Microsoft is experimenting with a free upgrade to Windows 8.1 With Bing

Microsoft is said to be planning to provide free Windows 8.1 updates to Windows 7 users. This special Windows 8.1 With Bing version should increase the number of users of the OS. It is still unclear what the differences with the ‘regular’ Windows 8.1 are.

According to The Verge, Microsoft is experimenting with free versions of Windows 8.1. It is also possible that users will have to pay a small amount, although no precise prices are mentioned. This special Windows 8.1 With Bing variant would become available to Windows 7 users: they can upgrade to Windows 8.1 this way for free or cheap.

ZDNet previously talked about the existence of a special Bing version of Windows 8.1. According to the site there would be minor differences with the regular version, but no further details are mentioned. It is also not yet known why the brand name Bing is mentioned: Bing services are already included in the current version of Windows 8.1.

Earlier, rumors came out that Microsoft has lowered the license prices for manufacturers of cheap PCs. The company is said to have done so because the Windows 8 operating system has not yet caught on with the general public. Also, the Windows Phone operating system would have been made cheaper. Possibly even free versions of the mobile OS would be considered.