It appears that more users are getting the Windows Technical Preview these days before the public unveiling

Sep 18, 2014 13:35 GMT  ·  By

A large batch of screenshots showing the new Windows 9 operating system in action leaked a couple of weeks ago, thus putting an end to rumors and confirming that features such as a Start menu and a desktop version of Cortana are indeed coming in the upcoming version.

Now a new screenshot has reached the web too, showing the very same Start menu, but this time coming from a different Windows 9 Technical Preview build than the first set of photos.

Windows 9 preview is projected to be unveiled to everyone later this month, but according to people close to the matter, Microsoft has already submitted testing builds to partners and select journalists, so it’s no wonder that more leaks are happening.

What’s more interesting, however, is that the screenshots that make it to the web come from different builds, so it’s not really clear which one the company is actually planning to unveil on September 30.

Same Start menu, no visual differences

The screenshot we have here and which has been published online by WinClub.pl earlier today shows the Start menu in action with the very same design as the previous photos.

The only thing that’s missing from the Start menu is the feedback tile that was implemented in build 9834 to help users get in touch with Microsoft and send their opinions on specific features faster.

At the first glance, build number 9821 doesn’t bring too many changes, but it could be living proof that the company indeed submitted some testing builds to a number of people ahead of the public launch taking place on September 30.

Select users running it as we speak

Word is that while Microsoft submitted testing builds to some users, many of the features available to them are actually locked, as the company attempted to prevent any leaks from reaching the web.

It appears that the company will actually unlock all these features on September 30, after the press event, when the Windows 9 preview becomes available to everyone.

What’s more, rumor has it that the company had everyone getting the preview sign confidentiality agreements to make sure they wouldn’t publish screenshots or information online, again in an attempt to keep everything secret until the beta sees daylight.

Windows 9 Preview will be introduced to the public on September 30 or soon after that, while the final product is expected to hit the shelves in April 2015. People close to the matter have also indicated that RTM is very likely before the end of the year.