The Windows 8.1 Update 2 has been tipped again for August 12, bringing a few updates to the desktop operating system.
Currently being referred to by Microsoft as the August update, in line with the Xbox One update plans, Windows 8.1 Update 2 will arrive on August 12.
That’s according to a new report from ZDNet anyway, which states the update will arrive on this month’s Patch Tuesday.
Sadly, Update 2 isn’t expected to offer major new features. Sources state that the original plan was to make Update 2 a major update for Windows 8.1, which included introducing the hybrid Start menu touched on at the Build developers’ conference.
That plan was unfortunately scrapped a few months back, or so the sources say, instead pushing the Start menu launch back to Windows 9 Threshold.
Speaking of Threshold, the sources say the next iteration of Microsoft’s desktop operating system will arrive some time in spring 2015.
As for Windows 8.1 Update 2, you should expect some minor design tweaks with the system upgrade. Most likely it’ll be focused on bug fixes, under the hood tweaks and other such modifications ahead of the Windows 9 release next year.
According to the sources, there won’t be any more Windows 8.1 updates until that point either. At one point, it was thought that an additional update would be released in the autumn, bringing with it some new features.
However, it looks like Microsoft is focusing all its attention on Windows 9 for now.
Windows 8.1 Update 2 is expected to be an optional install for current Windows 8.1 users, reiterating its incremental upgrades.
However, what’s rather interesting is that Windows 9 is expected to be a free download for those still using Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. This should hopefully help boost user adoption of the new operating system when it comes out next year.
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