14 DAY TRIAL // Several leaked screenshots have reached the web in the last few days, showing some of the features that are expected to be implemented in Windows 8.1 Update 1 and supposed to make Microsoft’s operating system a bit more appealing for desktop users.
One of the greatest enhancements included in Windows 8.1 Update 1 is the possibility to run Metro apps in windowed mode which, to be honest, is indeed a great change, especially for those running Windows 8.1 on non-touch devices.
The idea of bringing Metro apps on the desktop has been around for a while, but Microsoft hasn’t publicly talked about it yet.
And still, we’re told that these leaked screenshots showing Metro apps running in their own windows is just the beginning of “something much more exciting” that should debut in Windows 9.
At this point, it’s not yet clear whether Microsoft plans to go all-in on Metro apps on the desktop, so we can’t tell for sure whether the feature we’re seeing in these leaked photos is actually the real deal or just a preview of a much more complex change prepared for Windows 9.
But if what we’re hearing is true, chances are that Windows 9 would go further with the Metro apps on desktop cocktail, a new step made by Microsoft towards reconciliation with users disappointed by some of the features implemented in Windows 8.
As far as Windows 9 is concerned, some previous reports hinted that it could debut in early 2015, approximately one year after the launch of Windows 8.1 Update 1.
Surprisingly, people close to the matter claim that work on Windows 9 hasn’t yet started, which made many wonder whether Microsoft is indeed planning big changes in the future OS release or it’s just trying to focus on minor performance improvements and optimizations.