[serve_yay]

But, the marketing name doesn't have to match the version identifier string.

This issue would have been super-easy to work around if they wanted to call it Windows 9. Hell, put two spaces before 9. Make it "Windows Version 9" instead of "Windows 9". Whatever. MS does this all the time, shimming around people's broken & crappy app code. This looks like no sweat to me.

[vacri]

Why is it so necessary that Windows 9 be the next in the list? I mean, it's not a particularly standard list for user workstations: 3.1, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8.

[badthingfactory]

I was actually rather surprised when this version wasn't called "Windows One"

[BruceIV]

I can't seem to find the link again, but I think I read a Microsoft blog post somewhere saying that that name was already taken (by a Mr. Gates, circa 1985).

[chx]

I heard that too but http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Windows_1.0 seriously? Who would mix that up? Also, given "One product family. One platform. One store" and the Xbox One they would have a cool One theme to build on.

[bbehm]

I see what you are saying but "Android One" has already started their marketing so maybe that would seem awkward.

[serve_yay]

Yep, that too. I just seriously doubt this was the reason. Marketing and technology are only tenuously related, as we know :)

[javert]

Because there is no valid reason to do it. Except that some consultants probably told them 10 sounds fancier.

When I see a product being marketed based on how it sounds intead of its real value, I consider that a fishy smell.