New day, new information on the upcoming Windows 9 operating system. Reports that reached the web yesterday have suggested that Microsoft is considering launching a free version of Windows 9 that would obviously appeal to more users and boost the adoption of the modern operating system.
First and foremost, Windows 9 is believed to be on the table for a spring 2015 launch, approximately one year after the debut of Windows 8.1 Update.
If these reports are accurate, it means that Microsoft manages to complete the development of Windows 9 in approximately one year, although everyone expects to see some pretty big changes in this new OS release.
Information provided by Russian leaker WZor states that Windows 9 would indeed be offered with a freeware license, but it’s not clear if he refers to the version offered to OEMs to install on their devices or on the package that’s shipped to users after it reaches RTM.
Citing sources close to the development plans, ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley adds that while Microsoft is indeed expected to offer a free version of Windows 9, there’s one major catch.
Basically, Microsoft is working to align the Windows SKUs offered to OEMs and users, so in the end, everyone would get the same versions.
At the same time, Redmond is also planning to develop a new SKU that would be specifically optimized to work on Windows Phones and smaller tablets. It’s believed that such a version would come without a desktop, so it could be specifically aimed at touch-capable devices running on ARM. Foley claims that this ARM-based version is the one that could indeed be offered free of charge.
Windows 9 versions coming with a desktop are very unlikely to be offered free of charge, she adds.
This isn’t, however, the first time when we’re hearing that Microsoft is pondering the possibility to make Windows free of charge. A few months ago, it was rumored that Microsoft could launch a so-called Windows 8.1 Update 1 with Bing that would include Bing branding and show ads in order to help Microsoft monetize the operating system.
