14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 9 is definitely going to bring quite a lot of changes to users worldwide, but one of the biggest modifications that Microsoft is expected to make to its operating system is a different approach in terms of updates and new features delivered to computers running it.
Basically, Windows 9 might be the very latest Microsoft operating system using the numbering scheme for its name, so instead of rolling out new stand-alone versions of the product every once in a while, Redmond might just improve a single one with regular updates.
Windows 9 could thus become the latest stand-alone release for the Windows lineup, with people close to the matter indicating that the company could roll it as just “Windows.” Internally, however, Microsoft is expected to continue using the same numbering system in order to better keep track of releases.
Windows 9 to borrow the update system from Office 365
The idea is indeed really helpful for users who do not have to wait for new releases every once in a while, and as far as analysts are concerned, the new update mechanism could be very close to what we’re seeing in Office 365 these days.
Gartner analyst Stephen Kleynhans believes that future Windows builds could get new features whenever they’re ready, just like it’s happening with Office 365.
“I think what they’re working toward is something more like what you see in Office 365. Office 365 doesn’t get ‘updates’ in the same way [as the traditional operating system updates]. It gets a stream of updates that enter the product when it’s ready,” Kleynhans explained.
No large updates after Windows 9
Probably the best thing about such updates for Windows 9 is the fact that users won’t have to wait for a couple of years to get new features. In some of the cases where users were provided with large OS updates, installation caused several issues, few of which actually led to critical errors and BSODs.
“I’m not sure they can get into that continual trickle updates for an operating system and I’m not even sure that’s appropriate. But I think the trajectory of what they're doing is to move toward a more regular pace of updates so we’re not faced with these big mammoth updates that tear our world apart every few years,” the analyst added.
There’s no doubt that Windows 9 is going to bring quite a lot of changes in terms of features and updates for users, but Microsoft does not afford to break this system down. Windows 9 is supposed to help regain users’ lost trust, so bringing them features that really work as expected should really be a priority for the company.