Windows 8.1 with start button may hit stores as early as October

Microsoft's altered version of its latest OS called Windows 8.1 is reportedly speculated to hit stores earlier than expected.

Microsoft's altered version of its latest OS called Windows 8.1 is reportedly speculated to hit stores earlier than expected.

The launch of the tweaked version to Windows 8 is now speculated to be little earlier and might hit the stores as early as October, the Washington Post reports.

According to the report, the tweaks to 8.1 version will have the ' start button' along with smaller Live Tiles and more search integration.

The Windows 8 was designed to have a touch interface more suitable for tablets and smartphones and that is the reason why most conventional PC operators found it as a cumbersome software to deal with.

The report said that with the launch of the altered Windows 8.1, the company is also planning to discontinue support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014 which means it will no longer release general patches for the software to address things such as security threats.

Many businesses are still using XP, having opted not to update their computers to Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 are now looking for help transitioning from the 12-year-old system, the report added.