Work has already started on Windows 9, but only minor UI changes are expected

Dec 16, 2013 16:31 GMT  ·  By

Windows 9 could be the next big thing coming from Redmond and, even though all Microsofties are giving their best to keep the project a secret, bogus information has reached the web anyway.

Existing reports are pointing out that Windows 9, or whatever the name of the upcoming Windows iteration will be, will incorporate an interface that looks pretty much the same with the one available in Windows 8.1, including a flat visual style and a Modern UI.

The latter is the one causing more controversy, as Microsoft has often been criticized for its decision to implement a touch-optimized environment in desktops builds of Windows, so the company might very well address this issue too in the next release.

According to some people close to the matter, Microsoft might further separate the desktop from the Modern UI by bringing back the Start Menu, a traditional Windows feature that would now be offered as part of versions aimed at PCs or laptops.

As far as the Windows 9 interface is concerned, there is absolutely no doubt that people expect major improvements, including (why not?) the return of the Aero style.

The plethora of Windows 9 concepts that reached the web lately comes as a confirmation that people really want something to be changed in the way the operating systems looks like, regardless of whether it’s the desktop or the Modern UI.

Review image
This is what a customized version of Windows 8.1 looks like right now.

In the last few weeks, we’ve shown you that some of these concepts are more or less inspired by features that are already available on Linux, a completely different and more affordable platform that’s often promoted as the right alternative for Windows.

Truth is, the familiar look of Windows (the old one, that is) is worth every cent, but some of the design elements in Linux could really come in handy to Microsoft fanatics.

First of all, the overall simplicity in design of every Linux distribution is clearly a major advantage, as it’s exactly the opposite of the things that caused so much confusion among Windows 8 users.

Review image

The desktop adopts the same clean design, with the Unity launcher placed on the left side of the screen and coming in handy whenever you want to open a new app. The so-called dash, which is some sort of Start Menu on Ubuntu, searches both online and offline for apps, settings, files, and other information. Pretty much like the Bing Smart Search in Windows 8.1, if you wish.

This simplicity and clean layout could be one of the things that Windows 9 needs to tackle the confusion created by its predecessors. Of course, do not expect Windows to feature a dash or a launcher placed on either side of the screen, but a more user-friendly and ergonomic approach would only bring Windows 9 more users.

Then, there’s the built-in file manager. File Explorer indeed received some improvements in Windows 8, getting the ribbon that was until then an Office exclusive, but it’s still far from the powerful file manager that users expect to get in Windows.

Review image

Ubuntu’s Files, previously known as Nautilus, is again based on a simple and clean design that doesn’t assault users with unnecessary features. Truth is, it still needs plenty of improvements, but it has something that Windows users are only dreaming about: tabs.

In Nautilus, opening a tab is as easy as pressing the middle click, while more options can be accessed via the on-screen buttons.

Overall, there’s no doubt that Microsoft could indeed look into someone else’s yard for improvements for its next Windows release, but it’s hard to believe that Redmond is willing to make so many dramatic changes to its operating system.

Unfortunately, a mix of Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X is yet to be created, but whoever makes it first, there’s no doubt that it could conquer the OS world.