Microsoft has now finally and officially named its Windows Blue as the Windows 8.1 and revealed it as a next major update that will actually be a free update for existing Windows 8 users.

During the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston, Microsoft's Tami Reller revealed the plans that the company has for Windows 8.1 and announced that the first public preview will be at Build developer conference in San Francisco. The good part of the story is that the new Windows 8.1 update will be free for all existing Windows 8 users as a simple package at Windows Store.

According to earlier rumors, the new Windows 8.1 update should bring a so called "desktop mode" that should bring back the "standard" start button and more. It should also feature a bunch of other tweaks, bug fixes and improvements but we'll have to wait for an official announcement to check those out.

As noted, Microsoft will demonstrate the Windows 8.1 on June 26th and according to reports, should release it later this year.

Source: Windows Blog.