Microsoft announced Today an update to its Windows 8 software known by its code name “Windows Blue.”

Windows 8.1 will be a free update for all Windows users  and is expected to debuts later this year,  said Tami Reller, CFO and CMO of Windows, in a presentation today at JP Morgan’s Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in Boston.

The update will be available for both Windows 8 and Windows RT  via the Windows Start Screen through the Windows store.

Windows Blog:

Today at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston, Tami Reller shared with the audience that the update previously referred to as “Windows Blue” will be called Windows 8.1 and will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store.

During her remarks today, Tami reiterated our goal of delivering continual updates to create a richer experience for Windows customers. Windows 8.1 is part of that and continues the journey we first began with Windows 8 last fall. Windows 8.1 will help us to deliver the next generation of PCs and tablets with our OEM partners and to deliver the experiences customers— both consumers and businesses alike —need and will just expect moving forward.

Today, there are more devices – and choice – allowing you to pick the right Windows 8 device that meets your needs. Windows 8 provides a great experience for consuming and creating content, for both work and play and on the go. And you’ll immediately benefit from continual updates – whether it’s from app updates through the Windows Store, performance updates through Windows Update or the Windows 8.1 update later this year.

We have much more to share about Windows 8.1 in the coming weeks. We will also be making a public preview of Windows 8.1 available starting on June 26, timed with the Build developer conference in San Francisco. The preview will be available for Windows 8 and Windows RT.

Microsoft said it will be making a public preview of Windows 8.1 available starting on June 26.

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