Window 9 "Project Threshold" will be completed till April 2015

Microsoft is currently working on the next version of the Windows operating system and has a tentative release date of April 2015 for the general public. Using the code name “Threshold” within the company, the next version of Windows is being positioned to recapture the portion of the PC market that’s unhappy with Windows 8.

It appears that Microsoft is currently planning to use the Windows 9 branding and vision as a way to move away from some of the criticisms of the Windows 8 operating system. It’s not immediately clear what type of changes will be made to Windows 9, but "Metro 2.0" inside the new OS will reportedly include a major focus on improving Microsoft’s new app world and tiles. Previous rumors have suggested Microsoft is planning to separate out its Windows 8-style ("Metro") apps to allow them to float and run in separate windows on the traditional desktop. The Verge understands Microsoft is also planning a Start menu return for Windows 9, but that the company may deliver this early in a second "Update 2" for Windows 8.1 later this year.

Microsoft will reportedly use three major milestone development points for Windows 9, but it’s not clear how many of them will be released to the public during the development period. The software maker is currently in the final planning stages for Windows 9 and work is expected to begin after the Build 2014 developer conference in April. It sounds like Microsoft will use Build 2014 as a launch point for its vision of Windows 9, detailing some of the planned changes in an attempt to generate excitement around the company’s future plans.

However, Microsoft is working on an update to Windows 8.1 that’s expected to launch to the public as early as April 2014. Details on what’s specifically included within the release aren’t available at this time, but it’s likely that it will be a combination service pack and feature set update.