Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) said at its Build developer conference earlier this month that it will bring back the Start menu to Windows 8. However, the company didn’t give a timeline for the return of the Start menu. Sources close to the development told The Verge that the software giant will bring back the Start menu with the second update to Windows 8.1 (which may be called Windows 8.2) scheduled for August.
Microsoft trying to speed up the Windows update cycle
At the Build conference, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Windows and Xbox software head Terry Myerson demonstrated a prototype of what the Start menu would look like. The prototype shows Windows 7-style menu on one side and live tiles along another side. Though Microsoft is likely to deliver the true windowing functionality in Windows 9 set to release next year, the Redmond-based company is trying to get it ready for the next update to Windows 8.1, due in August.
Both windowed apps and Start menu could be pushed to Windows 9. But Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s current plan is to unveil these changes as soon as possible. The Satya Nadella-led company has made significant internal changes to speed up the Windows update cycle to once per year. But sources told The Verge that the company is trying to accelerate that schedule amid fierce competition from Android and iOS that push out updates quite frequently.
Microsoft likely to launch a free, cloud-based version of Windows
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has made Windows free for devices with less than a 9-inch display. The company is still planning to merge Windows Phone and Windows RT to create a unified OS platform. But that’s part of a bigger work, probably Windows 9. For now, if the software giant delivers the Start menu with the next Windows 8.1 update in August, it will address one of the biggest complaints from desktop users.
Russian blogger Wzor, who is well-know for accurate leaks of Windows information, said that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will unveil a revamped, Windows 7-style Start menu in August. The blogger added that the software giant will also debut a free, cloud-based version of Windows at the same time.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) shares inched up 0.78% to $40 in pre-market trading Thursday.
