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Microsoft To Offer Weekly Windows 8 Updates

By July 2, 2013March 6th, 2023Technology News

Windows_Logo_by_reenanTo keep up with the ever-changing technology industry, Microsoft announced last Monday that it will now be offering weekly updates to their newest version of Windows, Windows 8. Microsoft believes that this will help them not only keep up with competitors, but possibly stay ahead of the curve as well in some areas.

Microsoft has historically released a new copy of its operating system once every three years or so. When the company started, this was a good speed – but research shows it’s just not fast enough for the customers of today. Marissa Webster, IDC analyst, said that the three-year update schedule makes “Microsoft look like a dinosaur. Three years is a lifetime in tech these days.”

The weekly updates will be addressing minor issues such as bug reports and small hiccups in the system. Once or twice a year, the company plans to release an “alteration” package to update Windows 8, this package will make major upgrades to the operating system.

Microsoft also announced its plans to begin offering weekly updates to the Office software suite as well, and eventually they will move to updating other popular Microsoft applications too. They have already begun working on Office 365 and the bug and functionality reports this week.

Microsoft has long depended on the feedback of the consumers to “fix” its programs, meaning that updates really didn’t get released more often than once every few years after the initial one or two updates that fixed the major functionality bugs. While Microsoft uses this model, it’s unlikely the company will be able to take as many user suggestions into each and every update.

“This is a foundational shift that [will] permeate through the organization,” said lead engineer for Office 365, Bobby Kishore. “We can’t just rely on some focus groups. We have to be led by data.”

Photo credit: Windows/Microsoft

Jason Manteiga

Jason J. Manteiga, Vice President of Olmec Systems, has been part of the company for over the past 20 years. He believes that having a great work environment and supportive team, is the ultimate key to success. Since being in the IT realm for over 25 years, Jason, along with Olmec Systems, has been on the Inc. 5000 “List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies” and Channel Futures MSP 501 “Top Managed Service Providers in North America,” along with other awards and nominations. Jason earned his Bachelor Degree in Information Systems from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He also holds certifications in Microsoft MCSE, VMWare VCP, and Cisco CCNA. In his spare time, Jason is a contributor for The Center for Social & Legal Research (Privacy Exchange) and a member of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies include cycling and kayaking. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters and son.