Microsoft's Windows Blue is released later this year

Microsoft has confirmed that the successor to Windows 8 will roll out later this year. Windows 8.1 would be released in late June already as a preview during the Build conference in San Francisco!

The new version of Windows is codenamed Windows Blue, and is expected to essentially be an update (no Windows 9). Microsoft says it will let the company respond to the customer feedback since the launch of Windows 8 and RT. Among the feedback Microsoft have listened to is to (probably) bring back the Start button.

Microsoft announced that it has now sold more than 100 million Windows 8 licenses, and over 250 million Windows Store downloads. That means that after 6 months Windows 8 is now selling equal with Windows 7, which also hit the 100 million licenses mile marker in a 6 month period. And it did it on a lot of devices.

Microsoft says some 2,400 devices are now certified for Windows 8 and RT. Generally speaking this is pretty good news for Microsoft. The retail launch for Windows 8.1 is planned for August this year. The upgrade will be free for Windows 8 users. More news soon!

Source: multiple websites