Why the next version of Windows is Windows 10 and not 9

Microsoft revealed information about the next version of Windows today and one of the big surprises is that the next version of Windows will be Windows 10 and not Windows 9.

Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 to be precise, is the current version of Windows which succeeded Windows 7. It felt natural to many that the next version of the operating system would be called Windows 9 because of that.

Names are not set in stone though as Microsoft has shown in the past. The move from Windows Vista to Windows 7 was not really expected either and it did work out quite well for the company.

Windows 10 on the other hand breaks the pattern as 9 should have followed 7 and 8. Users who comment on sites such as The Verge are confused by Microsoft's decision and it is likely that Microsoft could have avoided this by using a different number or name entirely.

Why Windows 10 then and not another name?

One could argue that it does not really matter how the next version of Windows is called as it does not really matter if it is called Windows 9, Windows 10, Windows One or Windows Threshold.

Most consumers get the system pre-installed on devices they purchase, and the ones that buy operating systems separately are usually not confused that easily.

But is it really that confusing? If you want to buy the latest version of Windows and find Windows 10 listed by stores, would you really wonder why there is no Windows 9 if you are running a system with Windows 7 or 8? Or would you simply assume that 9 does not really matter because there is 10 available already?

If you read Microsoft's announcement on the official Windows Blog you will notice that Windows 10 is seen as a new beginning for Windows.

Windows 10 represents the first step of a whole new generation of Windows. Windows 10 unlocks new experiences for customers to work, play and connect. Windows 10 embodies what our customers (both consumers and enterprises) demand and what we will deliver.

That's why Microsoft picked Windows 10 as the new name and not Windows 9. If it would have picked Windows 9, it would fall in line with the previous versions of Windows. Windows 10 however symbolizes a new beginning both for the operating system and Microsoft as well.

Microsoft could have named it Windows One as well for example and it would not have made much of a difference either.
Fun Facts and wild guessesInfoworld writer Pete Babb

• predicted the skipping of Wind0ws 9 back in April 2013 (April's Fools).Windows 10 was picked to be eye to eye with Apple's OS X operating system.Windows 8.1 is considered Windows 9 because 8+1=9.Windows 9  is pronounced nein, the German word for No.

Sign-ups for Microsoft's Windows Insider Program start tomorrow while the operating system itself will be released in late 2015 according to the company.What's your take on this? Why Windows 10 and not another name?