine is running super fast more than any previous windows - sorry guys but I disagree with any critics that windows 8 is a flop;

Windows Vista was as successful as Windows 8 however majority of people read the negative stuff and never tried it

to add one more point to everyone who criticied Vista due to the hardware upgrade - to take note I am still using the same processor I bought since the Vista days to date and guess what, Windows 8 runs a million time better, image I did not have to change my grahpics card also since 6 years and I am playing the latest high res games such as Far Cry 3 - I guess MS saved me big bucks for not spending on upgrading my pc since 6 years now whereas I used to upgrade regularly every 2 years

Staff Note -- Avoid making 2 posts when you can easily post in one . So merged .

[dcs18]

Have myself installed Windows 8 on some old laptops that were not fully compliant with Vista and Windows 7. Guess the reason is the lack of Aero which is the one single element that's the most demanding on the graphics card. :think:

[insanedown58]

Windows 8 is good and all that but a long as they are not giving back support for XDDM, I see no reason for me to switch (or go back) to Windows 8 or Windows "Blue".

[rudrax]

Windows 8 will flop like vista did :lol:

Its not a flop man... once u learn how to use it, its fine!

By default, what comes with windows 8 that sucks..to make it usable some serious tweaks are required..all PC user are not advanced user..

M$, indeed, opened a employment source for a win 8 PC tweaker :lol:

[Ambrocious]

More people need to support the ongoing future development plans for Linux and Ubuntu. I'd really love to make Linux my main OS one day.

[dcs18]

What rudrax just mentioned above is perfectly correct!!!

The important thing to be noted is; whatever works for Windows 7 or even Vista will also work with Windows 8 - however, the bad news is one might, on occasions need to think out of the box (for example, forcing Windows 8 to work in a lack of XDDM driver environment.) Windows 8 has a less demanding hardware requirement when compared to Windows 7 and Vista.

Coming back to what rudrax posted; it's not whether Windows 8 and/or Windows Blue is good for a User or not - but rather, whether that particular User is really good enough for the OS in question. :sneaky:

I recently posted somewhere that Windows 8 is just a mindless inanimate l'Objet de la desire (like my vivacious French teacher) - it's the User who is the Chooser. I, as the end-User needs to decide for myself whether I'm gonna be the Master or remain the Slave.

Those who find themselves over-ruled by this OS or the forthcoming Blue can always make a silent / loud retreat back to Windows 7 or in case of severe slavery back to even XP. :lol:

[Reefa]

windows 8 is a great operating system.well at least once i brought back the start menu.seems to be smoother than 7.and as for spying just turn of smartscreen and all that jumble and u will b fine.not to mention some1 is always spying on u.unless u have a trustable vpn.over and out ^_^

[rajeesh]

Windows 9 Won’t Bring Back the Start Button, to Feature an Upgraded Start Screen

Redmond insiders have previously hinted that Microsoft may launch the next Windows iteration as soon as the next summer to offer it either as free or as a very affordable upgrade.

More rumors on the matter suggest that a new version of Windows has already reached the alpha development stage, so the launch could indeed take place next year.

One of the registered users of a Taiwanese forum claims he is already running Windows 9 alpha build 9622, indicating that the upcoming Windows refresh could stick to the Metro UI and the Start Screen introduced by Windows 8.

Even though he calls the new Windows release “Windows 9,” the user may actually refer to Windows Blue, the first major upgrade for the new Microsoft operating system launch in October this year.

Neowin.net writes that the desktop will remain the main working environment for the PC version of the new Windows version, but it’ll feature several improvements, some aimed at the Taskbar.

The Metro/Modern UI and the Start Screen will continue to be offered, which means that Microsoft doesn’t plan to reintroduce the Start button and the Start Menu in the next Windows version.

Microsoft also plans to make the move to kernel version 6.3, so several other enhancements are also expected.

Of course, Microsoft is yet to comment on this subject, but given the fact that we’re talking about the next Windows version, the company is very likely to remain tight-lipped for the time being.

The Redmond-based technology company, however, seems to stick to the newly-introduced Start Screen that replaces the fairly popular Start Menu. The problem is that plenty of Windows 8 adopters find the Start Screen rather confusing and many have already turned to third-party software solutions designed to bring back the Start button in the new OS.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-9-Won-t-Bring-Back-the-Start-Button-to-Feature-an-Upgraded-Start-Screen-317072.shtml

[RobrPatty]

I'm running Server 2012 and its much faster than 2008R2. All apps work fine. One major thing about Win8 or server2012 is the drivers for my processors are more current than on 7 or 2008.

Slap in a third party start menu and walla you're ready to go.

[dcs18]

Windows 9 Won’t Bring Back the Start Button, to Feature an Upgraded Start Screen

I don't think anybody gives a damn, anymore. ^_^

A dozen or so, other Start Menus are already on offer by 3rd party Developers which have much more features than the native Start Menu built into Windows 7. :rockon:

Advanced Users will use the Start Screen, if it's made more functional & convenient or make efforts to learn how to disable or even destroy it completely.

The n00bs who wont manage any of the above will make a retreat to Windows 7, XP or any other older OS - there's no problem for anybody, to whine about (there are many alternative OS available.) :dunno:

[marke68]

Waits patiently for windows 18 with no start button but is capable of 2160p holographic porn. :D

[Shadowx]

Damn right ridiculous :rockon: Windows 7 :dance:

[dcs18]

Personally, I'd use a 3rd party Start Menu coupled with a Desktop Dock - this way, I wouldn't even have to put with the Start Screen (in case, I didn't happen to like it.)

In other words,

either f@#k what is useless to you and harvest just the new benefits that modernization brings

or

stick with the older "don't fix it if ain't broke" school of thought - the choice is always, yours (whether to whine or dine.)

Me - I prefer to dance with the wolves until there's blood on the dance floor. :rockon:

[november_ra1n]

This is awesome news. People all should adapt changing things in the life, it is simple learning procedure or some people keep moaning, crying, criticizing, complaining about start menu back all their life.!

[LiLmEgZ]

This is awesome news. People all should adapt changing things in the life, it is simple learning procedure or some people keep moaning, crying, criticizing, complaining about start menu back all their life.!

AMEN to that... haters always going to hate tho because they hate having to learn changed shit :(

[psyko666]

This is awesome news. People all should adapt changing things in the life, it is simple learning procedure or some people keep moaning, crying, criticizing, complaining about start menu back all their life.!

AMEN to that... haters always going to hate tho because they hate having to learn changed shit :(

I second that.. still love Windows 8.... ^_^

[ChiliBean]

I'm sticking with Windows 7 since I prefer to have a clutter free workspace instead of tiles. Also like Aero Glass and DeskScapes. Have all I need to use on my toolbar or start menu as you can see from the snapshot.