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Windows 10 Technical Preview Unveiled at Microsoft Event
Microsoft showed the technical preview of its newest operating system at the Microsoft Event yesterday. The operating system technical preview was named Windows 10. This surprised many viewers who were expecting the software to be named Windows 9. The Windows 10 technical preview is the build of the operating system that allows designers and developers to assist in developing the software. They do this by finding issues that may hinder users, or finding other irregularities that should be addressed, before the consumer version of the software is made available to the public.
As shown within the Windows 10 technical preview, Windows 10 will easily run within multiple types of devices. It does this by automatically sensing the type of device it is installed within, and then adjusting its display, accordingly. For example, when running on a desktop device, Windows 10 will boot to the “Desktop” display. However, when running on a tablet, the device defaults to a modified “Windows 8” display, previously called “Metro.” On devices such as the Surface Pro 3, which alternate between tablet and laptop modes, the system can seamlessly switch modes depending on whether or not the external keyboard is attached.
There have been many changes made to the Windows 10 technical preview when compared to Windows 8.1. The Windows Taskbar and newly returned Start Menu appear in both the Desktop and “Windows 8” tablet modes. When in the Desktop mode, the Start Menu is integrated with live tiles that appear within the “Windows 8” tablet mode for easy access to apps and live tile information. The Windows 8 Charm Bar, which had previously been a candidate for elimination according to many sources, is kept. However, it will undergo some changes to make it more useful.
The new multiple-Desktops feature allows users to create separate Desktops, such as a Desktop for work and a Desktop for home. This feature can also assist in multi-tasking. Multi-tasking is also enhanced by the new ability to “snap” up to four application windows to the display when working with multiple programs.
You can see many of these features in the “Introducing Windows 10 – the best Windows yet” video shown below. You can also see a listing of new features within the “Announcing Windows 10” blog post by Terry Myerson at the “Blogging Windows” site. These features will appeal to many Windows users.
For tech-savvy users who wish to assist in the development of Windows 10 by joining the Windows 10 technical preview, Windows has developed a Windows Insider Program website where you can sign up for, and download, the Windows 10 technical preview. This website will begin accepting new applicants sometime today, October 1st, 2014. The final, retail version of Windows 10 is not expected to be released until sometime after April 2015.
