I am still using Windows 7 and like it very much so it seems to me that Microsoft could do a lot worse than have to Windows 9 be the new Windows 7. I managed to skip the worst of the Windows bombs (Vista, Windows 8) with the exception of ME. What a turd that was.
Windows 8.1 is a fine operating system.
Just saying.
Vista was light years ahead of windows 8. I have a windows 7 gamer and use windows 7 at work but I still prefer XP to both vista and windows 7. After four or five days of working with a windows 8 laptop that replaced my vista laptop when it broke I returned it and went with a mini Mac for momma. I am using an I Pad. That said I am not a real apple fan either. All I want from the computer geniuses is better performance without having to constantly learn a new user interface every time they come out with a new version. I went with the Mac because the user interface was closer to what my wife was used to and she is nervous around computers. I will NEVER buy another Windows machine again until a familiar interface is restored. Who needs all this frustration all the time.
I'm on 7 also (stayed on XP long enough to skip Vista). I can picture them taking something from LINUX and offering a variety of desktops to choose from. Anything is better than the 8 offering, but I've heard some say they really like 8.1 with the more traditional desktop in play. I figure I have another year or two with my 7 machine before I have to make a decision.