The next major update to Microsoft's operating system is expected to come as Windows 9 and be available as a free update to Windows 8 users.

Microsoft's Windows OS has always held a prominent space in the desktop space, as it is widely used worldwide. With Windows 8, however, the company did not see the success it likely hoped for, as consumers complained more than they appreciated the changes. The company then improved on the OS and tried to fix what it got wrong, releasing the Windows 8.1 update, adding/ bringing back some requested features.

Windows 9 is now expected to become official this week and the president of Microsoft Indonesia has confirmed that the upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 9 will be free. Microsoft is betting big on the upcoming Windows 9, also referred to as Threshold, to keep its OS business successful and competitive.

Several reports so far have tried to paint a picture of what to expect from the upcoming Windows 9, with all sorts of leaks revealing various features. Indonesian publication Detik now reports (via BGR) that Andreas Diantoro, President of Windows Indonesia, has confirmed that Windows 9 will come as a free upgrade to all Windows 8 users, similarly to how Apple offers its OS X updates.

"According to Diantoro, the Windows 9 upgrade will be available free of charge to all existing Windows 8 users once it's released," BGR reports. "Apparently, users will be able to easily install the Windows 9 update after downloading it from Microsoft, which is how Apple's OS X updates have been rolled out for Macs for a few years now. For what it's worth, some of the recent Windows 9 leaks did say that Microsoft already has a tool in place that will allow users to easily perform software updates."

It remains unclear for now, however, just what offers Microsoft will have in place for users of older Windows versions. The actual prices for Windows 9 also remain unknown at this point. Nevertheless, Microsoft is reportedly looking to convince more people to move away from the older, and no longer supported Windows XP, and offering Windows 9 as a free download may be the perfect push towards this endeavor. Diantoro made no mention of whether Windows 9 would be free for earlier versions of the OS, such as the no-longer-supported Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. On the other hand, the company is expected to come up with some attractive incentives and special offers to convince users of older Windows versions to switch to the latest one.

Moreover, the company's new Windows 9 is also expected to come as a way to win back the trust of consumers after Windows 8 drew such heavy criticism. The software giant will hold a press event on Tuesday, Sept. 30, when it should offer more details on its latest Windows 9 OS.