This is the place to name the features you want to see in Windows 9

Aug 13, 2014 15:00 GMT  ·  By

Windows 9 is coming, that’s for sure, even though all Microsofties have remained completely tight-lipped on what’s to come after Windows 8.1.

The only thing that we know so far is that Microsoft is working “on the next Windows version” at this point because Terry Myerson, head of the OS division at the company, confirmed this at the WPC 2014 conference last month. Without unveiling any other specifics, of course.

While this suggests absolutely nothing about the features that are going to be part of the new OS version, the Windows community has been hard at work to absorb every single rumor and create a feature lineup that would help us have a glimpse of Windows 9.

Probably the most anticipated feature of the next Windows release is the modern Start menu, which, judging by a mockup presented by Microsoft at BUILD this year, mixes traditional elements available in Windows 7 with live tiles and other items from Windows 8.

At the same time, Microsoft is also pondering some changes that could make each SKU of the operating system better match the device they are supposed to be installed on.

For example, the version that would be designed for PCs would no longer come with a Start screen unless the user specifically configures the OS to display it. Otherwise, Windows 9 would boot directly to desktop by default and display the Start menu in the left bottom corner to quickly access installed apps.

The tablet SKUs, on the other hand, are expected to boot straight to the Start screen, with some people close to the matter indicating that Microsoft wants to remove the desktop completely in this case. Such a change really makes sense actually, given the fact that the Modern UI is designed for touch, so desktop apps on a tablet with a really small screen are very difficult to use.

As you can see, there are lots of rumors regarding the features that could be part of Windows 9, but as Microsoft said with so many occasions, it all comes down to what users need and want in the products the company designs.

As a result, we’ve decided to ask you directly and help sketch the Windows 9 version that our readers would want, no matter if it includes a Start menu, Cortana, the Charms bar, or any other feature that could be useful or not.

To get you started, here’s a list of questions that could help you post a helpful comment:

• Would you miss the Start screen in Windows 9? • Is it good that Microsoft wants to remove the Charms bar? • What do you think about a desktop version of Cortana? • Could Windows 9 be a game changer for Microsoft? • Should Microsoft restore the Aero Glass effects in Windows 9? • How useful do you think multiple desktops could be for the average Windows Joe?