All The New Stuff Coming To Windows 10

All The New Stuff Coming To Windows 10

Microsoft gave us a small peek at the next version of Windows today, confusingly dubbed Windows 10. Here’s what you can expect to see.

Today’s event was just a small introduction, with Microsoft noting that Windows 10 is still in the early stages and subject to change — not to mention there are heaps of consumer features that haven’t been talked about yet. But we got a quick look into some of the new stuff, most of which looks quite good. Here’s what you’ll find.

Windows’ Next Version Is Called Windows 10

Let’s just get this out of our systems now. Windows skipped Windows 9 completely for no apparent reason. Make your jokes. Everybody’s doing it. OK, now let’s move on.

The Start Menu Is Back

Microsoft previewed this all the way back in April, and it looks like we won’t be seeing it on our desktops until Windows 10. The new Start menu will look familiar, with some hints of Windows 8, including live tiles that you can resize and move around yourself. You can even resize the entire Start menu to your liking. Microsoft says their goal here is personalisation, so you can make the Start menu work for you. It will also include universal search, just like the old Start menu — but with the addition of web results.

Modern Apps Come to the Desktop, in Windowed Form

Again, we saw this back in April, but Microsoft is officially bringing “Modern” apps to the desktop, just like ModernMix currently does on Windows 8. They will be called “universal apps” and work like pretty much any other windowed app on the desktop.

Improved Multitasking and Multiple Desktops

Taking a cue from OS X and Linux, Microsoft is finally adding two very popular features to Windows: an Exposé-like multitasking feature called “Task View”, where you can see all your open windows at once, and the ability to create multiple desktops for better Window organisation (known as Spaces on the Mac). You can launch this multitasking view from a new “Task View” button in the taskbar.

Aero Snap is also getting a little update, letting you snap up to four windows at once. It will show window previews for other open windows in any empty spaces so you can easily drag them into view.

An Updated Command Prompt

Microsoft actually updated the command prompt in Windows 10.

I will give you a moment to let that sink in.

Actually, only one specific update was previwed: the ability to paste a directory into the Command Prompt with Ctrl+V (instead of right-clicking, which you currently have to do). OK, it seems like a silly little update, but if you ever use the Command Prompt, you know how awesome this is. Hopefully there will be some more goodies added to the terminal before launch.

Updates to the Touch Interface

Microsoft’s big goal with Windows 10 is to create a more unified experience across devices, including tablets and PCs. That sounds an awful lot like the goal for Windows 8, but it looks like Microsoft is trying a different, less fractured approach with Windows 10. There’s a swipe gesture for Task View, for example, and the windows have enlarged buttons to make them easier to touch. Windows will automatically switch to this more touch-friendly view when it detects that you’re using a touch screen.

This Is Just the Beginning

Microsoft made it very clear that Windows 10 is still in the very early stages. It will be releasing a preview build tomorrow (which we’ll be on top of), but there are likely many new features to come — and many improvements to the interface beyond what we’ve seen today (the Charms bar, for example, will likely change, according to Microsoft).

We’ll see more of Windows 10 at Microsoft’s Build conference in April, and Windows 10 will launch in “later 2015”. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Announcing Windows 10 [Blogging Windows]


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