14 DAY TRIAL // We’re getting really close to the public launch of Windows 8.1 Update 2 and even though Microsoft is keeping all details secret and nobody knows for sure whether the update would go live in August or September, new evidence shows that everyone would get it next month.
Previous reports indicated that Microsoft was planning to release Windows 8.1 Update 2 in mid-August, and thanks to some leaked documents that were published by the editors over at PC Portal, it appears that August 12 is the date when Redmond would officially introduce this new update.
No other specifics have been provided till now, but these documents show that Windows 8.1 Update 2 could be released to users together with the other Patch Tuesday updates coming out next month.
As far as features and other tools are concerned, it appears that Microsoft is only planning to use Windows 8.1 Update 2 to deliver minor improvements and other fixes to Windows 8.1 computers, so do not expect the Start menu or options to run Metro apps in separate windows on the desktop to be part of this release.
Windows 8.1 Update 2 will obviously be offered free of charge to everyone running Windows 8.1 Update and is very likely to be shipped via Windows Update, despite rumors that Microsoft might actually be offered through the Windows Store.
The company is actually focusing more on the next full Windows release, possibly called Windows 9, which is expected to bring many more improvements and features as compared to what’s expected to be part of Windows 8.1 updates.
Windows 9, for example, is expected to include a modern Start menu that would mix live tiles and traditional design elements, such as app lists and power controls to quickly shut down or reboot the computer. A desktop version of Cortana which would allow users to perform certain tasks with voice commands is also expected to be included in Windows 9, sources say.
As it’s the case with all the other rumors that reach the web these days, take everything with a pinch of salt, at least until Microsoft officially announces the release of a new Windows 8.1 update. If these reports are true, expect the company to at least talk about Windows 8.1 Update 2 in the next couple of weeks, before the public launch that could take place on August 12 during the Patch Tuesday rollout.