Windows 10 Windows 10 Insider Preview

[kemical]

The operating system which many thought was going to be Windows 9 is in fact going to be called Windows 10.
The preview is apparently available tomorrow 1st October 2014.
Why the sudden change from windows 9 to windows 10? If the hype is to be believed then Windows 10 is such a change from previous operating systems that it needed an extra digit:

Microsoft jumped straight from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, leapfrogging the expected Windows 9 release. Myerson maintained that when users get their hands on the new OS, they'll see "Windows 10" is a more fitting name than "Windows 9" because the OS represents a far bigger shift than a mere one-digit jump could convey.

Ref:
Windows 10 unveiled - Microsoft ushers in the next era of Windows by skipping 9

The next major version of Windows, Windows 10, will be available late next year. The new operating system is being unveiled today at an event in San Francisco, where Microsoft announced its name and began detailing new features, including the return and makeover of the Start Menu, the introduction of multiple desktops, and a new universal search feature.

Ref:
Windows 10 will be available late next year, preview coming tomorrow


Guru3D also ran a big article today on Windows 10:

Microsoft skips Windows 9, its now Windows 10 Link RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink Removed
Microsoft has been providing an early look at the next version of Windows, the company will be calling the new OS Windows 10. Early photos and screenshtos have already appeared on the web , showing builds with a hybrid start menu combining Windows 7-era features with Windows 8 style tiles. Business customers are likely to receive early access soon, to begin testing and provide feedback.

So correct it's not Windows TH, Windows X, Windows One, and even Windows 9 ... it's Windows 10.

The software will run on a wide range of devices from smartphones and tablets to PCs and Xbox games consoles, with applications sold from a single store. It also marks the return of the Start Menu, which had been removed from Windows 8. With Windows 10, Microsoft will offer a single platform on which to develop applications for phones, tablets, laptops, desktops and wall-sized PCs. It’s not one size fits all, and instead will vary depending on the hardware on which it’s running.

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Return of the classic desktop and Start menu. Windows 10 will come with a classic looking desktop, which should please Windows fans that miss Windows 7 (shown above). This means there will be a Start menu, too, although it looks a bit different than the menu we're used to. As previous leaks had indicated, the Start menu looks like a hybrid of a standard menu and the tiled Windows 8 interface.

Continuum. Microsoft is adding a new feature called Continuum that allows the operating system to adapt based on what type of device you're using. For example, if you're using a mouse and keyboard you'll get the standard desktop view. But if you're using a Windows tablet hybrid, you'll switch to "tablet mode" once you disconnect the keyboard.

Apps will run on the desktop. Windows 8 apps, which were initially designed for touch, will now work with the mouse and keyboard and will run in the desktop. Microsoft is clearly making its software more PC-friendly.

Better multitasking. There's a new "task view" button on the task bar that lets you easily switch between apps.

An improved Snap feature. With Windows 10, you'll be able to snap multiple apps alongside one another. Based on Microsoft's demo, it looks like you can snap more apps together than you could before with previous versions of Windows.

“Windows 10 will be our most comprehensive platform ever,” he said. Myerson said the company is “starting the dialogue” with enterprise customers today. He noted that they’re still buying PCs, and business sales grew 14 percent in the first half of the year.

For business users, the first priority is that the operating system be “familiar” whether they are coming from Windows 7 or Windows 8 so they can immediately be productive. The second priority is “modern management” of a fleet of computers. Myerson was followed by Microsoft Vice President Joe Belfiore to provide a demo. Belfiore showed the new start menu that surfaces in the lower left corner. It indeed combines a traditional list of “most used” programs and files, a search box and a panel populated with Windows 8 style “live tiles.”

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Customers like the tiles and they are customizable, he said. The tiles can be made taller or wider, changing the height and width of the start menu. “It gives the familiarity of Windows 7 with some of the new benefits that exist in Windows 8,” he said.

Belfiore noted how the menu combines traditional Win32 apps with apps built for Windows 8 and Windows Phone and distributed through Microsoft’s app store.

We don’t want that duality,” he said, adding that “regardless of how an app was written it “works the way you expect.” Belfiore also demonstrated Windows 10′s improved handling of multiple desktops on a single screen, including more control over “snapping” these windowed panels into different locations on the desktop. The “alt-tab” control has been updated to scroll through open windows. This isn’t earth-shaking but it shows how Microsoft has to develop the software for a wide range of users, from novices to advanced users, he said.

At the far end of this spectrum are people who may appreciate improvements to using the “command prompt” capability, which Belfiore demonstrated. It took half an hour before touch controls were mentioned, in contrast to the Windows 8 emphasis on touchscreens and a new “charms” control menu that disappeared until summoned.

Instead of designing first for touchscreens, Windows 10 is using touch to extend the mouse-and-keyboard experience ‘so it feels natural,” Belfiore said. “I expect that charms bar to change,” he said.At the same time, Microsoft still sees a lot of potential in “two in one” devices that work as both a tablet and a traditional laptop. The “Windows 8 focus on touch was trying to salute the idea that people would be productive on these touch devices but we didn’t quite get it right,” Belfiore said. New consumer features are coming but aren’t being shown yet. Instead, the company’s reaching out first to enterprise customers. Starting tomorrow, Microsoft will release a technical preview for laptops and desktops through its “Windows Insider Program” for business customers and advanced users. Later the company will release new software for servers and management tools and other device categories. “We think it’s time to show the world and start that feedback cycle going,” Belfiore said. Myerson cautioned that the software is still early and of variable quality at this point.

“Windows 10 will be our most open, collaborative OS project ever,” he said.

A broader release of the software is likely in mid-2015, after the company’s BUILD developer conference. Asked for more explanation of the name, Myerson and Belfiore first related the kids’ joke about how “seven ate nine” but then gave a more serious answer. “When you see the product in its fullness I think you’ll agree with us it’s a more appropriate name for the breadth of the product family that’s coming,” he said.

“It was a name that resonated best for what we will deliver,” he added. Myerson declined to discuss whether Microsoft will change the way it sells or licenses Windows with the release of Windows 10. Asked about designing an operating system that spans business and consumer usage, Belfiore said the company believes it can design a user experience that scales across the scenarios. The starting point is recognizing that the users are “not different humans,” he said, adding that “people who use a phone or a PC or a tablet to do work are the same people who use a phone or a PC or a tablet at home.” “Fundamentally it feels like a problem we can solve,” he said.

Microsoft will offer a "technical preview" of Windows 10 to early adopters later this week, which will run on laptops and desktops.

The company said it would provide details about the introduction of "universal apps" - individual programs that tailor their functionality to different types of devices - in April, and would aim to release the completed OS before the end of 2015.

Ref:
Microsoft skips Windows 9, its now Windows 10

Signing up for Windows 10.

Many users will be wanting to know where they can get their hands on a copy of Windows 10 Preview. Luckily for us Mary Jo Foley has an article which includes the process of signing up:

Tomorrow, on October 1, Microsoft will open up itspreview.windows.com site so that those interested in testing the Enterprise Technical Preview version of the operating system can download the early bits. Those who sign up through the preview site will be enrolled in Insiders Program. Via this program, Microsoft will push regular updates through Windows Update to the initial tech preview over the coming months.

Insiders also will be asked to provide feedback in a variety of forms to Microsoft about the features they like and dislike.

The Enterprise Technical Preview (Build 9841) will work on x86 machines only. Microsoft is not yet making available a test build of the ARM version of Windows 10. Microsoft officials said to expect that more consumer-focused preview to arrive in early 2015. (Previous leaks have peggedavailabiity of the consumer preview to the January/February 2015 timeframe).

Read the full article here:
Microsoft's Windows 10: What's new and how to get the preview bits

 

[kemical]

News albeit a tad old regarding recent updates for Win 10 10074:

Microsoft has released an update rollup (KB3061161) for Windows 10 Insider Preview build 10074, fixing bugs and improving performance. On top of that, this update rollup also enables the Dolby Digital Plus codec. Here are the key improvements that come with this collection of fixes:

• The Start menu and Cortana do not open on Windows 10 Insider Preview after upgrading from Windows 10 Technical Preview
• Windows Error Reporting data remain in queue and are not uploaded
• Updated versions of preinstalled apps might not install with error 0x8004264A after upgrading to Windows 10 Insider Preview
• Qualcomm Atheros Bluetooth radio controllers might not function and indicate a Code 43 error in Device Manager
• Automatic updates might not initiate on mobile devices if an app on the device is not in the Store catalog
• Apps that are deployed to an SD card on mobile devices might not install or open
• This update fixes a hang that can occur when updating battery status
• This update enables the Dolby Digital Plus codec

This update was made available on Wednesday, April 29th, buried amidst the news of Build 2015. So if you are not seeing it, you likely have it installed thanks to auto-update. Remember, in order to apply this update, you will need to be running Windows 10 build 10074, which is the latest build available as part of the Insider Program. You will also be required to reboot after installing this update. Grab this update via Windows Update or via the Settings app.

ref:
http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows...adds-bug-fixes-and-enables-dolby-digital-plus

 

[davehc]

A reminder of a very useful site. It is updated to Windows 10. I d have always had confidence in his recommendations. I disabled all the items which he had listed for that, and my OS very apparently ran a little faster. But, disable these items with caution! There may be some functions you are using which need them.

Link Removed

 

[Sonny]

Thank you Davehc for the link. I did just what you did and it did speed up my OS.

 

[Sonny]

I did have to turn this one back on (Update Orchestrator Service). Without it my updates would not work.

 

[davehc]

Nice tip, Sonny
Oddly, I had NOT disabled that one. Must have been instinct from previous use

 

[kemical]

Winbeta have a video of the latest UI changes in Build 10114:

ref:
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[kemical]

Microsoft have announced in a recent Link Removed the intended editions for Windows 10 and there's quite a few!

Introducing Windows 10 Editions
As in the past, we will offer different Windows editions that are tailored for various device families and uses. These different editions address specific needs of our various customers, from consumers to small businesses to the largest enterprises.

Windows 10 Home is the consumer-focused desktop edition. It offers a familiar and personal experience for PCs, tablets and 2-in-1s. Windows 10 Home will help people do great things, both big and small. With it, they will be more productive and have more fun thanks to a long list of new innovations: Link Removed, the world’s most personal digital assistant; the newMicrosoft Edge web browser; Continuum tablet mode for touch-capable devices; Link Removed face-recognition, iris and fingerprint login; and right out of the box, a broad range of universal Windows apps like Photos, Maps, Mail, Calendar, Music and Video*.

We are also bringing the Xbox gaming experience to Windows 10, giving games and gamers access to the Xbox Live gaming community, enabling the capture and share of gameplay and giving Xbox One owners the ability to play their Xbox One games from any Windows 10 PC in their home.

Windows 10 Mobile is designed to deliver the best user experience on smaller, mobile, touch-centric devices like smartphones and small tablets. It boasts the same, new universal Windows apps that are included in Windows 10 Home, as well as the new touch-optimized version of Office. Windows 10 Mobile offers great productivity, security and management capabilities for customers who use their personal devices at work. In addition, Windows 10 Mobile will enable some new devices to take advantage of Continuum for phone, so people can use their phone like a PC when connected to a larger screen.

Windows 10 Pro is a desktop edition for PCs, tablets and 2-in-1s. Building upon both the familiar and innovative features of Windows 10 Home, it has many extra features to meet the diverse needs of small businesses. Windows 10 Pro helps to effectively and efficiently manage their devices and apps, protect their sensitive business data, support remote and mobile productivity scenarios and take advantage of cloud technologies. Windows 10 Pro devices are a great choice for organizations supporting Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) programs and prosumer customers. Windows 10 Pro also lets customers take advantage of the new Link Removed, which will reduce management costs, provide controls over update deployment, offer quicker access to security updates and provide access to the latest innovation from Microsoft on an ongoing basis.

As we announced earlier this year, for the first time ever, we are offering the full versions of Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 Pro as a free and easy upgrade for qualifying Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year after launch.** Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device.

Windows 10 Enterprise builds on Windows 10 Pro, adding advanced features designed to meet the demands of medium and large sized organizations. It provides advanced capabilities to help protect against the ever-growing range of modern security threats targeted at devices, identities, applications and sensitive company information. Windows 10 Enterprise also supports the broadest range of options for operating system deployment and comprehensive device and app management. It will be available to our Volume Licensing customers, so they can take advantage of the latest innovation and security updates on an ongoing basis. At the same time, they will be able to choose the pace at which they adopt new technology, including the option to use the new Link Removed. With Windows 10, Enterprise customers will also have access to the Link Removed as a deployment option for their mission critical devices and environments. And as with prior versions of Windows, Active Software Assurance customers in Volume Licensing can upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise as part of their existing Software Assurance benefits.

Windows 10 Education builds on Windows 10 Enterprise, and is designed to meet the needs of schools – staff, administrators, teachers and students. This edition will be available through academic Volume Licensing, and there will be paths for schools and students using Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro devices to upgrade to Windows 10 Education.

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise is designed to deliver the best customer experience to business customers on smartphones and small tablets. It will be available to our Volume Licensing customers. It offers the great productivity, security and mobile device management capabilities that Windows 10 Mobile provides, and adds flexible ways for businesses to manage updates. In addition, Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise will incorporate the latest security and innovation features as soon as they are available.

There will also be versions of Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise for industry devices like ATMs, retail point of sale, handheld terminals and industrial robotics and Windows 10 IoT Core for small footprint, low cost devices like gateways.

 

[kemical]

Winbeta.com has news on the latest leaked Build 10120:

According to a leaked change log for build 10120, the Music Preview and Video Preview apps have been replaced with new Music and Video apps. These two apps are now the default file handlers for associated media file types. Microsoft has also removed the Reading List app, but no immediate explanation was given.

Windows Reader app is no longer automatically installed on Windows 10, since Microsoft Edge is now the default PDF viewer. However, those interested can download the Windows Reader app from the Windows Store.

ref:
http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-10-build-10120-screenshots-leaked-edge-now-default-pdf-viewer

 

[davehc]

I posted, in the initial stages of these releases, that I (and many others), had customised and become accustomed to the use of the modern start menu.
I think this was a case where I could not see the wood for the trees!

It is still there, but presented in a different fashion. I have now customised my start menu, and grouped the items. This is barebones without, basically, any other than the programs which are built in. I wouldn't care to add to it at this stage, as it will all have to be done over again. Still, as it always was, one click away. If I hide the taskbar and eliminate my chosen desktop icons - a clean "modern" start menu.

 

[kemical]

Right there with you David although I'm still on 8.1.1:

 

[kemical]

Winbeta carries an article showing leaked screenshots of the build 10120:

Earlier today, Microsoft officially released a new build for Windows 10 Mobile (build 10080). Now,screenshots of Windows 10 for desktop build 10120 have leaked onto the internet. While nothing appears to be drastically different compared to previous builds, Windows 10 build 10120 comes with a few new improvements.

 

[kemical]

Microsoft have confirmed details on the free upgrade path to Windows 10 ( for the first year ):

Windows 10 Free Upgrade Offer

There's been a lot of talk about Windows 10 being a free upgrade. For many customers, that will be true for the first year. So let's confirm the details:

• Microsoft will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices in the first year. After the first year, upgrades will be paid via boxed product and VL Upgrades.
• Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 7 Home Basic and Home Premium devices upgrade to Windows 10 Home
• Windows 8/8.1 Pro and Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate devices upgrade to Windows 10 Pro
• If upgraded within the first 12 months following launch, the device will receive ongoing Windows 10 updates for free for the life of that device
• Excludes Windows Enterprise and RT devices
• The free Windows 10 upgrade is delivered through Windows Update; domain-joined machines can manually get the update via Windows Update. The upgrade cannot be deployed through WSUS.

Windows Update for Business

At Ignite, we announced the free Windows Update for Business service, available for all Windows Pro and Windows Enterprise devices, designed to help organisations keep their Windows devices always up to date with the latest security and features. In case you missed it, check out the blog, Link Removed for what the service will provide.

//BUILD News

Announcements from the developer event included the new Microsoft Edge web browser, Continuum for phones and how Windows 10 will empower all developers and their code to develop for one billion Windows 10 devices, including iOS and Android. Four new SDKs will enable developers to start with an existing code base and distribute their app through the Windows Store. The 4 code bases are: Web sites, .NET and Win32, Android and iOS. Watch the full keynote on demand here. And register now to join us at Build Tour Sydney on Monday June 1st to get face-to-face time with Microsoft Technical Experts. Register now

And remember, if you’d like to help shape the future of Windows and contribute to Windows 10, and haven't already joined, please join the Link Removed, where you can download the latest technical previews of Windows 10 and provide us valuable feedback.

Ref:
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[Trouble]

From your link.

Microsoft will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices in the first year

That is the first time I have seen Windows "8" mentioned as a viable upgrade source / path. I thought that it was pretty much out of the picture. I was under the impression that if you were not running 8.1 you couldn't upgrade to 10.

 

[kemical]

I kinda knew Windows 8 was in the picture but didn't realise Windows 7 was too. Even pirates will get a look in but apparently they'll have to suffer a watermark.. Branded I guess for being bad..

When Microsoft announced that Windows 10 will be offered as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8 users, the company also mentioned that the offer will also be given to those running a pirated/unlicensed/non-genuine version of Windows.

This of course was upsetting, particularly to those who actually paid for a Windows license. Microsoft then clarified that while all Windows 7 and 8 users will be eligible for the Windows 10 upgrade, those with non-genuine copies will not get genuine Windows 10, and will still have to purchase a license to activate it.

http://www.winbeta.org/news/microso...ows-10-free-desktop-watermark-will-haunt-them

 

[Trouble]

Still.... the word "qualified" in that statement gives me some pause.
Like, sure you can upgrade from Windows 7, but first you have to install SP1 and make sure that it is fully patched and updated. Windows 8..... come on down, OH but first upgrade to Windows 8.1.

Might be a bit nicer if we could just down load the ISO using a Windows 7 or 8 key and be done with it.
There seems to be a lot of emphasis placed upon the term "upgrade" and we all know how much we truly love upgrades.

 

[kemical]

and we all know how much we truly love upgrades.

Hehe.. Aye indeed..

 

[davehc]

This is how we got it from our local sources. It was on a social network, but seemed authorative.

Version information.

1. Windows 10 Home for consumers and BYOD scenarios, available under the free upgrade
2. Windows 10 Pro for small and lower mid-size businesses, available under the free upgrade
3. Windows 10 Enterprise for Mid-size and large enterprises, available under VL
4. Windows 10 Education designed to meet the needs of schools – teachers, students, staff, and administrators, available under VL
5. Windows 10 Mobile for consumer, small, mid-size and large enterprises and academic institutions, available under OEM

For Users taking advantage of the upgrade from Windows 7/8.1 to Windows 10:

1. Microsoft will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices in the first year. After the first year, upgrades will be paid via boxed product and VL Upgrades.
2. Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 7 Home Basic and Home Premium devices upgrade to Windows 10 Home
3. Windows 8/8.1 Pro and Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate devices upgrade to Windows 10 Pro .
4. If upgraded within the first 12 months following launch, the device will receive ongoing Windows 10 updates for free for the life of that device

Excludes Windows Enterprise and RT devices
The free Windows 10 upgrade is delivered through Windows Update; domain-joined machines can manually get the update via Windows Update. The upgrade cannot be deployed through WSUS.

The Windows 10 update will be provided to properly licensed versions of Windows 7/8.1 through Windows Update instead of the Windows Store. As was done with Windows 10 Technical Preview to Insiders on Windows 7 and 8.1.

Microsoft will also provide properly licensed users of Windows 7/8.1 with a license key, that can be used with an ISO of their version of Windows 10 for their system, instead of having to install the old OS and subsequent updates in order to perform the upgrade to Windows 10, should a clean install is necessary.

Once the update to Windows 10 has been completed, the user will be able to use the Reset or Refresh options in Windows for a fresh start with Windows 10 as required.


P.S. No mention of the watermark issue, but I would guess that would be a natural complication for pirated material. Wouldn't take to long for the hackers to remove it.

 

[davehc]

Just reading it through again. I think this bit probably covers your query:
"The Windows 10 update will be provided to properly licensed versions of Windows 7/8.1 through Windows Update instead of the Windows Store"

 

[Saltgrass]

It seems there is some vote going on as to whether build 10122 should be released today. I suppose everyone here has voted?

 

[Trouble]

It seems there is some vote going on as to whether build 10122 should be released today. I suppose everyone here has voted?

No, haven't voted but been watching Gabe Aul's twitter account and 30 minutes ago he said
Link Removed
So maybe soon.