Free Windows 9 Details Roundup

Windows 9 is on track for a spring 2015 launch

New day, new information on the upcoming Windows 9 operating system. Reports that reached the web yesterday have suggested that Microsoft is considering launching a free version of Windows 9 that would obviously appeal to more users and boost the adoption of the modern operating system.

First and foremost, Windows 9 is believed to be on the table for a spring 2015 launch, approximately one year after the debut of Windows 8.1 Update.

If these reports are accurate, it means that Microsoft manages to complete the development of Windows 9 in approximately one year, although everyone expects to see some pretty big changes in this new OS release.

Information provided by Russian leaker WZor states that Windows 9 would indeed be offered with a freeware license, but it’s not clear if he refers to the version offered to OEMs to install on their devices or on the package that’s shipped to users after it reaches RTM.

Citing sources close to the development plans, ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley adds that while Microsoft is indeed expected to offer a free version of Windows 9, there’s one major catch.

Basically, Microsoft is working to align the Windows SKUs offered to OEMs and users, so in the end, everyone would get the same versions.

Windows 9 versions coming with a desktop are very unlikely to be offered free of charge, she adds.


There’s still no word on a potential ad-based version of Windows, but such a project could actually see daylight at some point if Microsoft decides to display advertisements in the Modern UI and some of the apps included in the Bing suite. Some apps are already showing ads right now, so we’re not very far from such a concept after all.