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Rumor: Windows 8.1 Update 2, Windows 9 To Have First Outing at WPC

Microsoft is preparing to unveil Windows 8.1 Update 2 and an early version of Windows 9 at July's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), according to online leaker "WZor."

In a Tweet on Thursday, WZor wrote, "Windows 8.1 Update 2 will be announced during Microsoft WPC 2014 July 13-17 Win 9 beta will be probably presented same time." In another Tweet, WZor said that Windows 8.1 Update may be close to reaching the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) stage.

Microsoft has not confirmed the statements, nor even made any official mention of a second Windows 8.1 update yet.

While rumors of Update 2 being in the works have been circulating since April, with general availability widely expected sometime this fall, the likelihood of it hitting RTM soon is very low, according to Wes Miller, research analyst at independent consultancy Directions on Microsoft:

Miller has previously said that Update 2 will more likely be finalized in August or September, and generally available in October.

Windows 9, a beta of which WZor said might be unveiled at WPC, is not expected to see daylight until 2015. According to a report earlier this month by longtime Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley, the Start Menu -- which Microsoft had originally planned to include in Update 2 -- may instead appear as part of Windows 9. Microsoft is also reportedly planning to include its "Cortana" voice assistant technology in that OS release. Officially, however, Microsoft has made no announcements about Windows 9 so far.

About the Author

Gladys Rama (@GladysRama3) is the editorial director of Converge360.

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