Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

Big Windows 9 leak reveals ‘awesome’ upgrade pricing for XP and Windows 8 users

Published Aug 26th, 2014 2:00PM EDT
BGR

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

As Microsoft is readying the public release of its Windows 9 Technical Preview, Myce reports that Russian hacker group WZOR has released more details about the upcoming operating system.

FROM EARLIER: More big Windows 9 UI updates revealed in new leak

According to the group, Microsoft is still toying with the idea of making Windows 9 a free upgrade for existing users who have purchased a retail or OEM version of Windows 8. The company is also toying with the idea of selling the upgrade to Windows 9 for just $20.

Similarly, an “awesome” upgrade offer is apparently in the works for Windows XP users, whom Microsoft is desperately trying to move to a newer Windows versions. Specific details about this upgrade proposal, or the actual Windows 9 retail price, aren’t available at this time.

WZOR has further revealed that a special Windows 9 Enterprise (Technical Preview) that lacks the Metro interface has been released to testers, and that a Windows 9 Pro OEM test version won’t be released.

Other leaked Windows 9 features include support for 3D Ultra HDTVs and for backing up and restoring data to the cloud. Furthermore, Microsoft is apparently working on a feature that would allow users “to virtualize backups of physical systems in the cloud,” as Myce puts it.

Finally, a Windows 9 RT version is also in the works, and a test version will be available as well, but only to Microsoft Surface users.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.