14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft will finally break the news on Windows 9 later this month during a September 30 event, while a preview version of the operating system is expected to be released to users either during the same day or soon after that.
After sending the preview build to a number of partners for testing purposes, it appears that Microsoft has also started sending out the beta to a number of users, some of which are representatives of trusted media, in advance of the September 30 event.
The company has, however, specifically required confidentiality agreements to make sure that no embargos are broken and no screenshots, videos, or information reaches the web before the public unveiling later this month.
Paradoxically, a large collection of screenshots already reached the web one week ago, showing many features of the new operating system in action, including the Start menu, Cortana, and multiple desktops.
These screenshots, however, allegedly come from a partner build and might include unfinished features, which could be changed or even removed completely before the preview comes out.
Lots of locked features
It appears that many of the features available in the current Windows 9 preview build sent for testing purposes are completely locked, so in addition to the confidentiality agreements, Microsoft has also introduced other limitations to make sure that no leaks occur.
The company intends to remove these restrictions during the public unveiling on September 30, which means that those who actually receive the preview build have only a few things to see if they do decide to install it.
Cortana and multiple desktops options are said to be two of the features that are currently unavailable in Windows 9 preview, and it’s still not clear whether they will be released to users on September 30 or Microsoft wants to wait a little bit more before unlocking them.
The focus on enterprise
Even though Microsoft shares details regarding the next Windows version, the focus will be on enterprises, sources say, so only a few features might actually be detailed at first.
A new built-in update system would give the company more control over features included in the operating system, so Microsoft should have no issue when trying to lock or unlock specific options.
The preview build, however, is very likely to lack some of the features that are included in the final version of the operating system, as Microsoft obviously wants to come up with some surprises in April 2015, when the full version of Windows 9 is launched.