The company will focus on “continual updates” from now on

May 15, 2013 07:05 GMT  ·  By

Word is that Microsoft plans to abandon the traditional service pack concept in the favor of a new approach that would provide users with more frequent updates, not only for Windows, but also for some other products in its range.

Even though the tech giant hasn’t said a thing about such a plan, it might seem like the Softies are finally ready to make this important step and completely dump service packs starting with the upcoming Windows 8.1

Windows CFO Tami Reller said during the JP Morgan Technology & Media Conference in Boston, that Windows 8.1 shouldn’t be considered a service pack.

“It’s just a Windows 8 update,” she said, suggesting that the first major Windows 8 makeover could also mark the end of the service pack.

A blog post signed by Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc could also be a sign that no service packs could see daylight from now on.

“You’ll immediately benefit from continual updates – whether it’s from app updates through the Windows Store, performance updates through Windows Update or the Windows 8.1 update later this year,” the blog post reads.

In addition, if no service packs are planned for the future, this could also be an indication that Windows 8.2 could follow at some point, most likely in 2014, a few months ahead of the public debut of Windows 9.

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Microsoft is pondering a November 2014 launch date for Windows 9, so a second major update for Windows 8 in mid-2014 could also take shape.

Last but not least, Windows 7 users might very well be left without a second service pack and instead be provided with smaller batches of updates supposed to fix security flaws and improve the stability and performance of the operating system.

We’re still waiting for an official statement on the future of the service pack concept, so we promise to keep you updated on this topic.