Microsoft Windows 8 Update to be known as “Windows 8.1”

Last week we blogged that Microsoft is making changes to its Windows 8 OS, reportedly naming it Microsoft Blue. Today, we heard that the company has now renamed this initiative Windows 8.1.  

Per a Microsoft blog post, it was announced two days ago at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston that the update previously referred to as “Windows Blue” will be called Windows 8.1and will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store.

According to the blog, Reller reiterated Microsoft’s goal of delivering continual updates to create a richer experience for Windows customers. “Windows 8.1 is part of that and continues the journey we first began with Windows 8 last fall,” she said. “Windows 8.1 will help us to deliver the next generation of PCs and tablets with our OEM partners and to deliver the experiences customers— both consumers and businesses alike —need and will just expect moving forward.”

The blog also notes that Reller mentioned a public preview of Windows 8.1, (for both Windows 8 and Windows RT), which will be starting on June 26; it will be timed with the Build developer conference in San Francisco.