We already know quite a bit about Windows 9 (or whatever Microsoft decides to call it). Thanks to the president of Microsoft Indonesia, we might now know another detail about Microsoft’s upcoming OS—its price.
According to Indonesian news site Detik.com (via BGR), Andreas Diantoro, the president of Microsoft Indonesia, confirms that Windows 9 will be a free upgrade for all Windows 8 users.
Why it matters: Users are becoming more accustomed to free operating system updates, given the fact that even major iOS, Android, and OS X updates are gratis. And after the negative reception Windows 8 received, Microsoft has some added incentive to earn back its users’ trust. With that in mind, Windows 9 is just as much a chance to change the tenor of discussion surrounding Windows as it is a new version of the OS.
Taking cues from Windows 8.1, OS X
According to BGR, Windows 9 will be available as a free download, much like Apple’s updates to OS X–and much like Windows 8.1, which was a free update provided to Windows 8 and Windows RT users through the Windows Store.
We don’t yet know if Windows 9 will be free to users of earlier versions of the OS, such as Windows 7 or Vista. A free upgrade for all would make sense, though, in that it would make it easier for Microsoft to entice as many of its users as possible to upgrade to the latest and greatest.
Microsoft has yet to announce a release date for Windows 9—let alone an official name—but we should find out more at the company’s September 30th media event.