Microsoft jumps back to the start button with Windows 10

AFTER the flop of Windows 8, Microsoft has announced... Windows 10? At least the start button has returned.

This image provided by Microsoft shows the start menu of Windows 10, the company's next version of its flagship operating system. The company is skipping version 9 to emphasize advances it is making toward a world centered on mobile devices and Internet services. (AP Photo/Microsoft)

MICROSOFT has declared the new version of its operating system is so advanced that the normal numbering system of counting does not do justice to all of its features.

After the disappointment of Windows 8, Microsoft has skipped 9 and announced its next OS will be Windows 10 — and it will have the Start button that Windows 8 dropped to the dismay of many.

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In an event in San Francisco, Microsoft announced the operating system will be released late next year. And the release will bring a universal naming system across devices — whether you want a tablet, a desktop computer or a phone with Microsoft software, they will all be running on Windows 10.

Counting with Microsoft Windows: 1 2 3 95 XP Vista 7 8 10 #Clippy

— Mark Samuels (@mark_samuels) September 30, 2014

The new operating system looks to combine features of both Windows 7 that remains popular with business and the modern user interface of Windows 8, with the ability to personalise the start menu.

Microsoft has posted a blog aimed at explaining why Windows 10 should be embraced by businesses after they were not won over by Windows 8. The benefits the blog post promotes includes security, familiarity and “virtually no learning curve”.

One of the criticisms of Windows 8 is that is set out to be all things to all people, with navigation elements that might work on a touchscreen device jarring for those people using it on a desktop computer with a mouse.

Microsoft says a new feature called Continuum will better merge the touchscreen and keyboard elements and will automatically detect how people are using their computer.

Microsoft will release a beta version to advance developers later this week.

It did not announce a price for the new software or whether it will follow Apple’s recent lead of giving away operating software updates for free.

The initial feedback shows that not everyone is convinced that jumping nine in the naming sequence will be enough for Microsoft to ensure people forget their disappointment with Windows 8.

Now announcing Windows 10 because we already screwed up on 9! but that didn't stop us from making Windows 8 :D

— Entoan (@EntoanThePack) September 30, 2014

So since Microsoft skipped windows 9, which was the good Tick, does that mean windows 10 is going to be the bad Tock? Oh man :/ That sucks.

— Farook Baig (@iFarook13) September 30, 2014