Microsoft is widely expected to reveal the latest iteration of its operating system at an event to be held in San Francisco tomorrow.
Although the company is being coy about what will be revealed, commentators note it has an opportunity to break away from the debacle that was Windows 8.
The software giant launched Windows 8 to much fanfare almost two years ago, but the system proved to be disappointing as it removed the Start button, and added several features that many people complained were incomprehensible. Windows 8 came out three years after 7, which was seen as a vast improvement on Vista.
Now, Microsoft is expected to unveil the technical preview of what is being called Windows 9, a system that will reportedly see the return of the Start button, the removal of the Charms bar, and the arrival of virtual desktops.
The event - at which the company will unveil "what's next for Microsoft and the enterprise" - will be an opportunity for it to shrug off Windows 8, and reveal radical new features, without which the first software to be released under CEO Satya Nadella will just be another iteration of the OS.
Changes afoot?
The beta OS, dubbed "Threshold", is expected to be available for general download this year, and will be available in multiple languages and in both 32- and 64-bit versions. Microsoft is set to launch a developer and consumer preview at the same time.
In addition, instead of releasing new builds of Windows 9 each time they are ready, Microsoft will reportedly keep the original testing version up to date with new features as and when they are completed.
Other buzz suggests the full version of Windows 9 - a completely new OS - will be made available next year, and should not be an expensive upgrade from Windows 8 (with some reports saying this will be free). Windows 8.2 may be released first, or could be shelved, depending on which source is correct. PC Advisor reports features such as a unified notification centre, multi-desktop and the start menu appear in videos leaked online, although these could change by the time of the official unveil.
Ditch the '8'
Swift Consulting CEO and tech blogger Liron Segev says the market is "definitely" expecting a new OS, although this has not been officially confirmed. He notes Microsoft needs to move away from the "disaster" that was Windows 8, and may go with an actual name instead of a release number this time. "They've got to move away from 8."
Segev expects Microsoft to move to a hybrid OS that brings back the old feel, but also allows people to drag-and-drop using tiles if they want the tactile, mobile experience. He notes mobile and desktops cannot be separated, especially considering Microsoft's focus on the cloud and mobility, and the company has to offer a unified solution that cuts across devices, as it does with Xbox 1.
However, Segev says, unless Microsoft launches "insane" new features, this will be "just another OS coming out of Microsoft". He notes it has a captive market and users do not generally eagerly anticipate new releases, unlike in the phone market.
World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck says the big issue Microsoft has faced is a lack of enthusiasm for the previous build, and is under immense pressure from continuous upgrades to iOS and Android platforms. He says 8 "tried to be all things to all devices," but missed the target.
Microsoft needs to address the issue holding back acceptance across platforms, and speed up iterations because two years to the preview is a long time in today's world, says Goldstuck. He adds the company needs to market its cross-device operability much better.
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