Microsoft will formally announce its Windows 9 operating system at its Build conference in April, according to a report.

Tech blogger Paul Thurrott claims to have heard that the computing giant is dropping the Windows 8 branding for its next-generation OS due to the negative reception the software received from sections of the PC industry.



"To distance itself from the Windows 8 debacle, Microsoft is currently planning to drop the Windows 8 name and brand this next release as Windows 9. That could change, but that's the current thinking," he wrote.



"Maturing and fixing the 'Metro' design language used by Windows will be a major focus area of Threshold."

The report suggests that Microsoft will reveal its vision for Windows 9 alongside an update to the current-gen Windows 8.1, which launched two months ago.

Previous rumours suggest that the firm is also planning to announce a miniature version of its Surface tablet, and its Windows Phone 8.1 OS at Build.

Windows 9 will reportedly launch in April 2015.

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