What Happened to Windows 9?

[Batu69]

With Windows 10 being released to the general public in late July, many people are wondering just what happened to Windows 9, considering the most recent update was titled Windows 8.1. Are the great changes to how Windows works justifying the dramatic shift? Is this just a simple marketing ploy?

• Here are some thoughts and theories about the number jump and the new OS.

• Why the Skip in Number

  The change is attributed to multiple theories in the world and online:

  • It is noted that 9 is an unlucky number in Japan, and Microsoft doesn’t want to lose any of its user base in Japan due to superstition. Thus it jumped ahead to 10.
  • People like the number 10. Microsoft knew it needed to gain back the people’s confidence after the poor reception of Windows 8 and Microsoft thought that using the number 10 would help, if only just a little.
  • Perhaps Microsoft considers Windows 8.1 to be enough of an update and upgrade to Windows 8 that it is an entirely new OS in their eyes.
  • The change is meant to distract us from larger concerns we should have about the system. No one is going to talk about changed privacy policies and procedures if the public is focused on a name.

  While it could be one or any of these theories, it is more important to focus on the product instead of the branding.

• Details and Concerns about Windows 10

  You’ve likely already heard of them, but there are a few features that Windows 10 is now known for. The most talked about one is Cortana, the virtual data assistant that is voice activated and is continuing to improve as time goes on. It is too early to tell about its usefulness, but it would be foolish for Microsoft to cut off its investment now. In addition to this is Microsoft Edge, the latest iteration of Internet Explorer to come shipped with a Windows OS. Finally, we have the number of menu changes and different settings that are far too numerous to mention here; although they are being well-received.

  Yet for all of the talk of improved functionality, the dark cloud that looms over Windows 10 seems to be its terms of service and the default settings of the system. The terms of service effectively give Microsoft the ability to collect any data they wish about your online life, threatening to heavily reduce the functionality of the OS if you do not let them (or use the OS at all if you do not agree to the primary terms and conditions). On top of this, the default settings for data collection are all set so that Microsoft can collect the maximum amount of data possible. These settings should be opt-in instead of opt-out, making many wonder what Microsoft’s motives are.

• Do You Need Protection?

  These privacy concerns make one wonder whether you will be needing protection should you decide to get a free upgrade to Windows 10. While you need the standard security suite and good internet usage habits, you need to be more concerned about your data privacy than ever before. Cybercrime is a growth business, and the growing data collection by programs and services you use every day does not make things easier.

  Many who’ve discovered some of the concerning settings in Windows 10 are changing their OS settings in order to reflect their desire for privacy. You will want to use this helpful guide to lead you to which settings should be investigated. Try to consider your best interests and the ways Microsoft may use the information you give them.

  Many others are finally deciding to invest in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in order to protect their privacy. A VPN is a service that will connect your device to an offsite secure server using an encrypted, tunnel-like connection. This means that no one will be able to track your IP address and no one will be able to know what you are doing on a public network. While the service may only help you to a certain extent when it comes to Windows 10 (some data is connected to your Microsoft account), you will need every other bit of protection you can from hackers, cybercriminals, and unsafe public networks. This guide will help you set one up on Windows 10. You will also want to read some useful information on which VPNs are the best to maintain your privacy.

• It Is Still Windows?

  Despite all of the brand new features and the new ideas contained in the OS (for better or for worse), it is still fundamentally a Windows operating system with the same general flaws and strengths as before. You have to worry about security concerns and privacy issues, but you have more flexibility than many competitors and nearly all programs are compatible with it.

  Most of the “new features” are really just an updated return to how things used to be. You will find more of Windows 7 in there than you will of Windows 8. It will come as no surprise when Windows 10 proceeds to come out with new updates (which you have to install) that mirror those done for older systems. It may be wise to wait and see what happens and stick with your old system for now.

  Windows 9 never technically happened, but what does that matter in the long run? Companies never really cared about naming schemes, and few consumers will really care in a few months. What matters is what we have now, with its strengths and weaknesses. Thank you for reading, and may you better be able to make a decision on whether to change over your system.

Source

[dMog]

windows 9 got lost walking home one afternoon through the enchanted forest.... last seen wearing a red cape and holding a picnic basket ...eye witnesses place th big bad wolf with large eyes and large teeth near the area she went missing.... call crime stoppers if you have information to this disapearance

[coromonadalix]

Simple

M$oft could not keep the win 9 beceause of installation softwares could mistake windows 9 with win 9x series like windows 95, 98.... it was reported.

Google ....

[LeeSmithG]

Microsoft produced the all-singing-all-dancing Windows 9.

They found it was so good and exactly what people wanted, they decided they did not want another XP on their hands.

So they shelved it.

So the tale goes!

[dMog]

my version of events is still pretty good tho lee

[anakin206]

It's easy: Seven, ATE Nine, Ten.

[Holmes]

The red riding hood comment made me laugh hahahaha. There is a problem in alot of third party products source code that could have prevented windows nine from being used. Many third party products source code checks for windows ninety five and ninety eight and that would cause a conflict if windows nine was used.

[Israeli_Eagle]

They simply not wanted anymore to create good versions... :lol:

Crap!

[flash48]

Bill Gates first built a mansion with exactly 95 windows, hence we got Windows 95. His second mansion has 98 windows, which begat Windows 98. His latest guesthouse has exactly 10 windows. Therefore we have Windows 10.

[Holmes]

This has been posted before I remember reading about it on these forums. Ill find the original article and post it here. I cant find the article and that source doesnt give the real reason the unlucky number is not the real reason:

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/191279-why-is-it-called-windows-10-not-windows-9

That shows the real reason and google has tons of images with the real reason to I liked the comment on bill gates first and second mansion pretty clever hahahaha. Its easy seven ate nine hahahaha. This article is crazy:

http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-what-happened-to-windows-9-2014-10

Microsoft exhaustively tested windows eight spending one point twentyfour billion hours on it and they got it wrong by NOT listening to its users. Now they are unfortunately and reluctantly for us they are listening to well and need to back off I think.

[Amigaspace]

In Germany, "nein" means (and sounds) "No", so "Windows Nine" would sound something along the lines of "Windows Fail". Not good, so they skipped to Ten, which sounds like Windows Tan and isn't really that bad, but quite cool and summery.

[Kalju]

I have so far only 6.2.9200.... :pos:

[phillthedrill]

If they wanted to differentiate between Windows 8, 8.1 and Windows 10 at the very least, they should have updated the boot logo to say as such. You have no idea it's Windows 10 until you get to the logon part. Why keep the exact same boot logo as the previous builds?

[Amigaspace]

If they wanted to differentiate between Windows 8, 8.1 and Windows 10 at the very least, they should have updated the boot logo to say as such. You have no idea it's Windows 10 until you get to the logon part. Why keep the exact same boot logo as the previous builds?

This is right, Windows 8.5 would've been more correct, not to mention that the available "Use Start full screen" option reveals the very close connection to Windows 8.0.

[dMog]

seems pretty much a given that no matter what Microsoft would have and could have done to name this operating system you all would have found your own reason to cry about it :) when the real truth is in post number 2

[steven36]

seems pretty much a given that no matter what Microsoft would have and could have done to name this operating system you all would have found your own reason to cry about it :) when the real truth is in post number 2

why they keep asking this question ? Back Almost a year ago Microsoft answered this question it was because .

Microsoft doesn't want people to associate the next version of Windows with the unpopular Windows 8.

http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-what-happened-to-windows-9-2014-10?IR=T

Good thing its not because it does a good job of getting a bad name without windows 8 . :lol:

[dee.pee]

Just because Apple plays since a long time with MacOS X :lol:

[212eta]

Too much mystery

when it comes to the

Windows 10 Origins... :rolleyes:

[steven36]

Its not a mystery when the company itself said why almost a year ago Windows 7 was well received Windows 8 was not , so they didn't want to confuse Windows 8 with there new O/S . The lead engineer of windows 10 and the CEO said this, Anything anyone else writes is just hearsay about it. no wonder Microsoft dont bother answering many questions the media twists it a year latter . :P

So why are you guys still beating a dead horse? Like dMog said they could named it anything and people would still have complained back in the early 2000s they stop using numbers at all . They do what they want they always have . Just like they removed the start menu from windows 8 when everyone still used it :lol:

[Holmes]

Unless you post the source of the lead engineer and the ceo saying it what your saying is hear-say to my friend lawls. I agree they have answered this why dont you people stop posting the same material.

[Akaneharuka]

windows 8.1 8+1=9 isn't it ? :huh:

[LeeSmithG]

windows 8.1 8+1=9 isn't it ? :huh:

No, it is.

You should refrain from asking a negative question, makes zero sense.

8+1=9, ''is it''?

Telephone numbers with a zero is a zero and not 'oh'.

It's something and nothing, not somethink and nuffthink.

I blame t.v. as their quiz readers say the above and as for some of the graduate presenters, wow, how did you get a degree????

I will add, like myself, plenty still know how to speak properly!

[steven36]

windows 8.1 8+1=9 isn't it ? :huh:

Windows 8.1 = Sp1 of windows 8 that's all ..They no longer call major updates to a O/S SP. Windows 8 and windows 8.1 are the same O/S Windows 8.1 is just a update is all.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle

[212eta]

Too much mystery
when it comes to the
Windows 10 Origins... :rolleyes:

It's not a mystery when the company

itself said why almost a year ago...

For God's Sake,

I was Sarcastic... :rolleyes: