Microsoft's Technical Preview of its new Windows 10 operating system (OS) marks a major turning point for the company. For the first time, the Windows OS will be available for free - for a year after its release for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users through a Windows Update option on the desktop.
Microsoft is also promising to fully support Windows 10 for the entire lifecycle of the device (whether it be PC, laptop, tablet or phone), which is a major shift from the previous strategy of only offering support for an OS for a limited period. For example, Microsoft no longer offers support for Windows XP and ended "Mainstream" support for Windows 7 on 13 January 2015, although it still offers extended support. The new strategy ends this confusion and is a major part of the Seattle-based company's increasing focus on providing services rather than merely a platform.
The best of both worlds for mobile and desktop
By skipping the Windows 9 moniker, Microsoft hopes to make a fresh start and move on from the much-maligned Windows 8. There are a whole raft of major changes and minor tweaks available in the preview.
The Start Menu
The Start Menu is one feature that keyboard and mouse users sorely missed in Windows 8, and Microsoft will please its legion of Windows 7/XP fans by reintroducing (and redesigning) it in Windows 10. The new Start Menu is a kind of hybrid, incorporating the traditional Windows menu (a list-style view) with the Live Tiles Windows-8 style. It is completely customizable; you can chose to run it with a different sizes of Live Tiles (small, medium, large) of your choosing or with none at all. There is also the option to see your most used apps or list them alphabetically, as well as a full screen mode, which makes most sense when you are switching between tablet and desktop view on a hybrid device.
Continuum
This isn't the only enhancement Microsoft is making to push the use of 2in1 devices. A new feature called Continuum will mean that Windows 10 will adopt its look and feel on these hybrid 2in1 devices according to the mode you are using (keyboard and mouse, or touch input). While Microsoft execs have demoed this publicly, it's not yet available in the Technical Preview.
Cortana
Microsoft has brought its virtual assistant Cortana (the Siri equivalent for Windows/Windows Phone) to the Windows 10 Technical Preview. The idea is to allow more natural interaction with your device, as well as provide intelligent recommendations based on search history and manually-inputted preferences.
Project Spartan
Project Spartan is a new browser that has been built especially for Windows 10. While it isn't available in the Technical Preview, Microsoft has revealed that its features will include the ability to annotate by keyboard or pen directly on a webpage and easily share that with friends; a distraction-free reading view that is distraction free; and a simplified article layout.
Windows Store Beta
While you can still access the old Windows Store in this preview, Microsoft has opened up feedback for its new and redesigned Windows Store Beta. This appears as a greyed-out icon on the Task Bar and has limited functionality, but is another area where the company aims to deliver a consistent experience across devices.
Accessing your apps
Apps that are consistent across all devices continues to be a major focus. The company is working on touch-friendly versions of the Office suite to be ready for Windows 10 general release, as well as a range of Microsoft apps that will have the same look and feel as each other no matter what device you use.
Virtual desktops
Windows 10 Technical Preview users can create multiple virtual desktops to group apps or programs together. To add desktops, users need to click on the Task View button on the desktop. This allows you to see all the apps running in your virtual desktops, as well as easily switch between both the desktops and apps. The Snap Assist feature allows you to snap four different apps into place on your screen so you can see them all at once.
Other new additions to Windows 10 include the search option that lets you search not just your system, but also the internet. PC settings have also been made clearer, simpler, and consistent across all devices; connecting to audio and wireless has been made either (either click the “Connect” button in the new Action Center, or use the Windows + P keyboard shortcut); and you can easily choose which apps you get notifications from.
When will Windows 10 be available?
Windows 10 is much more user friendly than Windows 8 (and will certainly not be such a shock to the system for those upgrading from Windows XP or Windows 7 (or maybe even Vista). With the decline in PC sales, Microsoft is shifting its focus to 2in1 devices that can switch between keyboard/mouse and touch modes (think full screen Start Menu and the Continuum feature). There is also a strong focus on delivering a consistent experience for all parts of the OS across all devices (think universal apps and the Windows Store Beta). With this strategy, Microsoft will hope to push further into the hybrid device/tablet market, while boosting sales of its mobile devices.
It's important to note that this is still a test build and Microsoft is working new features and enhancements that it will incorporate before the final release.
The Windows 10 Technical Preview is available to download, but you must join the Windows Insider Program first to access this preview.
The general release date for the operating system has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be available by late 2015.