More Modern UI tweaks leak out leading up to the Windows 9 preview

sincity · August 26, 2014

An interactive user interface looks to be a major part of Windows 9 along with reviving the desktop.

Winbeta reports Microsoft's next operating system, codenamed Treshold, will include Live Tiles and a notification center. While we've already seen Live Tiles incorporated into the returning mini-Start menu, Winbeta suggests this functionality could extend to the Start Screen as well.

Supposedly these interactive Live Tiles will let users view information such as email without actually having to open the application itself. The feature was previously seen this April at Microsoft Research's TechFest 2014 event but now it seems the feature could become an experimental reality.

Live Tiles will also be purportedly incorporated into some, but not all, of Windows 9's main apps. Third-party application could also get support for the interactive functionality but developers will have to update their software accordingly.

A notification center could also be another new feature coming to Windows 9. Much like the notification center Windows Phone 8.1 introduced, this panel could give users a quick overview of new messages, app updates and the like.

In or out

Sources in the know of Microsoft's Windows 9 plans also are unsure whether these two features will appear in the technical preview rumored for a September 30 unveiling.

All the news we've heard about Windows 9 suggests Microsoft is taking a hardline stance on bringing back an OS designed for desktops. This includes doing away with the Charms bar on PCs and laptops, as well as the Start Menu coming back.

It's becoming clear Microsoft wants to separate the Modern UI from the desktop version of Threshold. With this mind users may not see these new features or even the Start Screen in the preview build of Windows 9.