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