Microsoft’s next version of Windows has been casually referred to as “Windows 9”, which makes a great deal of sense given that the current Windows 8.x was preceded by Windows 7. But while it’s still a distinct possibility that the software giant will retain the numbered system, the company has also tried to ramp up hype of the impending Windows Technical Preview by keeping enthusiasts guessing as to what name the next major build will take, and with an official moniker expected to be officially revealed soon, a site set up specifically for the Tech. Preview appears to have slipped “Windows TH”.

There has been much talk about Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 9 just recently, particular with regards to its features. But the actual name of the next major release is still something of a mystery, and given that ‘Windows 9’ is merely a reference point for an upcoming product, like the “Nintendo Revolution” or the “Xbox 720”, it is expected that the software giant will seek a different direction after Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Microsoft has officially invited members of the press to join in on September 30, 2014 “to hear about what’s next for Windows and the enterprise”. The event will be held in San Francisco and is widely expected to heavily feature the future of Windows by focusing on the next version of the operating system. The official invites have started to land in the mailboxes of the invited elite today, with invitees expecting to be part of an in-depth discussion about the company’s plans for Windows 9, led by Joe Belifore and Terry Myerson.

As tech consumers, we’ve something of an affinity to voice assistants, particularly new ones. The massive fuss made when Apple dropped Siri a couple of years ago was equaled by the fanfare surrounding Windows Phone 8.1’s Cortana, and while Microsoft’s effort is naturally a more refined, well-rounded and personable feature than Siri was at launch, Cortana remains a work in progress. In fact, right now, Microsoft is attempting to spread Cortana beyond the confines of Windows Phone and onto the other major segments of its ecosystem, and a new Windows 9 screenshot offers a sneak peek of how it may eventually take shape on the desktop and tablet.

Windows Phone may have only just received a notification center to call its very own, but it looks like the desktop version of Windows is about to follow suit. With Windows 9 expected to be officially unveiled on September 30th, new information is popping up about what it will contain all the time, and the latest information has the next version of Microsoft’s desktop operating system coming equipped with somewhere to keep all its notifications.

A couple of days back, we saw the new and improved Start Menu from Windows 9 in action thanks to a leaked video, and today, the same German source has provided us with another leak that shows the multiple desktops / virtual desktops in Windows 9, and they look pretty slick. More details and video can be found right after the break.

We know this now with absolute certainty that Microsoft will indeed bring back the highly-coveted Start Menu in Windows 9 – codenamed Project Threshold – and will answer the hue and cry of a lot of long-time Windows users. There have been some recent leaks as well that pointed in the same direction and even showcased the new feature, but how exactly will it be implemented, for that we have a much better idea now.

Microsoft looks set to take the wraps off the Windows 9 Technical Preview very soon, and having already seen scattered leaks of the new operating system in screenshots, we now have what appears to be the clearest look yet at what the software maker has in store. A new batch of screen grabs, which do include another peek at the eagerly awaited return of the traditional Start menu, can be seen below, and while Microsoft is still very much pressing ahead with its motion to blend desktop interface with the contemporary touch-based environment, it’s also abundantly clear that Windows 9 will be at least a partial reversion to type.

The so-called ‘Tech Preview’ of Microsoft’s Windows 9 has been tentatively slated for launch the end of this month, and although the software giant is not yet dead-set on a date, some details are beginning to emerge as to what said release might entail. Like Apple, Microsoft’s mobile and desktop features are constantly crossing over, and having introduced a new Notification Center with Windows Phone 8.1, the forthcoming Windows 9 for desktop and tablet will likely enjoy a similar implementation. According to a new report, we could see the Notification Center of Windows 9 as part of the Tech Preview, something which we’ve heard about before, and while it won’t be finished, it’ll give us a flavor as to what’s in store for the eventual Windows 9 launch.

Microsoft has had a lot of learning opportunity from the successes and failures of Windows 8, and that was evident from some of the quick fixes that were introduced with Window 8.1, which was a mere incremental update over the existing operating system. Still, for those who had hue and cry over the stark difference that Windows 8 presented over Windows 7, Windows 8.1 at least made the system usable for them once again. However, any major changes that were expected from the Redmond company, won’t happen until Windows 9 (or Windows Threshold, as it is called right now).

Microsoft’s Windows 9, otherwise currently known as ‘Threshold’, will be released to developers as a ‘technology’ preview in the coming months, but as we eagerly await the next major build of the iconic operating system, new and previously undisclosed details are beginning to emerge.

According to a new report, Microsoft has “tentatively” outlined September 30th as the date of the Windows 9 press event. Codenamed “Threshold,” precious little is known of what the software giant actually plans to include, but below, we take a look at what we’ve gathered so far.