This out of Softpedia, reporting on an interview with MS Indonesia President Andreas Diantoro. During this interview, he reportedly said that Windows 8 would update to Windows 9 Technical Preview (original story at detik.com). This comes after MS France’s President said that the preview would be coming this week.
Apparently, W8 will update to W9 without the need for a clean install. MS is neither confirming nor denying this (Google Translate of the original):
“It’s easy, when Windows 9 will be released, users who are using Windows 8 just have to update via their device. Then Windows 9 will be installed automatically.”- Diantoro
Softpedia also writes that apps and settings might be lost. That’s not reassuring.
Also, this is kind of a weird way for something this big to be announced, unless you’re interested in maximum buzz.
Then yesterday, someone at MS made a ‘mistake’, and the staging site for the Technical Preview was revealed:
So, Neowin reports via a tip that MS will be naming the OS (officially) on Tuesday, and that also an ‘insider’s program’ will exist for those who wish to participate in this preview. According to Neowin, the description of the program says:
"Get the latest preview builds as soon as they're available plus access to an easy-to-use feedback app." and the link takes you to insider.microsoft.com, but the link is currently dead.” – Neowin
This does tie the ‘leaks’ (if they were that, and not advertising ‘teasers’), as well the ‘rapid release feature’ that Neowin reported earlier this year.
Again, MS isn’t confirming whether the technical preview will be released this week, but MS is definitely releasing a technical preview to the general consumer population. Maybe.
My thoughts?
- Check up what’s in every update before allowing installation (if W9 Tech Preview comes this way).
- If W9 (or whatever they decide to call it) comes via special app (or program), check out whether it’s reliable or not, and problems with it. That’s why I say, “Wait, don’t be the first.”
- You better know how to roll it back before allowing the ‘Update’.
- This ‘rapid release’ thing? I hope it’s only after real testing (not Apple’s variety) or the .NET MS follies, or 1 applies.
- Don’t do it without first doing a full disk backup image.
- Watch out for scams and phony update/download links. Mouse over them before even thinking of clicking.
Sources for this are in the links.