Source claims that Microsoft has already started work on a third update for Windows 8.1

Jul 28, 2014 06:11 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has already launched Windows 8.1 Update and is now getting ready to debut Windows 8.1 Update 2, but it appears that the company is preparing a little surprise for its users.

According to a short tweet by Faikee, who has a good track on leaking Windows information, Microsoft has already started work on Windows 8.1 Update 3, but the software giant is unsure whether it should launch this third update or not.

This isn’t the first time we’re hearing about Windows 8.1 Update 3, and previous reports on the matter indicated that it could arrive in early 2015, just before the public launch of Windows 9.

And still, a third update for Windows 8.1 could make sense at some level.

Sources told us a few months ago that Microsoft was pondering a possible free licensing model for Windows 9, thus trying to boost adoption of its modern operating system. If these reports are true, Windows 9 could become free of charge for users of the latest Windows 8.1 users and Windows 7 Service Pack 1, in an attempt clearly aimed at increasing the adoption of the new OS version.

Windows 8.1 Update 3 would thus play a pretty important role in this new strategy prepared by Microsoft.

According to speculation, Windows 8.1 Update 3 could be available in two different flavors for users, with or without a paid product key.

If Windows 8.1 Update 2 users decide to install Update 3 without paying for it, they might be required to purchase Windows 9 when it comes out, thus being allowed to upgrade to the new operating system with a small fee.

Windows 8.1 Update 3, on the other hand, might also be available with a new set of product keys and as a stand-alone operating system, allowing anyone running an older version of Windows, such as 8.1 Update, 8.1, 8 or 7, to install it from scratch and thus get Windows 9 at absolutely no cost.

Of course, all of these are just rumors, so don’t take them for granted, at least not until Microsoft comes out to talk about the next full Windows version.

As for the launch date of Windows 8.1 Update 3, sources claim that it might be launched in January or February 2015, again via Windows Update or as a separate download for those who want to purchase a dedicated product key that would allow a free upgrade to Windows 9.