Windows 9

Windows 9, codenamed Dallas, was the successor version of Windows to Windows 8.1, released to the public on January 23, 2014. It was supported by Microsoft until November 2, 2024. The goal of Windows 9 was to increase the mobile compatibility of Windows 8.1, to create a new UI, and to test the new Windows 10 Beta features with the public (an idea that was later elaborated on with the release of the Insider program.

The UI of Windows 9 featured a new theme (which was later removed in Windows 10) that was copied straight from a Windows 8 beta and was a hybrid of Metro and Aero designs. It also had an alpha version of Cortana. Windows 9 was well-recieved by the public, and was a substantial improvent over Windows 8.1.

However, Windows 9 was overshadowed by the new concept of Windows 10 a few months later, which started development in July 2014. But Microsoft still updated Windows 9 to Windows 9.1 shortly before the release of Windows 10 anyways.