Windows 8.2 release date, news and rumors

More rumors:

After previous revelations about Windows "Threshold," a release we might think of as Windows 8.2, some more information has emerged about Microsoft's plans for the future. And if you were worried that Windows 8.1 didn't go far enough in appeasing desktop users on traditional PCs, I think I have some good news for you.

Metro apps running in windows on the desktop. As you can today with third-party utilities such as ModernMix, the next version of Windows will let users optionally run Metro apps in floating windows on the desktop.

Start menu. After bringing back the Start button in Windows 8.1, Microsoft will take the next logical step in the next Windows version and make the Start menu available as an option. It's possible this will appear only on those product versions that support the desktop.

Further Changes Coming in Windows "Threshold"

With Threshold, my sources say, there could be three primary SKUs: A "modern" consumer SKU; a traditional/PC SKU; and a traditional enterprise SKU.

The modern (i.e., Metro-Style/Windows Store) consumer SKU would be focused on WinRT apps. (WinRT, in this case, refers to the API set at the heart of Windows, not the current Windows RT operating system that runs on ARM.) It may end up targeting ARM- and Intel-based devices both. It would be updated frequently by Microsoft through the Windows Store.
This modern SKU would be the SKU for Windows Phones, ARM-based Windows tablets/PCs, phablets and other kinds of tablets. Some PCs also may run this SKU, providing Microsoft with a more head-to-head competitor to Chromebooks, as these machines would be more secure and locked down.

A more traditional consumer SKU would be aimed at the current PC market. This SKU would include a desktop and be customized so that mouse/keyboard users will be able to continue to have some semblance of productivity and familiarity with Windows. This SKU also would be updated regularly and often through the Windows Store.

There also will likely be some kind of traditional Enterprise SKU, according to my contacts, that would include all the usual business bells and whistles, like support for Win32 apps via a Desktop environment, support for group policy, device management and more. This SKU would be aimed primarily at traditional PCs, tablets and other devices and also allow users to run "Modern"/Windows Store apps.

More on Microsoft's SKU-morphic Windows vision


Maybe they were listening to their users, will be interesting to see what they come up with.

Dave76, post: 7371, member: 106 said:

Maybe they were listening to their users, will be interesting to see what they come up with.

It makes sense to me to offer different SKU editions with different buying options to satisfy everyone. They could also offer a cloud and/or as alphanumeric has suggested a subscription model.

Different editions would be along the lines of Linux distros. All in all, I think it would be better than what the competition is offering. They would have to be careful, though, as not to be confusing as we've seen with the Surface RT vs the Pro.

I think they had this in mind all along, just tried to force people onto the start page, many need a push to new things, others need to be shoved