Many of you may have heard by now that Microsoft is about to release a new version of Windows in the near future, and it is called Windows 10. But what happened to Windows 9? 

Essentially, Microsoft wanted to distance themselves as much as possible from the unpopular stigma of Windows 8. Tony Prophet from Microsoft Windows marketing said “Windows 10 is not going to be an incremental step from Window 8.1, Windows 10 is going to be a material step. We’re trying to create one platform, one eco-system that unites as many of the devices from the small embedded Internet of Things, through tablets, through phones, through PCs and, ultimately, into the Xbox.”

In addition to focusing on user experience, Microsoft is providing the upgrade to Windows users for free. Any user currently on 7, 8, or 8.1 can make the upgrade for free to 10 during the first year. This is a brilliant marketing strategy because most people will upgrade to the new experience and will make Windows support more universal if everyone is on the same operating system. 

Another thing Microsoft has ditched is its pre-installed browser, Internet Explorer. Instead, Microsoft has been working on a new browser called Spartan, which will hopefully be able to catch up with the commonly-preferred browsers of Safari, Chrome and Firefox. 

So what will be new in the new Windows 10? The familiar start menu will be resurrected, with just a hint of the old Windows 8 tiles. Also taking a leaf from Apple’s book, there will be a multiple desktop feature. Microsoft’s digital assistant, Cortana, will also be making the leap from mobile to desktop. 

For more info on the release of Windows 10, check out the Windows website for the official scoop!