Windows 'Threshold': More on plan to win over Windows 7 users

[Brink]

Windows "Threshold," the next major version of Microsoft's Windows operating system due to hit around the spring of 2015, is coming into focus.

And not too surprisingly, one of the Microsoft Operating Systems Group's main goals in designing and developing the coming operating system (OS) release -- which may or may not ultimately be branded as "Windows 9" -- is to try to make it more palatable to hold-out Windows 7 users.

In order to do this, Microsoft is working on including in Threshold lots of new features specifically aimed at "desktop" users, meaning those who interact primarily with their Windows computing device from a desktop or laptop PC with mouse/keyboard and optional touch.

With Windows 8.1 Update, Microsoft officials designed Windows around a set of profiles based on the hardware specifications of the devices in use. Certain devices running Windows 8.1 Update include Power and Search buttons on the Metro-style Start screen; others don't. Some of those running Windows 8.1 Update have their machines start up by default in the Desktop/Win32 legacy environment, while others on touch/mobile-first devices start up in the Metro-Style Start Menu by default.

According to my sources, Microsoft will continue in this vein with Windows Threshold. The Threshold OS will look and work differently based on hardware type.

Read more: Windows 'Threshold': More on Microsoft's plan to win over Windows 7 users | ZDNet

 

[Indianatone]

Looking forward to the beta / pre release software to try it out.

 

[andrew129260]

I hate how windows is churning out new OS like call of duty.

I liked the plans for Threshold though.

 

[Bertison]

If it's like 7 but an improvement upon it, it will draw 7 users. If it's another version of 8, it won't. That is how it is, Redmond.

Windows 7 was (and remains) so good, a successor has to be good enough for the average user to compare the two and realise that it's a worthwhile purchase.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

The words "mini start menu" make me nervous. Sorry, M$, you had your chance with me when Win 8 first came out and I was debating on whether to use Win 7 or Win 8 for new computer I was going to build. I've committed to Win 7 and will stay with it until shortly before its EOL even if M$ comes out with something better. Why should I upgrade when what I have meets my needs? M$ made a commitment to support Win 7 for ten years and has been doing its darnedest to weasel out of it because it no longer matches their "vision".

 

[computergeekguy]

All I want in windows 8.2 is the ability to turn windows 8.2 off and go into 7 mode

 

[King Arthur]

I hate how windows is churning out new OS like call of duty.

You must absolutely detest operating systems like Ubuntu then.

As for Windows 9, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[andrew129260]

I hate how windows is churning out new OS like call of duty.

You must absolutely detest operating systems like Ubuntu then.

As for Windows 9, I'll believe it when I see it.

Hehe good one.

 

[Wrend]

I'm not apposed to newer versions of Windows, and with how the reception and sales of Windows 8 seems to have gone, I can see why Microsoft would want to release something sooner rather than later to try and sweeten the deal a little for Windows 7 "holdouts."

However, since Windows 7 works well for my needs and its UI is set up the way I like it, I have very little insentive to switch to a new Windows OS any time soon. They're going to have to do a lot of sweetening to get me to bother switching. Frankly, I may be a lost cause at this point.

 

[SIW2]

MS are aware of that ...finally. They have been reading my posts.

They will try and make it appear to be what you want, but they will not let you off the hook. The metro infection will be there. They will be more subtle about it.


MS might let enterprise customers rid themselved of the dreaded thing, but not consumers.

Not unless their attempts at subtlety are rumbled and people continue to shun it. It will be more difficult. Win7 is harder to get hold of, new machines carrying it won't be available for much longer. MS are killing off the competition, ironically, their own win7.

If it's like 7 but an improvement upon it, it will draw 7 users. If it's another version of 8, it won't. That is how it is, Redmond.

Windows 7 was (and remains) so good, a successor has to be good enough for the average user to compare the two and realise that it's a worthwhile purchase.

 

[ThrashZone]

I wonder if this version will start out as 19.99
I'm sure there will be a hardware hurdle involved

 

[RBS7]

I seriously doubt 9 will be the panacea everyone expects. I suspect it will be heavy into promoting Bing and Microsoft's cloud services and try to rope consumers into a monthly subscription plan. It seems as though productivity is a mute cause with the company's profit only concept.

If I have 7 and 8 why would I even need 9?

 

[Indianatone]

I seriously doubt 9 will be the panacea everyone expects. I suspect it will be heavy into promoting Bing and Microsoft's cloud services and try to rope consumers into a monthly subscription plan. It seems as though productivity is a mute cause with the company's profit only concept.

If I have 7 and 8 why would I even need 9?

Correct, there will be a free version for small devices and tablets. Desktop users *Will* be able to turn off everything they do not want or need. If not the EU etc. will force this as uncompetitive.
For example Bing as your search and being unable to select Google (ASK :roflmao search.
There will always be someone somewhere who will (hack) find a way around things being forced upon us. If Windows 9 does not fit our needs we will stick with 7, it is as simple as that.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I seriously doubt 9 will be the panacea everyone expects. I suspect it will be heavy into promoting Bing and Microsoft's cloud services and try to rope consumers into a monthly subscription plan. It seems as though productivity is a mute cause with the company's profit only concept.

If I have 7 and 8 why would I even need 9?

Correct, there will be a free version for small devices and tablets. Desktop users *Will* be able to turn off everything they do not want or need. If not the EU etc. will force this as uncompetitive.
For example Bing as your search and being unable to select Google (ASK :roflmao search.
There will always be someone somewhere who will (hack) find a way around things being forced upon us. If Windows 9 does not fit our needs we will stick with 7, it is as simple as that.

Prexactly!