Windows 9 Technical Preview page online.

All eyes will be on Microsoft Tuesday when the company is expected to unveil the next version of Windows complete with a revamped Start menu. But Microsoft jumped the gun and teased the next version of Windows a little early to IT pros.

Over the weekend, a landing page for "Windows TH" appeared on TechNet, Microsoft's information portal for IT pros, with the headline "Windows Technical Preview for Enterprise." On the page, Microsoft called Windows TH the "next version of the Windows client operating system."

The leak was first reported by The Verge and Neowin on Saturday. Microsoft has since removed the Windows TH page. As usual, however, you can still catch a glimpse of Microsoft's early preview by perusing Google's cache.

Why it matters: There's a lot of interest surrounding the next version of Windows, which is largely seen as a course correction following mixed reaction to Windows 8. Many traditional desktop users and large organizations balked at Windows 8 and its focus on the new touch-centric Start screen and modern UI apps, which was seen as relegating the traditional desktop to second class status. Microsoft tried to improve the experience for desktop users with Windows 8.1, but the release of Windows 9 is where Microsoft's OS is truly expected to return the desktop to its former glory.

There's little else to glean from Microsoft's Windows TH page, but it does say that the upcoming Windows refresh will offer users "a familiar experience across multiple devices."

That's a nod to the expectation that while desktop users will see the modern UI de-emphasized, it will still be there as an option. The revamped Start menu will also have touches of the modern UI thanks to the presence of live tiles that sit to the right of the more traditional Start menu options.

Windows 9 to be a free upgrade for Windows 8 users

Multiple Windows 9 reports have suggested that Microsoft is considering releasing the upcoming platform as a free download to certain existing Windows users. Some said that Windows 8 will get Windows 9 free of charge, while others claimed the companyis also considering some sort of special offers for existing Windows XP users. A report from Indonesian online publication Detik said earlier this week 
that President ofMicrosoft Indonesia Andreas Diantoro has confirmed this particular Windows 9 feature.Multiple Windows 9 reports have suggested that Microsoft is considering releasing the upcoming platform as a free download to certain existing Windows users. Some said that Windows 8 will get Windows 9 free of charge, while others claimed the companyis also considering some sort of special offers for existing Windows XP users. A report from Indonesian online publication Detik said earlier this week that President ofMicrosoft Indonesia Andreas Diantoro has confirmed this particular Windows 9 feature.

According to Diantoro, the Windows 9 upgrade will be available free of charge to all existing Windows 8 users once it’s released. Apparently, users will be able to easily install the Windows 9 update after downloading it from Microsoft, which is how Apple’s OS X updates have been rolled out to Macs for a few years now. For what it’s worth, some of the recent Windows 9 leaks did say that Microsoft already has a tool in place that will allow users to easily perform software updates.

It’s not clear whether other Windows users who are on older versions of the OS will get any other special offers, and actual prices for Windows 9 have yet to be revealed. Microsoft is reportedly interested in moving many people from the older, and no longer supported, Windows XP and offering Windows 9 as a free download might be a great incentive for some.

Microsoft is going to soon unveil Windows 9 and release a technical preview of it. Recent leaks, including many videos, have revealed some of the major features coming to Windows 9, including the return of the Start menu, the Cortana voice-based search assistant that’s currently available only on Windows Phone, the Notification Center, support for multiple desktops, and several other UI enhancements.

INTERNET EXPLORER 12 IN WINDOWS 9 PREVIEW?

CORTANA, INTERNET EXPLORER 12 UNAVAILABLE IN WINDOWS 9 PREVIEw

Only five days till Microsoft talks about Windows 9 in detail. And soon after that the Windows 9 Preview is also on track to go live. Expectedly, rumors are swirling hot now.

There is interest in finding out which features will be part of Windows 9 Preview, and what features will not make the cut in this early test version. Well, we have some new intelligence on this, from people close to the development process.

As this is just a technical preview, we can expect a few missing features, a bunch of bugs, even some performance issues. All part and parcel of test previews. But on top of that, there is word that Microsoft plans to lock some features on purpose, due to them not being ready.

So far, features like multiple desktops and a notification center inspired by Windows Phone 8.1 are on track for inclusion in Windows 9 Preview.

On the flipside, Cortana and Internet Explorer 12 are very likely to be unavailable.

It is not surprising to see both these features missing from the preview build, as both are in the early stages of development. Microsoft obviously is working on something big for IE 12, and the full Cortana integration in the desktop operating system is obviously going to take a while.

However, as recently leaked screenshots have shown, the Start Menu will be there — in a sign that signifies the fact that Microsoft is indeed listening to users.

We’ll just have to wait a while to get our hands on Cortana and Internet Explorer 12, then.

NEW---------WINDOWS 9 EXPLORER CONCEPT

Microsoft is sure to introduce a few new changes in File Explorer on Windows 9. However, what we’ve seen so far is nothing too exciting — probably because these are still early days when it comes to development of the operating system.

However, one designer took matters into his own hands, and created his own modern interpretation.

One of the more interesting of ideas is the blending of a dark, contrasting look. The ribbon is dark, an understated shade of black. And while it looks great, it is hard to see Microsoft going this route as opposed to the tried and tested interface that is being used since Windows 98.

He has also included what he calls instant quick view options and mouse gestures to help with navigation and make management easier and faster. Sublime.

While it is unlikely that File Explorer will get a major makeover in Windows 9, this is one of the better designed concept to come our way.

Microsoft gets ready to introduce the next Windows OS?

More language news today, as the president of Microsoft France actually shared his thoughts on Windows 9 release. Pure, unfiltered thoughts, one can say.

Microsoft's event is set on Sept. 30, and the world is looking forward to the announcement of the upcoming Windows 9 beta version to be shown as a "technical preview." As the features and release date of the Windows 9 is highly anticipated,Myce.com had gotten hold of a leaked document posted online last May that also mentions the Windows Phone 9, although the document is not exclusively about the mobile operating system.

While there have been no specific details on the said update, information about Windows 9 has been going around, which highlights the return of the Start menu along with the absence of the charms bar. Its predecessor, Windows 8, was met with mixed reviews due to efforts on combining both desktop and mobile features that may have discouraged many new users.

Other main features that have been reported include "update items" such as the improvements to Windows activation and Notification Center, Windows Defender, and OneDrive. Cortana, known as the Windows Phone 8.1 virtual personal assistant, was also mentioned as a possible addition to Windows 9.

Windows 9 release date, price, features: Windows 9 beta set for 30 September unveiling

Microsoft has sent out invitations for an event on 30 September where it is expected to announce the Windows 9 beta as a 'technical preview'. Here's everything you need to know about the Windows 9 release date and new features including the return of the start menu and loss of the charms bar. Updated on 19/09/14.

Windows 9 release date

Microsoft has not mentioned Windows 9 by name but the image at the top of the article was posted by the firm's Chinese division on Weibo saying ""Microsoft’s latest OS Windows 9 is coming soon, 

Do you think the start menu at the left bottom will make a come back?

We expect Windows 9 to launch in PCs, laptops, tablets and phones that you can buy in April 2015 but Microsoft is likely to show it off - to some extent - on 30 September as it has now sent out invites to an event where it will outline 'what's next for Winodws and the enterprise'. Microsoft will reportedly show off a 'Windows Technical Preview' and we expect that availability for the Windows 9 beta will be announced.