Windows 9 is reportedly coming as early as Sept. 30, and it’s got some big changes.

Windows 9 may be coming even before you begin thinking about a Halloween costume. A new report says Microsoft will give the world a first look at the new version of Windows on Sept. 30 or soon afterward at a press event to announce a developer build of the software.

The Verge reports the date is tentative, but the general timeframe is the end of September/beginning of October. The software will be a “preview” version meant for developers, the report says, so it’s unclear if the rumored public beta for Windows 9 would begin at the same time.

Windows 9, which Microsoft has codenamed “Threshold,” will revamp Windows to address some key usability criticisms of Windows 8/8.1. For starters, it’s bringing back the Start menu (which was “blown out” into the Start screen with Windows 8) and enhancing it with some elements of the “modern” UI. Also, modern Windows apps will be able to run within a window on the Desktop.

In the “rumored but unconfirmed” column, Windows 9 may also do away with the Charms menu, which has proved unpopular with users and developers (just try using the “Share” charm from any modern app). Cortana, the voice assistant on Windows Phone, is also expected to appear in Windows 9, although she may not be in the developer preview that’s supposed to launch in the fall.

Representatives for Microsoft declined to comment on the report.

 
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