Microsoft today confirmed that "Windows Blue" will be known as Windows 8.1 and that it will be a free update to Windows 8, with a Public Preview to be released on June 26. The announcement was made today at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston, where Tami Reller shared with the audience that the update previously referred to as "Windows Blue" will be called Windows 8.1 and will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store.

During her remarks today, Tami reiterated Microsoft's goal of delivering continual updates to create a richer experience for Windows customers. Windows 8.1 is part of that and continues the journey the company first began with Windows 8 last fall.

"Windows 8.1 will help us to deliver the next generation of PCs and tablets with our OEM partners and to deliver the experiences customers - both consumers and businesses - alike need and will just expect moving forward," said Mircrosoft's spokeperson Brandon LeBlanc.

Microsoft will be making a public preview of Windows 8.1 available starting on June 26, timed with the Build developer conference in San Francisco. The preview will be available for Windows 8 and Windows RT.