Windows 10 Announced

[ISiddiqui]

Yep, they skipped Windows 9... for some reason...

Microsoft's next OS is Windows 10, will ship later in 2015

http://gizmodo.com/windows-10-micros...ati-1640805626

Your Start Menu is back, you heathens.

[ISiddiqui]

Wait... maybe they didn't skip a number... Free Windows 9 this year to those owning Windows 8:

Windows 9 upgrade: free download for Windows 8 users | BGR

[RainMaker]

I will buy whatever OS they make that treats my desktop like a desktop and not a tablet. I loathe Windows 8.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I will buy whatever OS they make that treats my desktop like a desktop and not a tablet. I loathe Windows 8.

I have only ever had to use it once, very briefly, when helping my dad set up his new computer. I couldn't stand Windows 8. I'm sure I would have gotten used to it, but still.

Luckily, I am only about to finish year 2 of my current laptop. I run about 3-3.5 year or so cycle, so, if all goes well, I shouldn't needs buy another until Windows 10 is out.

[ISiddiqui]

And personally I just don't understand the opposition to Windows 8. Learned it in less than half an hour, and I don't have a touchscreen laptop.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

And personally I just don't understand the opposition to Windows 8. Learned it in less than half an hour, and I don't have a touchscreen laptop.

What would you say Windows 8 brings to the table over Windows 7. What changes were ultimately for the better?

I don't mind Windows 8 at all, I got used to it as well, but it still went backwards in regards to the interface for mouse/keyboard driven input.

Unlike other bombs (Vista/ME), it seems as solid technically as anything they've built. The interface was just a head scratcher.

[ISiddiqui]

As you indicate, technically it adds quite a bit under the hood.

I don't really see the Start Screen as a way back. I actually prefer it to the Start menu. In that way, I think Win10 is going backwards. The Start Screen allows you to put your favorite apps on the screen, rather than having to go through the secondary step of going to "All Programs" if it isn't in the 10 or so apps on the Start Menu. And if you want to see all of your Programs, it's easy enough to go down from the Metro tiles - and you don't have to hover over arrows to see everything.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I will buy whatever OS they make that treats my desktop like a desktop and not a tablet. I loathe Windows 8.

+9999999999999

[jeff061]

I long ago stopped using the start menu to do anything but type in an app and do a quick search, well before 8 ever came out. Windows-S does the same in Win8, once I figured that out it was gold.

That said, you can see in the screenshots the Windows 10 start menu looking in part basically like a miniaturized version of the "Metro" menu from Win 8. Which is fine by me, I did not like the start menu replacing the desktop altogether with a non-cascading flat style, it was cluttered, hard to quickly navigate and did not flow with how I used every other aspect of the system. I can't remember the last time I used it(Windows-S for the win).

The classic start menu may be antiquated, but I don't think the Windows 8 version was the answer.

[Buccaneer]

99% of my desktop apps are accessible from the Task Bar or Start Menu (pinned games). I'll stick with 7 for I loath the design and layout of 8/10 (I don't want nor need a dashboard or tiled layout).

[Ryan S]

Originally Posted by jeff061

What would you say Windows 8 brings to the table over Windows 7. What changes were ultimately for the better?

Speed.

I have Windows 8 configured to look like 7, so I have not seen the Start screen in at least 6 months. It is quite easy to hide the annoying parts of 8 if you want to.

[Ryan S]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Wait... maybe they didn't skip a number... Free Windows 9 this year to those owning Windows 8:

Windows 9 upgrade: free download for Windows 8 users | BGR

That news report is a few days old. If there is an update this year I think they will call it 8.2 if they bother to number it.

[Grover]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I will buy whatever OS they make that treats my desktop like a desktop and not a tablet. I loathe Windows 8.

I ordered a new desktop last week. I paid an extra $50 to have Windows 7 installed over 8.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by Ryan S

Speed.

I have Windows 8 configured to look like 7, so I have not seen the Start screen in at least 6 months. It is quite easy to hide the annoying parts of 8 if you want to.

Again, I gotten used to and don't have much of a problem with Win8. That said, I don't think you are configuring it like 7 without paying for Start8(which is a fantastic product). I know there's a freebie alternative out there, but it's garbage. I understand why people hate it and think it's perfectly valid.

[ISiddiqui]

Though I was thinking that all this whining about skipping numbers seems to forget that technically, the version number for 'Windows 8' is actually Windows version 6.2 (8.1 is version 6.3). This all began because Windows 7 was really just an SP3 to Vista, but they wanted to move away from the negative connotations with Vista, so while it was version number 6.1, the public name was Windows 7.

So, basically Win7, Win8, Win8.1 are based on the Vista codebase. So whatever they name it is kind of fluid anyways .

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I will buy whatever OS they make that treats my desktop like a desktop and not a tablet. I loathe Windows 8.

this

I have gotten used to it, but don't think I'll ever get over the shock of taking my new laptop out of the box just to discover I have no idea how to navigate it.

[Radii]

https://issues.jenkins-ci.org/secure...tailsTask.java

There is a rumor going around that the version skipping may be in part due to third party code that is still out there that looks to see if the windows name started with "Windows 9" to check for Windows 95 and 95.

[Edward64]

I stayed with Windows 7 for a while but bought a Surface Pro 3 with Windows 8. After a little adjustment period, no looking back and am happy with it.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

And personally I just don't understand the opposition to Windows 8. Learned it in less than half an hour, and I don't have a touchscreen laptop.

Because most of us are used to an interface we've been using for 20 years and it takes a long time to get used to the new one. We don't need giant Facebook and Instagram tiles giving us constant updates. We just need a machine that allows us to easily run software and customize the environment to our liking.

What is that you are getting by upgrading? It's a little faster. But just about every new feature touted could have been put into an operating system with the old UI and functionality.

Microsoft is selling us a Hybrid OS that while usable, wasn't quite made with their intentions in mind. They want to push their dumb app system so that they can scarf down 30% of the proceeds from 3rd parties. Apps that open in fullscreen and don't take you back to the previous program when closed. Because God knows when I'm using "Windows", I want to open something that doesn't give me access to other Windows. And I'd mention that most of these apps are just worse than the browser equivalent. I also have a mouse and don't need imaginary spaces on my keyboard that open up menus. Just give me a button and let me click.

Windows 8 is just Microsoft's way of condensing their development teams and taking a cut off software that they had nothing to do with. It wasn't made for users.

[Suicane75]

I've got a new machine coming pre loaded with 8.1. As someone still using XP, This thread has scared the crap out of me.

[SnowMan]

I use Classic Shell to turn my win8.1 into win7, basically. No more stupid tiles for this kid.

[Suicane75]

Yeah, I just downloaded it. It'll be the first thing I do. Still ascared though.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

Yeah, I just downloaded it. It'll be the first thing I do. Still ascared though.

Its really not that bad. Their default apps are dumb. So you want to make sure you change the default open programs so you don't full screen some awful PDF reader, for example. That + a shell program and you will really be fine.

A lot of people are just unhappy that Windows 8 comes with these things that you have to work around, and they're not wrong at all, its stupid and annoying. but once you deal with these things you will not have any problems.

There are actually Windows 8.1 advocates who say that if you take the time to learn keyboard shortcuts and learn how to use things instead of forcing it immediately to look like Windows 7, that they actually like it, as shipped, better than 7. I'm not one of those people, but they're out there.


Lastly, Classic Shell is free, but I didn't like it. I chose to pay $5 for Start8 instead (Stardock Corporation. So if Classic Shell doesn't seem like the right fit for you, start8 has a free trial.

Again, yeah its dumb that a ton of people chose to do these things to get around what Windows 8 tries to force you into, but once you get it set up it will all work great.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

Yeah, I just downloaded it. It'll be the first thing I do. Still ascared though.

Granted I haven't used WinShell in awhile, but I would strongly recommend paying the $5 for Start8. WinShell felt to me like a hacky addon, Start8 felt like part of the OS, very well done.

edit: Posted before I read Radii saying the same thing. Completely agree with him.

[jeff061]

Edit: cause I'm dumb and misread things.

[Suicane75]

Thanks guys, just downloaded Start8 too so they'll both be ready.

How easy is it to remove a lot of the bloatware or even just stuff I don't want, right out of the bat?

[jeff061]

Like the Dell/Lenovo/HP pre-loaded garbage? I don't think that has much changed since the XP days.

[Dutch]

Trying to please a billion users or so must be hard.

[cartman]

Sweet mother of mercy. Massive data dump from Microsoft today during the Windows 10 Preview Event.

For one, FREE upgrade to Windows 10 for all Windows 8.1 and 7 users.
Start button is back
IE will be no more. A new browser named Spartan will be the successor
Windows 10 will also power the Xbox One
Cortana will be available on PCs

This, and a lot more info is available at various tech spots on the web. Ars Technica has quite a bit of info already written up from today's event.

Ars at the Windows 10 event | Series | Ars Technica

[Groundhog]

Can it be.... I'm actually excited about a new version of Windows?!

[Alf]

Originally Posted by cartman

IE will be no more. A new browser named Spartan will be the successor

Now, that's some serious rebranding. Getting rid of IE bad reputation is a fine move.

[Alf]

Spartan at ARS

[frnk55]

I love windows 7. Sticking with it as long as possible.

[RainMaker]

So if you have a computer with Windows 8, you'll be able to upgrade to 10 for free?

[Alf]

fwiw : my work computer has just been migrated from Win95 to Windows last september (and only because of a crashed disk). So, there's along way to go to get Windows 10

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by frnk55

I love windows 7. Sticking with it as long as possible.

+1

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by cartman

Sweet mother of mercy. Massive data dump from Microsoft today during the Windows 10 Preview Event.

For one, FREE upgrade to Windows 10 for all Windows 8.1 and 7 users.
Start button is back
IE will be no more. A new browser named Spartan will be the successor
Windows 10 will also power the Xbox One
Cortana will be available on PCs

This, and a lot more info is available at various tech spots on the web. Ars Technica has quite a bit of info already written up from today's event.

Ars at the Windows 10 event | Series | Ars Technica

Also, you will be able to stream Xbox games onto any device with Windows 10.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

So if you have a computer with Windows 8, you'll be able to upgrade to 10 for free?

Yep. For up to 1 year after 10's release date.

[rjolley]

Has anyone heard if Remote Desktop Server will be available in the free Win10?

[korme]

Originally Posted by Alf

Now, that's some serious rebranding. Getting rid of IE bad reputation is a fine move.

Agree, every time I see someone has IE I shake my head, and I haven't used IE in maybe a decade, so it could be just as good as Firefox or Chrome I just have no idea.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by rjolley

Has anyone heard if Remote Desktop Server will be available in the free Win10?

They haven't said anything yet about different versions and what feature sets would be included. From what I understand, the free Win 10 upgrade will be to an equivalent of what the Win 7/8 install looks like.

[Groundhog]

God I wish I didn't have to use IE. At my company we only just upgraded from 8 to 10 which at least means I'm able to browse most websites without a "sorry, your browser was designed during the Bronze Age" error.

[Fidatelo]

I'm a Chrome guy but IE10 and 11 are pretty decent. And the 'metro' version on the Surface is by far the best touch-based browser I've used.

[ISiddiqui]

Yeah, I'd prefer the latest version of IE over Firefox. Though Chrome is my #1 choice.

[cartman]

This looks amazing.

Hands-on: Microsoft’s HoloLens is flat-out magical | Ars Technica

[ISiddiqui]

WOW!

I heard about holo stuff, but hadn't actually seen anything on it. It's nice to see Microsoft innovating so much, with the Surface Pro, a cross platform OS, FREAKING HOLOLENS!

[MizzouRah]

I got the little Windows icon today that you click on to reserve your free upgrade. I'm a bit excited about W10 for free.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I got the little Windows icon today that you click on to reserve your free upgrade. I'm a bit excited about W10 for free.

MR, I had the icon show up too a couple of days ago. Clicking it only reserves a download? If so I'll do that. I was afraid that it would d'load and install itself before I was ready to make the move so haven't clicked on the icon yet. I'd like to wait for initial reports on compatibility with current programs I run before making the switch.

Thanks.

[Eaglesfan27]

Where does the icon appear?

Nevermind: I found it

[MacroGuru]

Yeah, I have had the icon pop up on my Win 7 Desktop and my Surface 3 Pro.

Can't wait!