Free Microsoft updates will be available later this year, as announced by the company.

It is uncommon for the giant firm to give free Microsoft updates, but during its yearly Build Developer Conference event held in San Francisco on Wednesday, the company stated that there will be free updates for users of Windows 8 this year, UPI reported.

Windows 8.1 was the highlight of the event, in which Microsoft unveiled the latest changes and improvements that will come to its latest operating system. Consequently, Microsoft released a preview version of Windows 8.1 to let interested users try out the enhancements made within the system.

The move to release free Microsoft updates this year is a beginning of a big change of heart of the tech giant, which is usually providing updates to its software once every three years. UPI cited the statement made by analyst Melissa Webster to Bloomberg, "Microsoft, on this every-three-year schedule for the massive wave of new products, looks like a dinosaur. Three years is a lifetime in tech these days."

Just like the trend now in software upgrades in the entire industry, free Microsoft updates will also be available in a weekly basis. WebPro News reports noted that the Microsoft Office is the one to gain the most from this radical shift of the company, as the firm commit to releasing minor weekly updates to address issues in a timely manner.

Webster also noted that 'Microsoft understands the competitive threat", thus, shifting its resources to free Microsoft updates and upgrades online. She added, "They are feeling the heat."

UPI reported as well that Steve Ballmer, the CEO of the tech firm talked about the free updates for Windows 8.1, which he mentioned, will arrive "later this year." He positively shared, "The future of Windows is very, very bright,"

Aside from Microsoft Office and its latest operating system, the Windows 8.1, other apps will also be subjected to a consistent free Microsoft updates such as the SkyDrive and Outlook.

Watch Windows 8.1 Preview here as well as some glimpse on free Microsoft updates to arrive later this year.