Windows 10 is almost here, and it looks pretty exciting. The new OS has a chance to succeed where Windows 8 failed by being both a traditional desktop operating system for PCs and laptops, and an OS which works properly on smartphone and tablet touchscreens. In fact, Windows 10 will be designed to be truly universal operating system, with apps working across computers and mobile devices.
Microsoft's Build 2015 conference at the end of April gave us an even better idea of what to expect from Windows 10 and the direction the new operating system is taking, and so far we're certainly impressed. The opening keynote revealed a number of new features, and that the fact that Microsoft is planning to make it easier for developers to port Android and iOS code to the platform means the number of apps available, a current sticking point for Windows Phone and Windows 8, should rocket. For more details on what was unveilved at Build, see page 2 of this article.
Here we describe in detail what to expect from the new OS, including how to download and install the Insider Preview, and how to get Windows 10 for free when it arrives.
Windows 10 is launching in late July
The good news is that we don't have long to wait until Windows 10 is released, as Microsoft has finally confirmed that its new operating system will be launched this summer.
"We continue to make great development progress and shared today that Windows 10 will be available this summer in 190 countries and 111 languages," wrote Terry Myerson, the Windows chief, on a Microsoft blog.
Microsoft isn't following the release template of Windows 8 with Windows 10; for Windows 8 we had a Developer Preview followed by a more polished Consumer Preview five months later, whereas for Windows 10 there was a Technical Preview in October, but the Consumer Preview never appeared. Instead, Microsoft has been releasing new builds of Windows 10 on a rolling basis, which users can usually install from within the software - although sometimes a full reinstall has been required. Microsoft also renamed the Technical Preview as Insider Preview at the beginning of May, but the operating system remains the same. For details on how to download and install the Insider Preview, see "You can get Windows 10 TODAY" below.
What we don't know from Myerson's statement is what 'available' means and how we'll actually be able to download and install the new operating system. Given that Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will be a free update for Windows 7 and 8 users, it's feasible that as soon as the new OS is complete and designated as Released to Manufacturing (RTM), it could be available as a free download, in a similar way to how Apple releases updates to its OS X operating system. We've already seen this kind of in-place upgrade with Windows 8, which was upgraded to Windows 8.1 through the Windows Store, but Windows 7 doesn't have a Store and therefore such a neat upgrade path.
As for exactly when Windows 10 will launch within Microsoft's rather large 'summer' timeframe, AMD shed a little light on the subject in its earnings call in mid-April. According to AMD's president and CEO Lisa Su, Windows 10 will launch in late July.
When answering a question concerning inventory plans, she said, "with the Windows 10 launch at the end of July, we are watching the sort of impact of that on the back to school season, and expect that it might have a bit of a delay to the normal back to school season inventory build-up."
We still don't know an exact date for the launch of Windows 10, but with the summer months rapidly approaching, we shouldn't think it will be too long before Microsoft reveals the full extent of its Windows 10 release plans.
You can get Windows 10 TODAY (if you’re brave)
Microsoft launched the Technical Preview last year, and has now renamed this early version of Windows 10 the Insider Preview. This is still early software, but we've found it to be pretty reliable so far. If you want to see Windows 10 in action, our in-depth guide on how to install the Windows 10 Insider Preview shows you how to get it running on a fresh PC, with a dual-boot configuration and on a virtual machine.
Windows 10 will be FREE for Windows 7 and 8 owners
For the first year after launch, anybody running Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. It’s a good move from Microsoft, as it helps manufacturers and system builders sell computers and laptops now, with consumers safe in the knowledge that they’ll get the new OS when it launches for no additional cost.
We don’t have other pricing information, but if Microsoft sticks to current prices, expect to pay around £70 for a home-user licence. There may be some surprises on that front, but we’ll bring you more information when it’s available.
There was some speculation that Windows 10 would also be available as a free upgrade for those running "Non-Genuine" (pirated) versions of Windows 7 and 8, but this has been debunked by Windows chief Terry Myerson. Essentially, Microsoft plans to offer "attractive Windows 10 upgrade offers" to those running pirated Windows, possibly with the hope of at least getting some money out of those who are averse to paying for their Windows.
There is some excellent news for those who have taken the plunge with the Windows Insider Preview (see above) - they will be able to upgrade to the full version of Windows 10 for free. Worth putting up with the occasional crash for, we reckon.
No more VERSIONS
Rather than waiting years for a big update, Microsoft is promising more regular updates. Terry Myerson announced the news at Microsoft's press conference in California. Myerson also said that the question of "what version are you running?" will soon cease to exist, as Microsoft aims to keep developing Windows 10 for the foreseeable future, suggesting it could be "one of the largest internet services on the planet" in the next couple of years.
This is great news for consumers, as it could signal the end of big drastic OS upgrades every few years. It's also good news for developers as it means they'll be able to target all device types with just one application, providing greater parity across PC, laptop, mobile and Microsoft's Xbox One games console ("the most fun games console ever", according to Myerson). How a constantly updated OS will affect consumers and business is another matter, however, but we have some ideas.
New Windows 10 features unveiled
From Microsoft Build 2015 conference
If you're not yet familiar with Windows 10 then head to page 3 of this article first. For those who have been following things up to now, here are the latest tweaks demonstrated by Joe Belfiore at Build 2015. For starters the team has added back in the Aero transparency effects from Windows 7, which were removed in Windows 8, to the Start Menu and Taskbar. This gives you a blurred glimpse of other applications or the Desktop, and helps to give the operating system a pleasingly tangible feel. Of course, you'll need supported graphics hardware, and you'll be able to deactivate the effect if you prefer a plainer look or to improve performance.
Speaking of the Taskbar, Microsoft has added Jump Lists. These are small menus that pop out when you right-click an application. Jump Lists vary from application to application, but usually contain shortcuts for opening recently used files or for common program functions; for example, right-click a web browser on the taskbar and you'll see the options to open a new tab or incognito window, and a music player's jump list gives you playback controls.
Microsoft is keen to get Windows 10 users downloading and using apps, rather than simply going straight for the web browser. To this end, part of the Start Menu is dedicated to suggesting an app you may find useful based on your use of other features and apps. If you have downloaded an app recently, that will appear in this location to tempt you to use it. The Start Menu will also suggest related apps from the store when you go to search for and launch apps you already have.
The Lock Screen is also more intelligent than before. It will show you various images which you can then tell Windows you like by clicking on hotspots, and based on your selections the operating system will offer more of the same. It will also highlight features you haven't used, such as a stylus (if you have one) or the Cortana personal assistant, offering you a selection of options and apps to help you get the most out of Windows 10 accessories or features.
Speaking of Cortana, the voice-activated personal assistant will be able to take commands and execute them without you even having to leave the desktop and open an app. The Build demo showed Cortana relaying a voice message into text and posting it in a chat app to the recipient, all without the chat app's interface being shown or the user leaving the Start Menu.
Microsoft really looks to be onto something with these new features. It wants users to use Windows 10 apps, but it also wants those apps to feel integrated into Windows services and interface conventions. If it gets it right then Windows could finally combine powerful productivity with the kind of ease of use we see from Android and iOS.
Windows Phone is no more, long live Windows 10 Mobile
Windows 10 will also be coming to smartphones, signalling the end of the Windows Phone name. There's far more to Windows 10 Mobile than just a simple name change, however; instead of being a vaguely-related operating system, Windows 10 Mobile will use the same code base as the full Windows 10 operating system. Desktop and Mobile versions of Windows 10 will share some of the same apps, too, using the same universal mail app and much-improved calendar and photo apps. Skype will also be fully integrated for the first time.
Windows 10 should be appearing on practically every phone that currently runs Windows 8. Microsoft confirmed that this was the case late last year, and more recently has stated that it's trying to get the operating system working even on low-end handsets with 512MB of RAM. However, such handsets may not include all the features in the full version, as Joe Belfiore warned recently on Twitter:
Hey all: we ARE working on Win10 for 512MB, including 520. Our ambition is to make #Win10 available for these devices but features may vary
— joebelfiore (@joebelfiore) February 8, 2015
At the Build 2015 conference, Belfiore showed off a Windows Phone handset that could run the full Windows 10 desktop. When plugged into a monitor and with the assistance of a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, the handset was usable as a desktop PC, running the full versions of Microsoft Office apps. For more details, check out Windows 10 full desktop will run on new smartphones.
Microsoft has released a list of handsets that will run Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview. There's also the caveat "as long as they have at least 8 GB of storage, Windows Phone 8.1 was already installed on the phone at the time of purchase, and the version number is 8.10.14219.341 or earlier". As these handsets lack the ability to drive dual displays, they won't be capable of showing both the Windows desktop on a monitor while also still being used as a phone. Here's the current list:
- HTC One (M8) for Windows
- Lumia 430
- Lumia 435
- Lumia 520
- Lumia 521
- Lumia 525
- Lumia 526
- Lumia 530
- Lumia 532
- Lumia 535
- Lumia 620
- Lumia 625
- Lumia 630
- Lumia 635
- Lumia 636
- Lumia 638
- Lumia 640
- Lumia 640 XL
- Lumia 720
- Lumia 730
- Lumia 735
- Lumia 810
- Lumia 820
- Lumia 822
- Lumia 830
- Lumia 920
- Lumia 925
- Lumia 928
- Lumia 930
- Lumia 1020
- Lumia 1320
- Lumia 1520
- Lumia Icon
Microsoft will handle Windows 10 Mobile updates
Many Windows Phone owners are currently at the mercy of network operators when it comes to receiving updates, meaning some devices are long behind others with their software versions. However, with Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft plans to wrest back control of the update process. This is with a view to making devices more secure, as well as to reduce version fragmentation and so make life easier for app developers.
According to Windows chief Terry Myerson:
"[We] continuously probe our software with leading edge techniques, and proactively update supported devices with necessary updates to address issues. And today, we’re announcing this continuous update process applies to all Windows 10 devices, including phones."
Android and iOS apps will be easier to port to Windows 10 Mobile
Windows Phone is in many ways an impressive operating system, but it's always been somewhat stymied by a lack of app support, with many developers understandably concentrating on the market-leading Android and iOS platforms. With Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft wants this situation to change. It has released a set of tools to make it simpler for Android developers to port their apps to Windows 10 phones, as well as an Objective-C compiler to help iOS developers re-use code on Windows 10 Mobile.
This should mean that Windows 10 Mobile won't miss out on so many major apps, so should be able to differentiate itself on its own merits rather than being dismissed by consumers due to not having a certain app they need.
Games and the Xbox One
Microsoft has delivered some good news to those looking forward to multiplayer online gaming on Windows 10 - it doesn't plan to charge gamers for the privilege. Mulitplayer online gaming was one of the key new features Microsoft announced in January's big Windows 10 reveal.
It was widely expected that this would be an extension of the Xbox Live Gold service that Microsoft currently offers to its console owners, which costs around £25 per year if you buy a prepaid voucher or £40 on Microsoft's auto-renewal system.
However, Microsoft's Larry Hryb, director of programming for the Microsoft gaming network, has confirmed the company has no plans to charge PC or phone users for online gaming, as confirmed in a Tweet spotted by The Verge.
Microsoft has also promised that some new games will run across both Windows PCs and the Xbox One, letting people play against each online, no matter which device they're using. Crossplay will be arriving with Fable Legends, letting PC and Xbox One players join up and enter Albion together on the same servers. You'll be able to enter a friend's game straight from the Activity Feed on the app's homepage.
Even where a game is not cross-platform, Microsoft has promised to better integrate Windows and its games console. Xbox head Phil Spencer revealed the Xbox App, which will come pre-installed as part of Windows 10 and which puts your Xbox Live friends feed on any PC. It lists all the games you play across all your devices, syncs messages between console and computer, and shows the friend feed for sharing images, messages and video clips. Most impressively for Xbox gamers, Windows 10 will be able to stream gameplay from your console over a local network - meaning you'll be able to carry on that epic Halo session even if someone else wants to use the TV.
Windows 10 will support DirectX 12 natively at launch, which should require half the resources of DirectX11 - making it ideal for low-power devices, hybrids and laptops, as well as mobiles and tablets. Spencer said DX12 should increase game performance by up to 50%, as well as cut the power consumed when rendering similar scenes in half, compared to using DX11. This will come as welcome news for mobile game developers, and Spencer said that hundreds of studios are already taking advantage of what DirectX12 has to offer.
Whatever you play, a new Windows+G shortcut will bring up a video capture interface for recording gameplay clips, with the last 30 seconds of gameplay being automatically saved. As soon as you've recorded your clip, you'll be taken back into the Xbox app so you can edit and share it on your Activity Feed. Even games released before Windows 10 will be supported; Spencer showed how it worked with Sid Meier's Civilisation Beyond Earth, which was released in October 2014.
Windows 10 will support USB Type-C
The new operating system will also have some influence on computer hardware. For a start, Windows 10 will support USB Type-C. The new USB standard, as seen on the new Macbook, is far more than just a way to plug in your external storage, mouse or printer. USB Type-C will also support displays and even be able to power laptops. What that means is that your next laptop might only have USB Type-C ports, giving you huge flexibility, as you can use the ports for power, multiple monitors, peripherals and more. It's going to be the biggest shake-up in laptop design in years - see Everything you need to know about the amazing new USB Type-C port for more details.
It's goodbye Internet Explorer and hello Edge
For the first time since 1995, there will be no Internet Explorer web browser, with Microsoft shifting to its new lightweight Microsoft Edge browser, previously called Project Spartan, which will run on everything from phones to workstation PCs.
Microsoft has announced that Edge will not have an option to render as IE, and will only use its new engine (possibly based on WebKit, but not yet confirmed). As a result, IE will continue to be available as a separate download, primarily to support businesses that have built applications using the browser.
We've already seen a preview of Edge, with Microsoft demonstrating the browser early on. It appears to take several design cues from Google Chrome, including tabs in the title bar and the address bar inside those tabs. Edge also includes support for the Cortana Personal Assistant, a Reading List for saving web pages for offline reading and syncing between devices, annotation to share with other Edge users, and clipping web content.
Edge is included in the Windows 10 Insider Preview, although it's still rather basic. At the moment it lacks basic functions, including a browsing history (or a Home button, which some users may find annoying). However, the current version does include web browser annotations and the Reading List/Reading View, which lets you save websites for later browsing in an ad-stripped window; this is similar to Apple Safari's Reading mode. Edge also seems to be the most unstable part of the Windows 10 Insider Preview, crashing when performing simple tasks such as removing favourites. We'll keep an eye on it in future Windows 10 builds.
Windows 10 means new features and after the shambles of Windows 8, it looks as though we’re going to get new features that we actually want. Some things will change over time and we’re bound to see new features added before the launch, but these are the ones that we’re most interested in.
YES, there’s a Start Menu!
The Windows 8 Start Screen (Metro, Tiled interface and whatever else you wanted to call it) was the most horrible thing about the OS. In effect, it took away what people wanted on a desktop and created a bizarre two-tiered operating system that didn't work particularly well on computers or tablets. Windows 10 aims to redress the balance.
In the original Technical Preview, there was a Windows 7-style Start Menu and a Windows 8-style Start Screen, which you could switch between depending on whether you were on a PC, laptop or tablet. For the latest version, the Start Menu still has a combination of live tiles on the right and a more traditional list of apps and programs on the left, but the Start Menu can now expand to fill most of the desktop with the click of a button. The expanded mode is better suited to touchscreen devices, and it's good to see a unified Start Menu design instead of it being split into a Start Menu and Start Screen.
Charms are DEAD and the Action Center is MUCH better
In Windows 8, Charms were the bizarre set of icons that you got to by swiping in from the right-hand-side of the screen, or precariously balancing your mouse cursor in a corner. Even when you got the Charms to appear, they often proved confusing and useless.
Instead of Charms, swiping in from the right in Windows 10 brings up the much more useful Action Center. This which works a lot like the Notification bar in OS X 10.10 Yosemite, showing notifications from your apps, including Skype calls, social media updates and more. Notifications are expandable, so that you can see more information and even interact with them. Action Center also adds shortcuts for common features, including airplane mode, Wi-Fi, display brightness, tablet mode and the screen rotation lock.
FINALLY, a unified Settings app
Windows 8 split its settings into a Control Panel desktop app and a separate Start Screen app. It was incredibly frustrating that you couldn’t do everything, such as control User accounts, from a single app, and had to flick between them. With Windows 10 all is forgiven, as Microsoft has promised that all settings will be combined into a single app with a single user interface.
In Windows 10 Insider Preview, this is still a work in progress - the new Settings app is more comprehensive than Windows 8's, but the Windows 7-style Control Panel is still present and needed for certain functions.
Tablet Mode (Continuum) makes it EASY to switch between touch and desktop modes
Windows 10's Continuum feature (presented in the OS as Tablet Mode) is designed to make the operating system work seamlessly on hybrid laptop/tablet devices, such as the Surface Pro 3, so the hybrid will switch from desktop to tablet mode when you undock it from its keyboard. When a tablet is removed from a keyboard or dock, a small pop-up will appear in the bottom-right corner asking whether Windows should switch to tablet mode.
Once tablet mode is enabled, all the apps currently running immediately go full screen. To switch apps, you can swipe in from the left to show a thumbnail view of all running apps and open windows, and select the one you want to look at. Likewise, tapping the Start button will automatically bring up the full-screen Start menu interface, giving you easier access to all your live tiles and more space for them to show their info, such as headlines, photos or weather information.
It works the same in reverse, too. Once you've finished using your hybrid in tablet mode, reattaching the keyboard will prompt another pop-up asking to transform back to desktop mode, and all your windows will reappear as they were before you switched to tablet mode. In the Windows Insider Preview, the automatic switching is not yet enabled, but you can swipe in from the right to open the Action Center (see above) and use the Tablet Mode icon to switch modes automatically.
Standalone tablets will also use this tablet interface, and you'll also be able to run two apps simultaneously in split-screen mode. Tablets will also have access to the traditional desktop mode, so you can plug in a keyboard and mouse and use it like a normal PC. Video footage has also emerged showing how Windows 10's interface will work on compact tablets (those with a screen 8in or smaller). When running on such a screen, Windows 10 will make the Live Tiles on the Start Menu bigger, so it's easier to hit the right button on compact, high-resolution screens.
Talk to me: Cortana comes to PC
Cortana, Microsoft's personal digital assistant, will also be present in Windows 10 PCs. Previously confined to Windows phones, where it took the form of a Siri-style voice-activated helper, Cortana works in a very similar way on your desktop. You'll find Cortana in the Search box located in the taskbar, and you'll be able to speak to it directly to ask questions and search the web via Bing, as well as type in commands manually.
Cortana also has a few PC-exclusive functions, such as being able to play music or search through storage locations including your local hard disk, OneDrive and OneDrive for Business for documents, images and files. You'll also be able to search for specific groups of files, too, such as 'photos from December'. Your search results will be separated into apps, settings, photos, videos, music and email tabs, as well as a general files tab that shows everything.
As we explain in "Features from Build 2015" on page 2, Cortana can also be used to perform common tasks, such as sending a message, directly from the Start Menu and without even having to open the relevant app.
We FINALLY get virtual desktops
Microsoft hasn’t really updated the Windows task switcher before, with only the rather-pointless Windows Vista Flip 3D added into the mix, which let you scan through open apps in a strange 3D view. With Windows 10, Microsoft is adding a genuinely useful task switcher called Task View. As with Apple's OS X Mission Control (previously Exposé), the new mode displays all your open windows, apps and documents, so you can quickly switch between them.
As any user of Linux or OS X will know, having multiple virtual desktops is a great way to increase productivity. It lets you quickly move between different groups of apps, keeping your computer well organised. For the first time, Windows 10 will have multiple desktops built in. At the bottom-right of Task View is a New Desktop icon, which lets you quickly add new desktops on the fly rather than jumping through a series of menus. You'll be able to launch separate instances of programs and Explorer windows and toggle between virtual desktops to help you multi-task much more efficiently.
Snap enhancements give the BEST window control EVER
It’s fair to say that Windows has long had an excellent window management system (the clue is in the name), with the Snap system letting you quickly move an app to go full-screen or take up half the screen. This time around, Microsoft has added a quadrant system to Snap, so you can have up to four windows neatly aligned on your desktop. This should make it a little more useful for multitasking, particularly when working on a 2,560x1,440 or greater resolution display.
When you snap a window to one side of the screen, Windows 10 brings up a thumbnail view for the empty space showing other running apps and open windows, so you can click on the one you want to fill the space. It's a very quick way to get your windows organised, and far ahead of Apple OS X.
Also FREE for Raspberry Pi 2
Microsoft will also give a free copy of Windows 10 to developers using the Raspberry Pi 2. The new Pi 2 is six times more powerful than last year's Model B+, according to the Raspberry Pi foundation, seemingly making it fast enough to run Microsoft's next version of Windows.
To date, the Pi has been running various Linux operating systems, but now it seems Microsoft wants a slice of Pi. The company has announced it will be joining the Raspberry Pi foundation and making free copies of Windows 10 available to those who participate in its Windows Developer Program for IoT (Internet of Things). That is a non-commercial developer scheme that encourages members to build connected devices.
With Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton aiming to sell three million Raspberry Pi 2 units, Microsoft clearly saw this as a movement it didn't want to miss out on. The Windows Developer Program for IOT currently supports the Intel Galileo boards, but these have proved nowhere near as popular with amateur tinkerers as the Pi, as Microsoft concedes.
Microsoft says it will share more details about its plans for Windows 10 on Raspberry Pi in the coming months. In the meantime, it's encouraging developers to enrol in the developer program to receive updates closer to launch time.
