Microsoft reveals the reason why there was no Windows 9

By Darren Allan 07 May 2015

When Windows 10 was first announced, everyone immediately had one burning question to ask Microsoft concerning the freshly rejigged OS. And that question was: “Uhh, what the hell happened to Windows 9?”

Windows 8 followed sequentially on from Windows 7, but somehow, Windows 9 got skipped – and it seems that’s something Redmond isn’t afraid to joke about, via Joe Belfiore’s and other Microsoft staff members’ T-shirts.

Yes, Business Insider reports that Belfiore (who is Corporate VP of Operating Systems at Microsoft) was snapped wearing the special T-shirt at the Build conference last week, with the garment bearing a binary-coded message that enterprising developer Kevin Gosse deciphered by scrutinising the photo.

So what did it say? Well, there were four sentences in binary in each quadrant of the Windows logo on the shirt, one of which ‘explained’ the fate of Windows 9.

It read: “Windows 10, because 7 8 9.”

Ha-ha, indeed. If you don’t get it, read the sentence out loud – because apparently, Windows 7 ate Windows 9.

This is actually a joke that has done the rounds on the net before, as was another of the coded sentences, which read: “There are 10 types of people in the world” – an old binary gag.

The real reason why Windows 9 was ditched? We reckon it’s simply because Microsoft wanted to literally put some distance between the flop that was (and still is) Windows 8 and its successor. It’s a psychological play and a reference to the fact that Windows 10 is a big step on, and far removed, from Windows 8.

Why there is no «Windows 9» but Windows 10 ?

9 Answers

Some really old programs check for «Windows 9» when targeting computers running Windows 95 or 98 operating systems. If they had named it Windows 9 then these programs could break causing who knows what kind of damage.

So the decision was made to skip the Windows 9 brand and go with 10 instead.

The official answer from Windows (a well-known joke by now, it’s all over the web): “Windows 10, because 7 8 9.”

I’m protesting against windows 10. So I’m having a lot of fun with windows 98. Just a few more thousand updates to go! My friends think I’m ridiculous, but I’m going through with it!

that was a marketing decision mainly. they felt with all these changes after windows 8, that it didn’t really feel like windows 9, so they called it windows 10 instead.

Windows 8 was so bad, according to the majority, that Microsoft wanted to distance themselves as far as possible from it.

Microsoft wanted to express that win 10 is a next generation OS.

Because Bill Gates hates the letter 9.

They figured nine would suck anyway so they just skipped to 10

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Why is it called Windows 10 and not Windows 9?

Windows 10 is finally here — and it’s been a long and winding road. Let’s step back for a moment and address one of the most confusing things about the latest version of Windows. When Microsoft announced its newest operating system last year, the surprise was not that it was coming, but that Windows would be skipping version 9 and heading straight to 10. When asked about Windows 10’s name, Microsoft never really gave a clear answer. So why, exactly, did Windows 10 get the nod instead of 9?

Version numbers, schmersion numbers

You may remember that between Windows 3 and Windows 7, Microsoft designated each version with a name instead of a number: 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000, Vista, and so on. When the company announced Windows 7, there was actually a similar amount of disbelief; after a series of named versions of Windows, it seemed odd to switch back to numbers.

Windows 8.1: Actually version 6.3, build 9600.

There’s also the fact that the name of each Windows release doesn’t actually match the real version number. For example, Windows 8.1 is actually version 6.3 of Windows. Windows 10 is version 6.4. The last time the release name actually matched the version number was the enterprise-focused Windows NT 4.0, which was released back in 1996. Windows 2000, which was called NT 5.0 during development, was actually version 5.0. Windows XP was version 5.1. Windows Vista was 6.0, Windows 7 was 6.1, Windows 8 was 6.2, and Windows 8.1 is version 6.3.

Windows RT, which only ran Metro apps, was a new and separate beast, but it still sat on top of the core Windows NT kernel. That one is dead now.

Modern versions of Windows are still based on the Vista kernel and code base — including Windows 10, which is actually Windows 6.4. There will be some confusion if (or when) we eventually reach internal version 7.0, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Alternative theories for skipping Windows 9

An ExtremeTech reader called Benny sent us an email to say that the number 9 is considered unlucky in Japan. Microsoft has a big enough presence in Japan that it may have skipped Windows 9 to avoid any weirdness or ill will. Benny says that Trend Micro — a Japanese company — did the same thing a few years ago when it skipped version 9 of its antivirus software.

Second, someone purporting to be a Microsoft developer posted this comment on Reddit:

As insane as that hack sounds, it’s feasible that there are still plenty of legacy Desktop apps that use this method (or something similar) to check for Windows 95 or 98. Bear in mind that this is just an example piece of code — some developers will check for the OS name (“Windows…”), some will check for the version number (as discussed in the previous section of this story), and some may use other methods entirely to find out what OS the app is running on.

What’s in a name?

Ultimately, Windows 10 is just a name. Windows 9 probably would’ve made more sense — and it’s always going to cause some grief with novice users who just don’t understand what happened to Windows 9. But Windows 10 isn’t any more right or wrong than calling Vista’s successor Windows 7.

Why Windows 10 wasn’t called Windows One: “It has been done before” (by Bill Gates)

Perhaps a better question to ask is why did Microsoft call it Windows 10 specifically, and not something else? During the launch event (video embedded above) Myerson gives us a few clues. Starting at around the 2:10 mark, he said the following: “We know, based on the product that’s coming, and just how different our approach will be overall, it wouldn’t be right to call it Windows 9.” He then talks about how Windows One would make sense with Xbox One, OneDrive, and OneNote, “but unfortunately Windows 1 has been done by the giants that came before us.” And so it seems the only other viable option was Windows 10.

Microsoft’s seemingly arbitrary naming convention of Windows 10 is an interesting one. It’s a strong-sounding version number — and it’s also a neat way of distancing it from Windows 8, which Microsoft really wants to bury in the living room couch cushions when no one is looking. In fact, this may even be the same trick that Microsoft used to make us forget about Vista: “Hey, with a name like Windows 7, it must be very different from Vista.”

Apple’s OS X has been OS X for 14 years now — and shows no sign of being retired

What about any similarity to Apple’s Mac OS X? Apple did a similar thing, after all: Its operating system versions steadily increased from System 1 through 7, then switched to Mac OS 8 and 9, and when it got to OS 10 (X) in 2001, it stopped altogether. We don’t think Microsoft is intentionally copying Apple with Windows 10. But the marketing department has to be aware of both the positive and negative repercussions of wanting to ride on Apple’s coattails.

Finally, given how Windows 10 is meant to be a single platform for just about every form factor, plus the massive weight and importance that Microsoft is lending to this release, we wouldn’t be surprised if it sticks around for a long time — and Microsoft has made noises indicating it wants to move to an ongoing, evolving OS without specific version numbers.

So that’s it: Windows 10 is called Windows 10 because Microsoft says so — even if “Windows” or “Windows X” would’ve been better. Check out our continuing Windows 10 coverage for more information.

James Plafke contributed to this article.

Check out our ExtremeTech Explains series for more in-depth coverage.

Question: Why Is There No Windows 9?

When the company announced Windows 7, there was actually a similar amount of disbelief; after a series of named versions of Windows, it seemed odd to switch back to numbers.

There’s also the fact that the name of each Windows release doesn’t actually match the real version number.

Why did they skip Windows 9?

Microsoft said it skipped Windows 9 because it wanted to show how big of shift Windows 10 is from past versions and the way the company does things. At Microsoft’s Build conference last week, Microsoft employees were wearing blue shirts that had the Windows logo filled with binary code.

What ever happened to Windows 9?

Microsoft simply decided not to name their Windows 8 successor as Windows 9 but went with Windows 10 instead, which was originally code-named Threshold. You don’t have to download something called “Windows 9” and, technically, you don’t even really need to understand why Microsoft skipped it.

Will there be a Windows 11?

Windows 12 is all about VR. Our sources from the company confirmed that Microsoft is planning to release a new operating system called Windows 12 in early 2019. Indeed, there will be no Windows 11, as the company decided to jump straight to Windows 12.

Did Windows 8 fail?

Windows 8 market adoption numbers are well behind Microsoft’s greatest previous operating system failure, Vista. Windows fans will whine, but Net Applications’ desktop operating systems numbers don’t lie. Windows 8’s failure is actually greater than it appears.

Why did Apple skip the 9?

But often it’s for the same reason that Apple skipped 9 – because the company wants to signify a new beginning for a product, just as Microsoft did when it skipped Windows 9 and went straight to Windows 10 from Windows 8 (OK, it was Windows 8.1 for the pedants out there).

Why did iPhone and Windows skip 9?

The theories swirling around the iPhone X and the lack of an iPhone 9 range from grim to hilarious, but perhaps the easiest to understand the reason for the skip in this particular instance is that the tech is being announced on the tenth anniversary of the iPhone’s original release date.

Why is it called Windows 10?

When Microsoft took the wraps off its new software on Tuesday, many expected the operating system to be called Windows 9, not Windows 10. As it turns out, there could be a specific reason Microsoft chose to skip a number in its naming convention.

Can I still get Windows Movie Maker?

Microsoft decided to drop Movie Maker from the operating system add-ons, as they say it’s not supported for Windows 10. However, Microsoft does say you can still download Movie Maker “if you really want it.” You’ll need to download the installer for Windows Essentials 2012, which can be found here.

Why is Windows 7 called Windows 7?

No count makes sense but Microsoft confusingly called its first NT operating system “Windows NT 3.1” and so the next major release was NT4. Windows 2000 naturally became 5.0, and after XP was released as 5.1, Vista became version 6. The next one therefore had to be Windows 7. And it sounds nice.

Is Windows 10 being replaced?

Microsoft confirms ‘S Mode’ will replace Windows 10 S. This week, Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore confirmed the rumor that Windows 10 S would no longer be standalone software. Instead, users will be able to access the platform as a “mode” within existing full Windows 10 installations.

Is Windows 10 a good operating system?

Microsoft’s free Windows 10 upgrade offer is ending soon — July 29, to be exact. If you’re currently running Windows 7, 8, or 8.1, you might be feeling the pressure to upgrade for free (while you still can). Not so fast! While a free upgrade is always tempting, Windows 10 might not be the operating system for you.

Will there be a Windows 12?

Yes, you’ve read that right! Our sources from the company confirmed that Microsoft is planning to release a new operating system called Windows 12 in early 2019. Indeed, there will be no Windows 11, as the company decided to jump straight to Windows 12.

Is Windows 8 still OK?

When Windows 8.1 was released in October 2013, Microsoft made it clear to Windows 8 customers that they had two years to upgrade. Microsoft said then it would no longer support the old version of the operating system by 2016. Windows 8 customers can still use their computers. Many customers will say “good riddance.”

What are the best Windows?

10 best and worst versions of Windows: What’s the best Windows OS?

• Windows 8.
• Windows 3.0.
• Windows 10.
• Windows 1.0.
• Windows RT.
• Windows Me. Windows Me launched in 2000 and was the last DOS-based flavour of Windows.
• Windows Vista. We’ve reached the end of our list.
• What’s your favourite Windows OS? Promoted.

Are there still updates for Windows 8?

Microsoft has ended mainstream support for Windows 8.1, more than five years after its debut. The operating system, which was offered as a free upgrade to Windows 8 users, has moved to the extended support phase, in which it will continue to receive updates, albeit in a more limited fashion.

Why there is no Windows 9 or iPhone 9?

As you can see, the reasons for skipping the “9” are not universal. They are simply happenstance that necessitated skipping “9″ for both Windows and iPhone. *OS X has been renamed macOS. This was possibly due to the release of the iPhone X, which used the same naming scheme as the desktop OS.

Is iPhone 9 coming out?

iPhone 2018 and iPhone 9: Release Date, Specifications, Features, Rumors and News. Apple will be launching three new phones this September, but one of them might be a cheaper variant. It will probably be called the iPhone 9 and the price will be nearer to the price of the iPhone 8, rather than that of the iPhone X.

Why did Apple take away the headphone jack?

The move was controversial, but Apple reasoned that people were increasingly turning to wireless headphones and the headphone jack was an outdated technology. To allow those who preferred wired headphones to continue using their devices, Apple bundled an adapter in the box that plugged into the device’s Lightning port.

Do we have Windows 9?

When the company announced Windows 7, there was actually a similar amount of disbelief; after a series of named versions of Windows, it seemed odd to switch back to numbers. For example, Windows 8.1 is actually version 6.3 of Windows.

Is Nine an unlucky number?

Number 9 is sometimes pronounced ku — with the same pronunciation as agony or torture. Due to these unlucky connotations, the numbers 4 and 9 are often pronounced yon and kyuu instead. The number 13 is occasionally thought of as unlucky, although this is imported from Western culture.

Why is 9 an unlucky number?

9: Just as the number four has a bad-luck soundalike in Chinese, 9 is feared in Japan because it sounds similar to the Japanese word for torture or suffering.

Does Microsoft sell Windows 7 anymore?

The most expensive option is to purchase a full retail license for Windows 7. It’s guaranteed to work with any PC, with no installation or licensing complications. The problem is finding this software, which Microsoft stopped selling years ago. Most online merchants today offer only OEM copies of Windows 7.

How old is windows7?

It’s a mind game, and let’s face it Windows 7 is really old. It will be six years old in October, and that’s a long time in this modern technology era. Microsoft will take any opportunity to remind everyone that Windows 7 is really old as Windows 10 approaches.

Can I upgrade to Windows 7 for free?

You cannot do an in-place upgrade from Vista to Windows 10, and therefore Microsoft did not offer Vista users a free upgrade. However, you can certainly buy an upgrade to Windows 10 and do a clean installation. Technically, it’s too late to get a free upgrade from Windows 7 or 8/8.1 to Windows 10.

Does the iPhone 9 exist?

The iPhone 7, 8, 9. Apple just announced its iPhone X. While the iPhone 8 is an iPhone 7S in all but name, the number jump across all the new iPhone models means we’re now officially missing an iPhone 9. Apple’s typical S naming is gone for this year at least, which isn’t entirely surprising.

Is there a new iPhone coming out 2018?

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, introduced on September 12, 2018, are Apple’s two current flagship iPhones, featuring the most advanced technology Apple has introduced in an iPhone. Both of the new iPhones look similar to the iPhone X, but in addition to the 5.8-inch model, there’s also now a larger 6.5-inch model.

Is Apple coming out with a new iPhone?

Apple is expected to debut refreshed iPhones in September 2019, and rumors about the new devices are already circulating.

Does the iPhone 9 have a headphone jack?

None of the headphones in the new lineup, which includes the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, and iPhone 7, have a headphone jack. Apple is continuing to sell the Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter separately for $9.

Can you remove Samsung headphone jack?

Next year, Samsung phones may not have a headphone jack. ETnews’ sources claim the company will remove the headphone jack after fall 2019 and ship a USB-C-to-3.5mm dongle with its phones. The good news is that this timeline — if true — means that Samsung’s Galaxy S10 will probably still have the 3.5mm audio jack.

Why does the iPhone 7 not have a headphone jack?

Doom is upon us, or wired headphones, or something like that. Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 7 does not include a headphone jack. In its absence, owners will have to use Lightning or Bluetooth headphones, both of which will be more expensive than a pair that ends in the traditional 3.5mm connector.