Microsoft Gives Early Look at Windows 10 Featuring Windows 7 Elements, Broad Adaptability

[deputy_doofy]

Initial impression: W10 runs pretty fast in VirtualBox, seemingly a bit faster than W7.

It's nice to have the Start menu back and nice to see Metro apps windowed. In essence, I'm praising features that were always in Windows... until Windows 8.

That jab aside, windowing Metro makes it better. I don't like the split personality problems that still exist (Users in Metro to set up users; Control Panel in desktop to change the account type).

I'll keep playing.

 

[scottsjack]

That hair is wrong for any age, but it's a crime for anyone over age 20.

Wow, at Ars and other sites users are discussing the benefits and workings of Windows 10. Over here in Macland some are still making hair jokes. Some Mac users seem to be lacking in maturity.

 

[Moto G]

Wow, at Ars and other sites users are discussing the benefits and workings of Windows 10. Over here in Macland some are still making hair jokes. Some Mac users seem to be lacking in maturity.

It's beyond stupid - fear brings out criticism - maybe they're fearful of things outside the Apple world? Who knows (or cares).

 

[cult hero]

Welcome to the current century Microsoft!

I'm sure there's a lot more to this than the interface changes, but seriously... virtual desktops? View all open app windows? Search? These have been living comfortably in OS X for ages and in many Linux GUIs for even longer.

Can Microsoft produce any media that doesn't come off as lame? "This is intended for people who are technical but that's not going to stop me from talking to you like you're a drooling end user who is afraid of computers."

"So, we noticed that when we decided to unify our GUI across all devices we completely forgot how normal people use computers. We're going to fix that now."

Now, with all that said... this looks like a massive improvement over 8 and I've always loved the snap feature. I really wish OS X would incorporate it. I have an extra app that does it but it's definitely not as nice as the native Windows stuff.

 

[Grolubao]

This is the first time ever that I've been excited about a Windows release.

The switch between touch and desktop is intuitive and well-designed. THIS is how you do integration (it needs a bit more polish, but still).

It also incorporates many Mac (or Linux) features that were not available anywhere else. (FINALLY, multiple desktops). If they're accompanied by trackpads that are as smooth and responsive as Apple's, they would become a viable alternative to the Mac platform (for me, at least).

Whether it works as smoothly as advertised remains to be seen, but I think this will certainly add longevity to the Windows franchise if the execution is there.

I also prefer MSoft's take on "flat" than Apple's take. Apple really ticked me off with iOS; particularly with the inability to restore to the software that came with my device when I bought it (iPhone 4s, iPad 2).

And they're still doing this. That is just unacceptable. I'm afraid that eventually Apple will migrate that policy to the desktop. If (or when) that happens, it's good to know that at least Microsoft is pulling from the right sources and incorporating really useful features into their OS. I might have to switch back after 15 years. I want computers, not just appliances.

Bravo, Satya.

I like where this is going.

----------



Try Better Touch Tool.

http://www.boastr.net/

Kind offtopic here, but do you know of any PC with a trackpad as smooth as the macbook pro? That thing is buttery smooth

 

[tito2020]

Source? How do we know windows 10 will be a paid program?

Because they will unviel the pricing in 2015

 

[Moto G]

No wonder people perceive Mac users as snobbish and full of themselves - threads like this attract just those kind of people, looking at what idiotic piffle people are writing on this thread. Only insecure people type like scared children about SOFTWARE. Seriously, get a life.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Looks very good to me.

 

[dazed]

Windows OSX. Will give it a try. Haven't upgraded to Windows 8 yet. Not sure there is much point at moment as windows 7 seems pretty stable.

 

[Mr Bigs]

Is it wrong to judge a product solely based on a haircut?

It's amazing that I watched the video a didn't even pay attention to the guys haircut. Apple people can be very superficial .

----------

No wonder people perceive Mac users as snobbish and full of themselves - threads like this attract just those kind of people, looking at what idiotic piffle people are writing on this thread. Only insecure people type like scared children about SOFTWARE. Seriously, get a life.

Many on here use Macs and i-products as status symbols and not productivity.

 

[cgc]

I didn't see or hear a thing he said. I couldn't stop looking at that stupid haircut.

He's trying to look hip but looking weird instead.

Windows 10 is a tempting alternative to an unfocused OS X and the most uninspired Apple product pipeline in 25 years.

 

[Moto G]

Many on here use Macs and i-products as status symbols and not productivity.

I know, and yet - ironically (I hope this is irony, I disklike over-use of the word) - they're now SO mainstream, that every man and his dog has a Mac... so that makes them a "status symbol" of no consequence, in the same way that a mobile phone was a status symbol back in the eighties, and now they're ubiquitous utility devices that everyone has. A status symbol of being "unique", just like every other average person who can walk into PC World / Walmart, and walk out with a Mac or iPhone? Wonderfully individual - yeah - not at ALL pretentious

Pah, silly people showing off, aspiring to be "better" than other people. Just enjoy your life and be loving to one another - why don't people learn that?

 

[Tycho24]

I know, and yet - ironically (I hope this is irony, I disklike over-use of the word) - they're now SO mainstream, that every man and his dog has a Mac... so that makes them a "status symbol" of no consequence, in the same way that a mobile phone was a status symbol back in the eighties, and now they're ubiquitous utility devices that everyone has. A status symbol of being "unique", just like every other average person who can walk into PC World / Walmart, and walk out with a Mac or iPhone? Wonderfully individual - yeah - not at ALL pretentious

Pah, silly people showing off, aspiring to be "better" than other people. Just enjoy your life and be loving to one another - why don't people learn that?

Ah yes, as of January, in the US Apple has 13% of the PC market.... soooo ubiquitous & mainstream. What with just over one out of every ten...
/sarcasm

 

[iLLUMI]

his hair...why....why is it like that???

Yeh, every time I see it it bugs the hell out of me.
It's like "what is this guy doing with a female hair do?". It's just wrong.

Or is that a wig or something? You kinda just want to reach in there and move it around just to see if he's put it on incorrectly. lol

 

[CFreymarc]

Yes. 7 8 it.

Beat me to it.

----------

He's trying to look hip but looking weird instead.

Windows 10 is a tempting alternative to an unfocused OS X and the most uninspired Apple product pipeline in 25 years.

The craziest rumor I heard is that Windows 9 does exist and is a low profile semi-private release to Microsoft's most strategic third party developers. Supposedly, it comes out this month as a "Windows 10 beta."

 

[Wanted797]

Are they just skipping 9?

Yes I believe this is why...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dZIutRz9hw

 

[lowendlinux]

Apple's had multiple desktops (Spaces) back in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

Welcome, Windows users, to 2007.

Amiga had them in '85 BeOS had them in the '90's did you welcome OS X users to 1985 when it was implemented in Leopard?

Dude... Linux user is laughing... Linux has had multiple desktop for years... way before OS X...Apple open in full screen is not new as well... Windows has full screen application for years as well...

Yes, they have but it was an implementation of an old idea.

 

[haravikk]

I have the same peeve. Whenever I get a new Mac, one of the first things I do is disable desktop icons. You can do it via the command line, but I prefer just using TinkerTool: http://www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerTool.html

Might give it a try, I was actually wondering what happens if you just lock your Desktop folder? I do sometimes drag stuff onto my desktop temporarily, but I could maybe use a script to move anything that sits there for too long into a "TODO" folder or such.

There are definitely different solutions; ElementaryOS' downside is that you can't just drag and drop to the desktop, so that does get a bit annoying (have to open a file system window and drag to that instead), but a tidy desktop is its own reward!


In any event, I've been having a peek at the Windows 10 preview (under virtualisation, not sure if it's ready for serious use yet), and it's a definite improvement. I actually really like the hybrid start menu; that's not to mean I now like the start menu idea in general, as it's still a bit clumsy, but compared to the start screen it's a huge improvement.

That's the thing; I actually kind of liked Windows 8's other changes, there are many great technical changes, and live tiles are actually a nice system. It was everything else that was forced into it that stopped me from switching from Windows 7, even though I mostly use it only for brief periods or gaming (so the OS doesn't really seem to matter much as long as it can launch Steam ). The default Windows 8 UI is however great for a tablet or touch-screen laptop (not that I have either!), it just completely screwed up the desktop and traditional laptop users.

Technical enhancements are a big thing that people forget about Windows 8 though thanks to the UI behaviours that were forced upon everyone. It has some great under the hood changes and API upgrades; it's still easy to find yourself in dll hell or ruin the registry, but maybe one day Windows will actually replace those… nah.

 

[alex0002]

Windows 95 bad
Windows 98 good
Windows ME bad
Windows XP good
Windows Vista bad
Windows 7 good
Windows 8 bad
Windows 9 good?
Windows 10 bad?

Why on earth would they skip Win 9?!!

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but here is one possible reason:
https://www.reddit.com/r/technology...ows_version_will_be_called_windows_10/ckwq83x

if(version.StartsWith("Windows 9"))
{ /* 95 and 98 */
} else {

Of course windows versions are a little more complex that that, but just in case you don't think anyone would code something like that, further down the same thread we find this code search. Supporting legacy apps is such fun.

 

[2984839]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but here is one possible reason:
https://www.reddit.com/r/technology...ows_version_will_be_called_windows_10/ckwq83x

if(version.StartsWith("Windows 9"))
{ /* 95 and 98 */
} else {

Of course windows versions are a little more complex that that, but just in case you don't think anyone would code something like that, further down the same thread we find this code search. Supporting legacy apps is such fun.

Thanks, I didn't see that. Makes total sense.

 

[Crocodoc]

90's called, they want their video tutorials back.

Don't knock video tutorials. Someone with the right talent can use them to replace degrees.

 

[joe1946]

When I purchased my 6-core Mac Pro from B&H in August it came with a free OEM copy of Parallels Desktop 9 with a free upgrade to the 10 version but I did not install it . So when Windows 10 preview came out yesterday I instead installed it on my old 2008 Mac Pro with 1TB PCIe SSD boot drive and it works ok but is limited to 1920x1200 on my 30" 2560x1600 monitor. Here are two screenshots :

 

[tywebb13]

Windows 10 seems to run faster than windows 8, but the login screen is again enabled by default. I prefer it to be disabled and the way to disable it is to search for netplwiz, select the username, untick the box on "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer", click Apply, enter and confirm password in the popup, and then click OK.

Alternatively you can run netplwiz though by either:

- manually finding and double clicking it in the folder C:\Windows\System32

- or from the start button, click all apps, scroll down to and click windows system, scroll down and click run, and in the popup, type netplwiz and click OK.

Now upon restarting, it will take you straight to the desktop without need to login.

Of course if you ever need to get the login back, just run netplwiz again and tick the box you previously unticked.

 

[Crocodoc]

I'll be honest, if Windows 10 keeps on promising to be what Windows 8 should've been I'll more than happily change.

I've been spending a lot of time in Windows trying to get Mobile Video Rendering into Unreal Engine 4 (Hoping to beat Epic to the punch) and it's frustrating sometimes...

 

[tywebb13]

God mode still works in Windows 10

I'm glad God Mode still works in Windows 10. It's like a control panel on steroids accessible from the desktop.

To make one, make a new folder on the desktop called New Folder.

Now copy this code:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

and replace the name of the folder with that name. When you press enter, the folder icon changes to a control panel icon, and the name automatically changes again to just GodMode.

Double click it and you will get a lot of easily accessible controls on your system.