Windows 10 – A New Operating System

Last week Microsoft introduced its next Windows Operating System, Windows 9. No hang on that is wrong. We are not going to get Windows 9, instead we are skipping one and going straight to Windows 10.

On the day many commented that the skip was down to Microsoft wanting to show that this was not just an incremental improvement, but a whole new operating system. However, as time goes by it might be that the reason for skipping 9 is no more than a logistical issue.

The trouble that Microsoft had with using Windows 9 was that so many 3rd party applications referred to Windows 9, simply as a legacy of Windows 95 and Windows 98. Apparently, there is a longstanding code short cut that is designed to differentiate between 95 and 98 and that wouldn’t grasp that there was now a Windows 9.

So if we need to jump to 10 for pragmatic reasons, has Microsoft developed an OS that will prompt people to upgrade? Earlier this year we blogged that 49% of Windows users were on Windows 7, while 28% continued to use the 12 old and unsupported XP. Take up of Windows 8 and 8.1 was just 11% earlier this year.

Well Microsoft does seem to be listening. Windows 10 sees a combination of Windows 7 familiarity with its Start button coupled to the live tiles from Windows 8. This is a deliberate attempt by Microsoft to make the OS familiar and productive for users. Some of the main highlights are:

Expanded Start menu. The familiar Start menu is back, providing a new space to personalise with favourite apps, programs, people and websites.

Apps that run in a window. Apps from the Windows Store now open in the same format that desktop programs do. They can be resized and moved around, and have title bars at the top allowing users to maximise, minimise and close with a click.

Snap enhancements. New quadrant layout allows up to four apps to be snapped on the same screen. Windows will also show other apps and programs running for additional snapping, and it will even make smart suggestions on filling available screen space with other open apps.

New Task view button. The new Task view button on the task bar enables one view for all open apps and files, allowing for quick switching and one-touch access to any desktop created.

Multiple desktops. Instead of too many apps and files overlapping on a single desktop, it’s easy to create and switch between distinct desktops for different purposes and projects.

What we also really liked about Microsoft is there Windows Insider Programme that will provide beta testers with Windows 10 previews. Microsoft is open to engage with its users and take their input to develop a Windows 10 OS that is welcomed rather than being dismissed like previous efforts.