Microsoft has an weird pattern when it comes to Windows releases, the first update becomes popular, then the next one doesn’t do anything for customers. This pattern started on Windows ME, one of the most unpopular releases, followed by XP, considered to be one of the most popular releases of all time.
If this pattern continues, Windows 9 should be a huge success for Microsoft, where Windows 8 didn’t surpass 20 percent of the desktop market. The next update, known internally as Threshold, has a few reasons to be popular, the most prominent is it might be the first without a price tag.
After Apple announced OS X would come free to all users, Microsoft should begin to implement this for Windows 9, even if it is a big revenue stream loss. Microsoft will look to offset the problems with larger focus on OneDrive storage, Office and technical services, alongside potential pushing Microsoft Azure as personal hosting option. 
Thanks to WinFuture, a German Windows blog, we have got an extensive look at the new Windows 9 Technical Preview, which should be coming this month or next. The changes on Windows 9 look to merge the Metro apps into the desktop UI.
The Charms menu appears to have disappeared, the home button is back with a funky Metro interface and the Metro view has been removed, unless the Technical Preview doesn’t show the Metro view. 
Folders and windows will have no border, this should make things like video games and windowed view a lot more pleasing, without the inch of border on most applications.
Having the Metro apps run in the desktop browser is a big change, we wonder how receptive Windows 9 users will be to the Microsoft web store and other Metro apps or if they will just divert to previous desktop applications.
Windows 9 is expected to come in 2015, but the Technical Preview should be available before the end of 2014.
Source: WinFuture
