Microsoft offers free Windows 8.1 updates

As Microsoft begins its product overhaul of Windows 8, the software giant says a free Windows 8.1 update will be available on June 26.

Following a dramatic u-turn last week, Microsoft's CMO and CFO Tami Reller admitted a refreshed version of Windows was on the way, formerly named Windows Blue.

"The Windows 8 update formerly known as “Windows Blue” will be called Windows 8.1, and consumers will be able to get it as a free update to Windows from the Windows Store," said Reller, at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston today.

Writing a follow-up post to the news on the Blogging Windows site, Brandon LeBlance added:

“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.

"Windows 8 was built for a world that blends our work and our personal lives, a world where we expect high quality touch experiences everywhere, and a world that is always on the go and always connected. Windows 8 redefines our market from PCs to mobile computing.

"We are pleased with the progress we’ve seen with Windows 8 so far."

At today's conference Reller reiterated Microsoft's 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," LeBlanc wrote.

"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."

As reported in TechDay late last month, most are expecting Microsoft to restore the Start button to the operating system in a bid to win back users, question is, will it work? Tell us your thoughts below