Leaked Windows 9 screenshots show return of Start Menu

Microsoft's newly leaked screenshots of 'Windows 9' shows the revamped look of the desktop and gives a closer view of the new 'Start Menu'.

The two leaked screenshots show the new Start Menu in a recent build of codename 'Threshold'. Microsoft is currently working on a number of products as part of its Threshold efforts, including a version of Windows that will likely be named Windows 9 when it ships next year, The Verge reported.

Microsoft is currently labeling this development version of Windows as 'Windows 8.1 Pro,' but this is placeholder branding until the latter stages of testing and the final name is ready and confirmed.

The new Start Menu hasn't changed much since Microsoft demonstrated it at Build in April, but the screenshots show a variety of 'Metro-style' apps that are pinned to the menu, alongside traditional applications, report said.

Microsoft is expected to ship Windows 'Threshold' in early 2015, alongside improvements to the Xbox One operating system and a combined version of Windows Phone and Windows RT.