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

 

[davehc]

Hey. That is fascinating. Almost convinces me to go back to Windows 8.1

The final verdict

Pretty much summed up my thoughts and criticism, since the first build. Equivalent, but not superior enough to excite. (Windows 8.2 in disguise)

 

[kemical]

Well at least you know that your not losing anything... But then again neither are you gaining anything... Yet. Hopefully once drivers mature we'll see an improvement.

 

[kemical]

Microsoft seems to be finally taking perceptual criticism about Windows to heart. The new Memory compression concepts should help in making Windows 10 appear snappier and more responsive than earlier versions, even on existing hardware. By making better use of available memory through reduced memory utilization, Windows users who once complained about ‘how slow’ Windows felt, may now attribute their lackluster experiences to hardware rather than Microsoft’s software.

The improvements seen in the latest build of Windows, build 10525, will eventually make their way to normal users (by October).
Winbeta have a article detailing how the new improvements work:
Microsoft educates Insiders on how Windows 10 handles memory

 

[davehc]

Let me emphasise, I am a happy Windows 10 user, but can see some areas for improvement. I wasn't unhappy with Windows 8.1 either. No glitches or freeze ups..etc..

But I cannot help having a chuckle at this contradiction in the article:
"helping previously computer illiterate users become more aware of its importance"

"With the Windows 10 Insider program back up and running, the Windows team is giving Insiders some insight into how Windows 10 is using new memory compressions to tighten up memory management. In a rather extensive posting found in the Insider Hub"

I wonder how many "computer illiterate users", are even aware of the insider program/insider hub, in order to let them be re-educated!

 

[Trouble]

New Insider Preview Build th2_release Professional 10532 available now.
Link Removed

 

[kemical]

Build 10532 is available now for Insiders in the fast ring, so make sure you check for updates via Windows Update now!
Video on the new build:

 

[kemical]

New update for win 10:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/894199

 

[kemical]

Seems there is an issue with 64bit Chrome and the latest build of Win 10:

Since the release of Windows 10 Insider build 10525, users of the 64-bit version of the Chrome browser have had a less than desirable time, to put it nicely. A significant bug cropped up in the Chrome browser as it relates to Windows 10 build 10525. The bug causes the 64-bit version of the browser to crash almost immediately upon opening it.

The latest beta apparently includes a fix:
Google releases fix for 64-bit Chrome bug in Windows 10 build 10525

 

[Josh Walton]

Hi there i am having an issue with my Xbox One Game DVR's being available for download on my windows 10 laptop. They were working fine until a couple of days ago and now none of them will download and are stuck at 0%, also any new recordings are not showing up laptop side but i do have access to them on my console. My partners Game DVR's will download perfectly on the same laptop. We do have different xbox one's though.

 

[kemical]

The October Update for win 10 has slipped to November:

For those who don’t know, Microsoft is currently working on it’s first non-patch update for Windows 10, currently codenamed Threshold 2 and was originally supposed to launch sometime in October. But as of recently, it appears that release window may have slipped ever so slightly, as according to my sources, Threshold 2 will now launch in early November instead.

Windows 10 “Threshold 2” update now slated for November release

 

[Joe S]

I hope they are really fixing bugs instead of just shoveling in more dubious features.
Joe

 

[davehc]

When I look at the bugs being posted around the web, I am ready to believe that they are only really focussing on Cortana and Edge. I don't use either, but I can see many are having problems in that area.
Other bugs are mainly due to misunderstanding the new OS, and, in particular, its convoluted method of installing. Smaller bugs are being dealt with ""on the run", with normal updates.

 

[kemical]

Video for build 537 (closed build)

 

[kemical]

Windows 10 DVD Player playback issues are under scrutiny:

We are aware that a number of people using the Windows DVD Player app have experienced issues with DVD playback. I want to assure you that we are actively working to fix these problems and get these fixes out to the world. While this work is underway, we would like to share some workarounds for the most common problems that we’ve discovered in collaboration with the community, and let everyone know that we’re looking into them.

1. The video is stuttering or failing to play. Many people can fix this issue by installing the latest graphics drivers (Link Removed, Link Removed, Nvidia). We are continuing to investigate and fix other causes of this problem.
2. When changing from one DVD to another, Windows DVD Player will not play the new DVD. This can be fixed by closing and re-opening the Windows DVD Player app.
3. Windows DVD Player does not detect that a disk was inserted. This can be fixed by closing Windows DVD Player, inserting the DVD into your DVD drive, and then re-opening the Windows DVD Player app.
4. Inserting a DVD opens the Windows Store. If inserting a DVD opens the Windows Store, rather than launching the DVD player, you may need to update your program defaults. To do so:
   1. Open the Start menu, search for “DVD” and select the result labeled “Autoplay” under Settings.
   2. You should see four DVD entries in the AutoPlay Control Panel, including “DVD movie”, “Enhanced DVD movie”, and “DVD-Audio.” Set the default for each of these items to “Play DVD (Windows DVD Player)” under the drop down menu for each entry.
   3. The Windows DVD Player app should now automatically launch when a disc is inserted.
5. Windows DVD Player will not play audio using Dolby Digital Plus 5.1. Some users may see this fixed by getting the latest from Windows Update. We are continuing to look at other cases where that may not be sufficient.
6. Playing a DVD to a second screen using HDMI sometimes fails. There is no workaround for this right now, but we are continuing to investigate it.

To reiterate, we are working on fixes for all of the above issues, and the workarounds we’ve outlined here are only temporary. As fixes become available, we will update this thread to let everybody know how to get them.



Please keep the feedback coming as we work to publish this app update. If you’re experiencing an issue with Windows DVD Player that is not outlined above, or if a workaround listed above does not work for you, we’d love to hear from you.



Thank you,

The Windows DVD Player team

Ref: An update on the Windows DVD Player app

I always use VLC...

 

[kemical]

New cumulative update for Windows 10:

This is a summary of the new and changed content scheduled for release on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.
New non-security content:

• Cumulative Update for Windows 10 (KB3095020)
  
  Locale: All
  Deployment: Optional/Automatic Updates, WSUS, and Catalog
  Classification: High Priority, Non-Security
  Supersedes: MS15-097 (KB3081455) on Windows 10
  Target platforms: Windows 10
  Approximate file sizes:
  • Cumulative Update for Windows 10 for x64-based Systems update: ~ 394417KB
  • Cumulative Update for Windows 10 update: ~ 199554KB
  Description:
  Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
  https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3095020

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/894199

 

[Trouble]

Build 10547 available now (fast ring).
Link Removed

 

[kemical]

 

[kemical]

Microsoft respond to the recent controversy concerning privacy and Windows 10 snooping:

In today’s connected world, maintaining our privacy is an incredibly important topic to each of us, thus we welcome the questions and the feedback we’ve received since launching Windows 10.

Trust is a core pillar of our More Personal Computing vision, and we know we have to earn it. We’ve taken time to expand the documentation on our approach today with this blog, and new content we’re posting today for consumers and Link Removed, designed to complement our Link Removed. We look forward to the next round of questions and feedback on these new posts. I assure you that no other company is more committed, more transparent and listening harder to customers on this important topic than we are.

From the very beginning, we designed Windows 10 with two straightforward privacy principles in mind:

1. Windows 10 collects information so the product will work better for you.
2. You are in control with the ability to determine what information is collected.

With Windows 10, information we collect is encrypted in transit to our servers, and then stored in secure facilities. We think of the data we do and don’t collect at 3 levels:

1. Safety and Reliability Data
We collect a limited amount of information to help us provide a secure and reliable experience. This includes data like an anonymous device ID, device type, and application crash data which Microsoft and our developer partners use to continuously improve application reliability. This doesn’t include any of your content or files, and we take several steps to avoid collecting any information that directly identifies you, such as your name, email address or account ID.

A great example of how this data was used effectively was just last month, when aggregate data showed us that a particular version of a graphics driver was crashing on some Windows 10 PCs, which then caused a reboot. This driver was not widely used, but still the issue was impacting customers. We immediately contacted the partner who builds the driver and worked with them to turn around a fix to Windows Insiders within 24 hours. We used the data on Insiders’ devices to confirm that the problem was resolved, and then rolled out the fix to the broad public via an update the next day – all-in-all, this data helped us find, fix and resolve a significant problem within 48 hours.

Our enterprise feature updates later this year will enable enterprise customers the option to disable this telemetry, but we strongly recommend against this.

2. Personalization Data
We aspire to deliver a delightful and personalized Windows experience to you, which benefits from knowing some things about you to customize your experience, such as knowing whether you are a Seattle Seahawks fan or Real Madrid fan, in order to give you updates on game scores or recommend apps you might enjoy– or remembering the common words you type in text messaging conversations to provide you convenient text completion suggestions. You are in control of the information we collect for these purposes and can update your settings at any time. Note that with new features like Cortana which require more personal information to deliver the full experience, you are asked if you want to turn them on and are given additional privacy customization options.

3. Advertising Data We Don’t Collect
Unlike some other platforms, no matter what privacy options you choose, neither Windows 10 nor any other Microsoft software scans the content of your email or other communications, or your files, in order to deliver targeted advertising to you.

Your Feedback Really Does Make a Difference

Listening to your feedback has been the foundation of Windows 10, and feedback on privacy is no exception. For our Windows Insiders, we have a Privacy section to our Windows Feedback app so that we can have a detailed dialog on our privacy approach. As an example of direct response to feedback we’ve received, all Windows 10 customers will receive an upcoming update to family features, with default settings designed to be more appropriate for teenagers, compared to younger children. Additionally, we’re working on ways to further enhance the notifications that kids and parents get about activity reporting in Windows. We’ll also release updates for enterprise customers based on their feedback later this fall. This collaboration with Insiders is invaluable to our team, and we continue to welcome anyone who wants to work with us on the future of Windows 10 Link Removed.

If you ever find a situation where our software is not behaving the way it should with your privacy settings, please let us know Link Removed. Like security, we are committed to following up on all reported issues, continuously probe our software with leading edge techniques, and proactively update supported devices with necessary updates.

We really appreciate the rich dialogue in making Windows 10 better for all of us. We will continue to listen and respond, to earn your trust.

Thanks,

-Terry

Ref:
Privacy and Windows 10

 

[kemical]

Microsoft have changed the install slightly for windows 10. The 'Express settings' screen has now been changed to one which say's 'Get going fast'!
It's pretty similar to the previous incarnation as you can see below:

This article shows you what you get with Express settings and what you can choose to customize when you first set up your Windows 10 system. It’s written for customers who set up their own devices, or devices used by their friends or family. If you set up many Windows 10 devices at a time for an organization or enterprise, using tools like Group Policy, Link Removed.

Choosing preferences during Windows 10 set-up
As you upgrade to or install Windows 10, you'll see a screen that says "Get going fast."

Link Removed
The Express settings screen during Windows 10 setup.
Express settings turns on some settings for what we think is the best experience: personalization, location, Internet browsing and protection, connectivity, and error reporting. To turn them all on, choose Use Express settings.
To turn any of them off, choose Customize settings. It’s the last link on the screen, below the other text. No matter what settings you choose during set-up, you can update these settings at any time.

Link Removed
The first Customize settings screen during Windows 10 setup.
Here's what each setting means on this page:
Personalization is all about using your data to make your current Windows 10 experience more awesome, and make futureWindows 10 experiences even better.

• Personalized speech, inking, and typing. This information helps Windows 10 correctly recognize and personalize your input, like building a dictionary of spelling and auto-complete words personalized to you. For example, if your friend's name is spelled "Aarron," instead of the more common "Aaron", then when you're texting, we could offer your friend's unique spelling as an auto-complete suggestion to you.
  
  
• Send typing and inking data. To make the next versions of Windows 10 even better, this sends samples of the words you type or write by hand so that we can recognize handwriting better and build better dictionaries and suggestions. How people use language changes over time, and region by region. By sharing these samples, we can help make products that serve you better in the future.
  
  More info about speech, inking, and typing can be found in the Windows 10 speech, inking, typing, and privacy: FAQ.
  
  
• Advertising ID. Part of how we operate our business as a business is to display ads. For those ads to be relevant to you, we generate a random, unique advertising ID for each person on a device, for apps and other experiences to use. If you turn this off, you'll still see ads. If you keep it on, you're more likely to see ads for things you're interested in.
  

Location services gives you handy information such as restaurants near your location, driving tips to avoid traffic, and more, by knowing the location of your device. Before an app can use your location data, it asks for your consent. The Location settings option gives you control over which apps can use your device location and location history information. For more info about Location data, read the Windows 10 location service and privacy: FAQ.

When you have set those settings according to your preferences, select Next.

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The second Customize settings screen during Windows 10 setup.
Internet browsing and protection. Windows 10 Windows 10 comes with Microsoft Edge, which has some features which can give you a faster and safer web browsing experience. For these to work, some data has to be sent to Microsoft.

• SmartScreen online services help to protect you and your device from unsafe web content or malicious software.
  
  
• With Page prediction, pages you're likely to browse to next can be proactively loaded for you for a faster browsing experience.
  

Connectivity and error reporting. Making it easy to connect and stay connected is an important part of Windows 10.

• Automatically connect. With these settings, you can choose to automatically connect to suggested open Wi‑Fi networks and password-protected Wi‑Fi networks shared by your contacts. Read the Link Removed for more info.
  

Send error and diagnostic information to Microsoft is a setting that helps ensure the health, quality and performance of the operating system. If this setting is on, we set diagnostic and usage data collection on your device to Full, which lets us collect a more complete set of data to solve problems. Turning this setting off will set diagnostic usage data collection to Enhanced, which means we still collect some data to diagnose errors from your device, but not the full set. Diagnostic and usage data may also be used to improve features and services, and personalize operating system features and services to serve you better. Read more here: Microsoft Edge feedback, diagnostics, and privacy: FAQ.

To change your settings later
On Windows 10, you can change your preferences whenever you want. For system-wide settings, like which apps can use your camera, go to Settings > Privacy.

Link Removed
The Privacy section within Settings
For preferences in a specific app, use the Settings area within that app.

Cortana is a digital personal assistant that can help you find files on your PC, remind you of appointments you might miss, suggest music you might love, and more. In order to do that well, Cortana needs to understand your interests and preferences.

• Turning the Cortana app on. Cortana is off by default. If you want to use Cortana (and you're in one of the regions we make Cortana available), you need to turn the functionality on separately for each Windows 10 device.
  
  
• Turning Cortana off. You can always turn Cortana off by selecting Cortana > Notebook > Settings, and then turning off the Cortana setting.
  
  
• Choose what information Cortana can access. To add or remove information or interests to your Cortana Notebook, go toCortana > Notebook, then select About me. For more info, see the Cortana, Search, and privacy: FAQ.
  

Microsoft Edge provides many options to work just the way you want it to, like syncing your browsing history and reading list, managing your cookies, and more. For more info, see the Microsoft Edge and privacy: FAQ.

Windows Hello lets you sign in to some devices with your face, your fingerprint, or other methods. Learn more about how Windows Hello uses your info to make sign-in easier at Windows Hello and privacy: FAQ.

Windows Update has settings that let you download Windows updates once for all the devices on your home network, instead of separately, for each device. More info here: Windows Update Delivery Optimization: FAQ.

Ref:
Setting your preferences for Windows 10 services - Microsoft Windows

 

[kemical]

New build is leaked Windows 10 build 10558 :