New leaks for Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 operating system have been frequent in the past few weeks, and the latest leaked version of Windows shows us a Windows 8.1 Pro Preview version. Windows 8.1 is expected to bring the desktop and mobile worlds together meaning that secondary OS’ like Windows 8 RT will be scrapped in favour of a unified solution. Windows 8.1 represents the first major overhaul of Windows 8 since its incredibly disappointing release performance – sales of Windows 8 have been very low, and Dell have even blamed Microsoft for their declining financial situation that Windows 8 has apparently caused.

Windows 8.1 is now more than guaranteed to be Microsoft’s next operating system release and we can expect that it will be released in September according to industry sources. Previous launch rumours had suggested August but now September apparently seems more accurate for Microsoft’s launch plans.

June is still expected to bring the first beta launch of Windows 8.1 (Blue) as the Microsoft build developer conference takes place in June (26th to the 28th) in San Francisco (in the Moscone center). Microsoft is planning to release only a single testing build of Windows 8.1 so it can bring the final product to market faster. Sources suggest Microsoft is already half way there with the refresh as it has reached one of the two development stages.

So it looks like everything is proceeding full steam ahead with the Windows 8.1 OS but one thing that does strike me is there is still no start bar. Since this was one of the main criticisms against Microsoft, for the desktop version of Windows 8, you would of thought they might be bringing it back due to popular “protest” as it were – evidently not.

http://www.eteknix.com/new-leaked-version-of-windows-8-1-launch-date-september/

They'll learn eventually. Just give them a bit more time, and Microsoft will learn...

ehh.. bring on windows 9, 8 is a wash and i never want it touching my computer or other devices.

Will wait for 9.

windows 8 is a catastrophe. I had to call ms several times the other day, and they couldn't help me with the issues i was having with windows 8. They were rude and hung up. I filed a complaint with the BBB.

i would rather have a totally redone OS than an updated 8. They failed with 8.

I just wish 7 was still widely available, ordering a laptop at the moment is a pain.

Was there ever a 7.1?

I love Windows 8 and the new Start Screen. I have all my favorite programs in nicely labeled columns.

If Win8 had an optional Start button it would be perfect. I installed a start button, but most clueless consumers wouldn't know how to themselves. MS just needs to give it as an option and everyone would be happy.

"Would of thought". Ugh.

LOL no please no start button.... just axe the desktop already.... it's a shitty unproductive old school concept that should have been gone since vista.... people are just to hard headed to evolve.... the same shit was going on when XP was released..... how many time did I walkthrough people to understand the OS because they didn't have the patience to make the effort.... nothing new MS has always had bad press when they did something radically new.... yet people adapt where do you think the aero interface comes in win7 yeap that's right vista..

WIN8 is far superior to win 7 it does everything better, faster and in a more stable manner.... the only reason I still use the desktop is because some programs switch me to it.... a start button for what??? you have the start menu in front of your eyes at launch in a way more readable manner.... I do have a touch screen but I'm in keyboard/mouse mode 90% of the time.... there is nothing awkward about it.... I used keyboard shortcuts (the most efficient way to navigate anything on a PC BTW) for the pas 20+ years of my life and still use those same shortcuts today just as easily... nothing has changed, actually they added up on top of it to make it even better and faster to navigate....

saying you don't like the new win 8 is one thing.... saying it's broken is just false... you are just refusing to adapt to a better more powerful system that is completely in phase with the present and furthermore with the future of computing.... comparing it to vista is a joke.... heck even vista wasn't as bad as people make it to be, it was the OEMs that didn't do hardware suited for it.... but if you had the right rig it was working just fine.... win8 has none of those vista issues... it is just different and going in the right direction for the future whether you like it or not....

can't wait to have those updates every year... waiting for 8.1 and Gemini for office... that gonna be sweet to have the 50/50 screen in metro and even better a 25/25/25/25 with excel, word, IE 10, and hulu/Netflix open at the same time.... and see that ugly old-school desktop disappear in oblivion little by little.... about time.....