Can we look forward to more Windows 8.1 updates in the future? Well there have been rumors suggesting that there could be a third update to Windows 8.1 in the works, but now according to a report from ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley, there is a good chance that the third update could be canned.
Instead what Windows 8.1 users can look forward to is a minor update which has been pegged for a release in August. So what’s the deal? Well apparently Microsoft is currently focused on getting Windows Threshold/Windows 9 ready which is why they are opting to forgo a third update in favor of that.
According to Foley, “But others said the operating systems team is leaning toward putting all the wood behind the Windows 9 arrow, while continuing to deliver small monthly updates and fixes to Windows 8.1 until Windows 9/Threshold arrives.”
Unfortunately not much is known about Windows Threshold/9 at the moment, although one of the rumors claims that Cortana could be one of the new features making its way into the OS. Foley’s sources have also suggested that Microsoft could be offering some kind of deal to existing Windows users where they could possibly upgrade to Windows 9 for free, much like what Apple has done where future OS X upgrades will be free.
We have also heard the rumors that Windows Threshold/9 is expected to be released this year as a public preview and that its final release could be in the mid-late part of 2015. In any case take it with a grain of salt for now, but hopefully Microsoft will come forward and shed some light on this themselves.