14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8.1 Update 1 is expected to be the next big thing for Windows users, as it comes to address many of users complaints in Windows 8.1, while also boosting performance and reliability.
Windows 9, on the other hand, is supposed to play a much more important role, especially because Microsoft’s future is said to depend on how well this operating system is going to perform.
Work hasn’t yet started on Windows 9, but according to some people familiar with the matter, the company is expected to share more details on this subject during the BUILD developer conference in April. The development process is very likely to begin later the same month, so Microsoft is confident that it could get the operating system ready in less than 12 months.
Although it might seem that Microsoft is rushing things a little bit, Windows 9 is a really critical product for the Redmond-based software giant, especially because its whole future depends on how well the operating system sells after launch.
Windows 9 is the first full operating system that comes after Windows 8, the modern platform that has failed to impress and, what’s more, generated a new wave of criticism over the Redmond-based software giant who, despite all these issues, remained the leader of the desktop OS market.
But Microsoft has no other option than to get Windows 9 right because the entire future of the company depends on how well this operating system is going to be.
First of all, Microsoft needs to bring back its desktop users who decided to switch back to Windows 7 or even jump ship and move to Mac OS X or Linux after giving a try to Windows 8. The confusion created by Windows 8 was a catalyst for an important market share growth for Linux, with many distributions now considered to be really powerful alternatives for Windows.
Second of all, as Preston Gralla of ComputerWorld points out, Satya Nadella’s performance at the helm of Microsoft might very well depend on Windows 9.
Steve Ballmer was forced to retire after the company invested a fortune in Windows 8, but failed to revive the collapsing PC market and, what’s more, caused an important loss to the company.
With Satya Nadella now the new CEO and Bill Gates also involved in a more active role, Microsoft must solve all issues and make Windows 9 successful to give Satya Nadella a chance to continue his tenure at the helm of the company. Although it’s hard to believe that the new CEO would resign in case one Windows version disappoints, it’s clearly not the best way to begin a career as Microsoft CEO.
The first signs of Windows 9 improvements are really promising, with people familiar with the matter pointing to the return of the Start Menu, as well as enhancements supposed to make the operating system more appropriate for desktop computers.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go to find out whether Windows 9 has a chance to succeed or not, but it all comes down to how Microsoft decides to handle consumer feedback and make the operating system in such a way that it could address users’ requirements.
Statistics provided by market research Net Applications indicate that Microsoft’s desktop market share has dropped in 2013, in part due to Windows 8 and its performance below expectations.
While in March 2013 no less than 91.89 percent of desktop computers worldwide were running Windows, the score declined to 90.72 percent in January 2014, despite the launch of Windows 8.1.
Until now, it has been a one good – one bad product rollout for Microsoft, with Vista becoming a flop, while Windows 7 proved to be one of the most successful OS versions in the company’s history.
With Windows 8 also failing to impress, Microsoft cannot afford to have two operating systems in a row that do not sell as expected, so Windows 9 should be the one product that comes with enhanced consumer appeal and help the company maintain its position as leader of the desktop OS world.