Windows 10

[MikeW]

Interested to hear from any that have used the preview version.

Is it a new system or a revamp of 7/8 is it good or not

[MikeW]

Anyone

[Corrine]

Sorry, Mike.  I meant to reply when you first posted and then got carried away with other things.

I have Windows 10 Technical Preview installed on a separate partition.  I have Windows Update set for the "Fast Ring", which means I got the latest build essentially as soon as it is released.

I really had no interest in Windows 8 but the changes in Windows 8.1 did make a difference.  From Windows 8.1 comes Windows 10.  Based on my very limited exposure to Windows 8.1 on the 7" tablet I got recently (price was right and I figured it would be more versatile than a Kindle), Windows 10 is a further improvement and continues to add features.  There have been some glitches along the way.  I really had no luck with the first build and ended up removing it and starting fresh with the second build that was released.

Just as you do with Windows 7, you can pin programs (oh, sorry, the new vocabulary appears to be "apps") to the Start menu.  Click the Windows key/desktop icon and the shortcuts are immediately accessible.  They can be nicely arranged by user-created categories. 

[MikeW]

Sounds as if Win 10 is aimed more at tablets than desktops.
Even my win7 is set up in classic style and I use the quick launch bar. I guess this is not available in win 10

[Corrine]

There are instructions available for adding the quick launch toolbar to Windows 8.1.  The same folder is available, at least at this point, in Windows 10.

[MikeW]

Ah, that's something at least  :D  Thanks Corrine

[techie]

I have been testing the preview release as well. The start button will be a bit overwhelming at first because now the Metro style icons are placed in a list instead of on the full screen. I think Microsoft is wanting to stay with Metro flat box icons. The concept is good, but I think it will still alienate the general desktop and laptop user, old XP and WIN 7 style users. The latest Beta version is really unstable. The preview release is working well.
Microsoft states it is letting the user take control of there systems again. IT does have a learning curve, but I expect there will be some additional changes before the final release. I can see some of them in the latest beta, but it tends to crash and lockup.

I run WIN 8.1 as my daily operating system, and with any OS, I tailored it to my preferences. It actually flows and works better than WIN 7. I boot to the desktop, not the Metro Start, in WIN 8.1

I found that with either operating system, the fastest way to get to something is search, because some system settings take a number of actions to get there. A key feature that most people don't know about in WIN 8.1 and WIN 10 is right clicking the start button provides a quick link to most system settings, i.e. networking, control panel, device manger, system, command prompt, etc.

[Corrine]

Going from Windows 7 to Windows 10 TP is a bit of an adjustment.  For the most part, I'm trying to use it "as is" so I can get the proper feel of the operating system. 

Something that bugs me is the terminology.  The search option provided is to Search my stuff or Search the web.  What's with "Search my stuff".  What is wrong with "Search my files" or "Search my PC".  Stuff?  It sounds childish.  But, it provides one term.  It works on a desktop, laptop, tablet, phone but that doesn't mean I have to like it. 

Why is everything being referred to as an app?  Apps are not listed in Programs and Features so why are programs listed as an app?

[MikeW]

Interesting feed back. The more I hear about it the more it sounds like it is being driven by the smartphone/tablet market.  I don't think I will be taking up their free upgrade off. It took me long enough to tweak win7 into an acceptable form, after being a die hard XP lover.

[plodr]

I had my very first experience working on a Win 8/8.1 laptop last week. I couldn't figure out where the startup things were hiding so I skipped that. At least it was showing a desktop but when I clicked the start button/orb/window symbol, I got the tiles. My friend at least knew what to do to bring back the desktop and I learned quickly to right click start when I wanted to get to things.

I also bought an Android tablet last summer so I'm using a touch screen and apps. It isn't something I'd want to do on a "desktop" computer. I want my keyboard and mouse.

I will probably upgrade my Win 7 netbook but not until sometime in 2016. I'm never on the bleeding edge of things.  I'll let MS and users shake some bugs out.  :wink: I'll make an image before the upgrade. I'll play with it and figure out if it is doable for 2020 when Win 7 support dies.  If I don't like it, I'll restore the Win 7 image.

[Corrine]

Downloading the latest Build 10049 now.  It includes the new Spartan browser.  Introducing Project Spartan: The New Browser Built for Windows 10

[richc46]

I am using the version prior to Spartan. Bottom line, I like it, do not like the new search, and if I had to pay for it I would not switch. Since it is free, I think that the free offer will be taken by me. All of Corrine's comments are true. I do think that these changes will be accepted as she and others get use to the system

[Corrine]

I'm in the "Fast Ring".  Build 10049 was just release a short time ago -- download almost complete.  At 99% now. 

[winchester73]

I'm running 8.1 on this ThinkPad. I'll update to 10 for free, don't see any reason not to have the most current/secure version on a machine only a few months old.

[Wolfeymole]

If you hate 8.1 as it looks because you are used to Win 7 then try Classic Shell and they even do a Beta version for 10.

http://www.classicshell.net/