Thoughts on Windows 10 preview

I have not used windows on a desktop for some time now. I have an HP I keep windows on, but mostly use my macbook. So, I thought I would play around with the preview build in a VM. So far it hasn't been too bad. I tried Windows 8 when it first came around and quickly dispatched that idea. Windows 10 does seem to be smoother, though I can't compare it to 8.1 as I never used that system. I think I like it enough that I will deploy 10 on my HP as my windows machine just to see how it performs on a real system. For some reason I always have mouse lag issues on Virtual Box (Always have, not sure what the issue is - I have far more than enough hardware to run it smoothly. Its only the mouse, everything runs smooth as a baby booty)

For those that have messed with the preview build - what are your thoughts? Do you use it primarily as a virtual OS or have you installed it to a live box? Do you think it will solve the issues that 8 created? I know working for a SP we often have customers who have 8 or 8.1 and they have a really hard time adjusting to it from 7 or Vista. How do you feel the transition to 10 will be for users?

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DoubleNNs

I played around w/ Win 10 preview and like it as well. I've used it as a VM in the past, but have been thinking of installing Windows on one of my old desktops to play some old PC games, so I might use Windows 10 preview instead of Windows 7.

I think the mouse lag on Vbox has something to do w/ OS X's mouse algorithms. I used to use a Mac as my main computer and would always feel weird when I switched to other OSes. Googled it and read something about lag on OS X that users usually get accustomed to. I don't e=remember the specifics, but might lead you in the correct direction if you decide to research the issue further yourself.

NetworkNewb

Windows 10 isn't going to be a huge jump for people using Windows 8 right now. I actually use 8 on my work computer and personal computer. I do like Windows 10 better and plan on updating to it right away when the full versions come out. When businesses decide to upgrade Windows 7, I definitely think they will be skipping Windows 8 and going right to 10. The transition from 7 to 10 would actually be easier for normal users than the transition from 7 to 8. Simply because the whole start menu screen can annoy the heck out of alot of people.

edit: I do there are addons for the start menu, just think the Windows integrated start menu will be better option than downloading an additional addon on everyone's computer.

MTciscoguy

Windows 8.1 is not that difficult to use, if you install a nice little software package called classic start menu, once that is installed it runs virtually the same as windows 7 did for a normal user. Windows 10 is going to be an easy update for anyone using 7 or 8.1.

NetworkNewb

I just wouldn't want to deal with the issue of people getting annoyed when they put their mouse in corner and open up that start screen in windows 8 on accident. Still happens with that add on. I would avoid windows 8 for users at my company.

ssnyderu2

I will soon get to be an expert on Windows 8.1 as my company has decided to deploy it on all our computers, just over 1000 machines.

ally_uk

Not to fussed to be honest, Windows 7 does everything I need it to do windows 8 and 8.1 dress it up how you want I see not point in defending it both versions are a hot pile of steaming dog turd in comparison with 7.

Windows 10 doesn't excite me either... linux on the other hand

seigex

They should wait for Windows 10 ... I've been using it since the first beta release as my primary work desktop (as a lead software engineer) and aside from a few minor annoyances I haven't had any issues with it. Hands down it is a great update to 8.1 and would be easier for win 7 users to transition. No point in learning the full screen start menu just to have to go back when you end up upgrading to 10.

MTciscoguy

NetworkNewb wrote: »

I just wouldn't want to deal with the issue of people getting annoyed when they put their mouse in corner and open up that start screen in windows 8 on accident. Still happens with that add on. I would avoid windows 8 for users at my company.

The way I have my windows 8.1 set up with Classic Start Menu, the menus don't open on the side, I completely disabled the charms bars.. I have to do a certain key combo to open any of the charm bars, mine works just like a windows 7 computer and most people are hard pressed to know I am running 8.1. Classic Start Menu has over a dozen different tabs that you can set things up to run exactly like you want.

"Steaming pile of dog crap" Boy, I love the windows bashers, 8.1 actually has a much more robust code set and as stable as windows 7 is, my 8.1 computer is much more stable, I have been running it for over 2 years now and have yet to have a blue screen or any other type of crash. I still every once in a while have crashes on my windows 7 64 bit machines.

seigex

MTciscoguy wrote: »

The way I have my windows 8.1 set up with Classic Start Menu, the menus don't open on the side, I completely disabled the charms bars.. I have to do a certain key combo to open any of the charm bars, mine works just like a windows 7 computer and most people are hard pressed to know I am running 8.1. Classic Start Menu has over a dozen different tabs that you can set things up to run exactly like you want.

"Steaming pile of dog crap" Boy, I love the windows bashers, 8.1 actually has a much more robust code set and as stable as windows 7 is, my 8.1 computer is much more stable, I have been running it for over 2 years now and have yet to have a blue screen or any other type of crash. I still every once in a while have crashes on my windows 7 64 bit machines.

^^ This.. and Windows 10 is even better.

I've been a Linux user since the early 90s, where you had to manually compile kernels and compile X Server to even run a windows manager, had to set jumpers on video cards to make sure they didn't conflict with modems.. Linux has changed, become a lot easier to run and even somewhat sexier on the GUI side, but running Linux desktops at a shop that has non-techie users who need to run efficiently screams IT nightmare to me, and from an IT management perspective, I would pitty anyone who has to deal with that.

Microsoft has improved leaps and bounds over their failed Windows Vista OS. Vista itself was the necessary step though (just like 95 was to 9

to get us to a modern OS and away from XP, and W8 is to the upcoming W10 to move us to an even more robust OS.

As things become more and more web-robust, IT shops eventually can be OS agnostic (unless the website requires silverlight), but that's still several years off.

NetworkNewb

lol whatever... I use 8.1 and think it's fine for an avid computer user. I don't think it is beneficial to upgrade my finance and accounting teams computers to 8 as I don't see the value in it and would have to download an addon just so it isn't annoying to them. Especially when we would just upgrade them to 10 when it comes out. Using 8 in a business right now just seems like a waste time to me. I got better things to do.

Not to mention what would happen if a Windows 8 update comes along and breaks your "free start menu app"? I'm not gonna rely on something that could break and not be updated.

MTciscoguy

seigex wrote: »

^^ This.. and Windows 10 is even better.

I've been a Linux user since the early 90s, where you had to manually compile kernels and compile X Server to even run a windows manager, had to set jumpers on video cards to make sure they didn't conflict with modems.. Linux has changed, become a lot easier to run and even somewhat sexier on the GUI side, but running Linux desktops at a shop that has non-techie users who need to run efficiently screams IT nightmare to me, and from an IT management perspective, I would pitty anyone who has to deal with that.

Microsoft has improved leaps and bounds over their failed Windows Vista OS. Vista itself was the necessary step though (just like 95 was to 9 to get us to a modern OS and away from XP, and W8 is to the upcoming W10 to move us to an even more robust OS.

As things become more and more web-robust, IT shops eventually can be OS agnostic (unless the website requires silverlight), but that's still several years off.

I started working with Unix back in 1981, I used Unix and Liniux for many years now, I still own a copy of the beta of Windows 1.1. My computer experience stated with machines that took up rooms, Personal opinions abound, I only speak for my experience and I have a very open mind all of my 23 web servers run Unix with Apache, so I am pretty well versed as it sounds like you are.

MTciscoguy

NetworkNewb wrote: »

lol whatever... I use 8.1 and think it's fine for an avid computer user. I don't think it is beneficial to upgrade my finance and accounting teams computers to 8 as I don't see the value in it and would have to download an addon just so it isn't annoying to them. Especially when we would just upgrade them to 10 when it comes out. Using 8 in a business right now just seems like a waste time to me. I got better things to do.

Not to mention what would happen if a Windows 8 update comes along and breaks your "free start menu app"? I'm not gonna rely on something that could break and not be updated.

I have been through every single update on Windows 8 and it has not broke the add on that I use. I do however agree, there is no reason at this time to update to windows 8 in any version, with windows 10, just down the road a bit, windows 10 is going to be much easier for those that grew up with xp and 7. When over 90% of the world runs a product, it is probably not real productive to call it "Steaming Piles of Dog Turds" With the new update to 10, I think you are going to see Windows again evolve to a nice place in the market, Not that they really need to worry much, they own over 90% of the market.

For those working with a business that is running windows 7, it is not worth it to upgrade to 8, in fact it would be downright stupid to upgrade to 8.1 !

As far as a 3 party company updating their "Free Start Menu App" How many of us depend on those who write apps to update their regularly? Just take a look at that phone you have in your hands, or that tablet you use regularly, How many "free" apps are you or your company currently running on their phones? Remember a smart phone is nothing more than a palm sized computer, with cell capabilities.

ally_uk

I have ran Windows 7 for over like 5 years now without any crashes, hang ups. Haven't had a need to touch Windows 8 for anything don't get me wrong I have used 8 and 8.1 hated them both. I am not a Windows Basher I just saw 8 as a massive step backwards compared to 7 especially with the first incarnation of 8 with the whole metro rubbish. No thank you I do not want my computer to resemble a deluxe paint chart!

I use 7 for desktop / gaming

and Linux for servers

Windows 7 has served me well still continues to do so I haven't the need to upgrade to 8 and probably wont with 10, Should I be upgrading? what exactly is new or enticing about it? faster boot times? more shitty metro bolted on junk..... No thank you

Why are they releasing 10 as a free update anyways? is it because they realize how much up a balls ache windows 8 was? and people reverted back to 7 because it was ass nuggets...

Seriously guys I have lost count of the amount of times I have heard customers rinse the following line!

" I hate this f**king Windows 8 junk! "

Serious I have heard it so many times over the last few years and I agree with them it blows

MTciscoguy

Hell,

I have been running windows, since the first rendition so many years ago, and there is not a day that goes by that I don't says, "I hate this fu*King program" That is just part of the computer game, but we still work with it, we still make it work for what we do, we ran Windows in the Pentagon, I had Windows terminals in the Middle trying t kick Sadam's Ass, it is here to stay and no matter how much you hate it, you had better know it, in one form or another.

In the almost 30 years in the Army, we spent over a trillion dollars of your money on Windows products.

ally_uk

That's alot of money down the drain, should of installed Linux

Gess

I've been using Win10 TP on my primary laptop for a few months now and I love it. There are some quirks that will be worked out before it goes to full release, but overall I like it a lot. I plan to upgrade the rest of my computers as soon as it goes live. The licensing structure is a little sketchy but it shouldn't matter too much for now.

NetworkNewb

MTciscoguy wrote: »

As far as a 3 party company updating their "Free Start Menu App" How many of us depend on those who write apps to update their regularly? Just take a look at that phone you have in your hands, or that tablet you use regularly, How many "free" apps are you or your company currently running on their phones? Remember a smart phone is nothing more than a palm sized computer, with cell capabilities.

I'm just referring to business use. I just wouldn't count on a random free third party app with no support for my company.

If someone is using for their personal computer, then yes, I would recommend them to try out the start menu app if they are already running Windows 8 though. It does do a decent job replacing the start menu screen.

varelg

For me, it really boils down to gaining some new functionality when I choose to upgrade. So, am I gaining something new from the switch (notice, it isn't "upgrade" it's "switch") to win 10? Beside the Continuum, which as announced won't be rolling out together with the Win 10 official release, I don't see any tangible reason to switch. Even when (or maybe if) Continuum rolls out, it is for Windows Phone and even for that I'd have to switch from Android. There's really no compelling reason to switch to Win 10.
On almost every occassion that MS talks about win 10, they mention the Software As A Service thing. Lol, I'd even have to subscribe to Windows to keep it running?!
Some mentioned Linux as an exciting alternative, Linux on a desktop is fragile to a point beyond any repair. Even within VM it is breaking in ways unimaginable, distros that were strong on desktops. As a server OS, yes Linux, as a desktop- no thanks.

MTciscoguy

NetworkNewb wrote: »

I'm just referring to business use. I just wouldn't count on a random free third party app with no support for my company.

If someone is using for their personal computer, then yes, I would recommend them to try out the start menu app if they are already running Windows 8 though. It does do a decent job replacing the start menu screen.

I have now said twice, in a business environment, other than my own, I would not upgrade to windows 8, without the upgrade, you don't need the classic start menu program. My wife runs 64 bit windows 7 for our business. Classic State Menu is not an app, it is a program and there is a difference in the way they are implemented.

As far as Linux, I run a couple of boxes with it and I run servers with Unix on them, but Linux is never going to put a dent into the Windows world, it has never been able to and it is never going to. As robust as Mac is for certain things, it is never going to put a dent in the Windows world and if you remember, they changed their computers so they can run Windows.

Windows is going to continue to be the dominate force in the computer market for the rest of my life and probably for the next couple of generations lives, and it really does not matter whether you like the program or not. I cuss Windows every single day, but even a dumb ole' army boy like me, knows how to understand the reality of the world! Microsoft did not get as big as they are by being stupid.

NetworkNewb

MTciscoguy wrote: »

Classic State Menu is not an app, it is a program and there is a difference in the way they are implemented.

Off topic, what is the difference between a application and a program. I'm far from a software developer so don't actually know. I guess I've used them interchangeably and thought of them as the same. I looked up different Start Menu replacements and on their websites some actually call themselves Applications and some say Program.

MTciscoguy

Apps, as they currently are, interact with the OS in a different level than a program, apps run as an extension of the OS, programs run because of the OS but are not an extension of the OS, we you close a program, if it is wrote correctly will close down and stop taking resources, apps, become less active, but don't actually shut down, they continue to run in a neutral state in the background. Apps are written in such a manner that they will launch and come up for use quicker than a regular program will. If you look at the task manager in Win 8 and 8.1 you will see a tab for programs(processes) and you will see a tab for app history. Just comes down to the way the code was wrote to interact with the OS

W Stewart

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Off topic, what is the difference between a application and a program. I'm far from a software developer so don't actually know. I guess I've used them interchangeably and thought of them as the same. I looked up different Start Menu replacements and on their websites some actually call themselves Applications and some say Program.

He's referring to the apps from the windows 8 app store. It's just Microsoft's attempt at being more mobile friendly. Outside of windows and phones, an application is a program.

gc8dc95

I work in an IT company so that may change my opinion a little on use in business, but I use 8.1 at home and at work. I like it. Win+S and Win+X pretty much negate the need for start menu for me. I typically dont use it much anyway.

I have only briefly messed with Win 10, but I like what I saw.

olaHalo

I havent tried Windows 10 yet but it looks good to me.
I watched some videos and will be downloading it as soon as it is released

TheStoddemeister

As a beginning IT, this thread ahs been incredibly informative for business needs! but I digress. Studying for both the 70-680, 70-685 and 70-687, 70-688 I can safely say that Windows 7 kept with the normal Windows application: Business. It was made for production, where as Windows 8.x was made for more of a ... How to say, unified platform with mobile computing. Windows 8.x was created with (in my opinion) too much mobility in mind, however it does get it's job done. All of my setting carry over from my phone to my 8.1 desktop regardless of which one I change it on, and the interface is fairly similar.

Moving on to the actual topic of this thread, I have been using the tech preview on and off since it's initial release as an image, and now I am using it as released from Windows Update. People have been asking about the features, and for those of you who are looking into this thread not to discuss but to discover, some of the new features are as follows along with my own opinion of them to follow along with the idea of discussion:\

- Multiple desktops: You can now 'virtualize' desktops to run multiple programs/apps without cluttering the screen. The shortcut to create a new one is Ctrl+Win+D and the shortcut to delete the current desktop is Ctrl+Win+f4. Along with the Ctrl+Win+left/right shortcut I find this to be a very useful tool for multitasking minus all the clutter. I can have one desktop dedicated to downloading updates/drivers and have another for installing them, and even a third + for keeping me distracted while these operations complete. The big drawback to this that I can see is productivity in the field. While I am sure a GPO will be included to turn off this capability, allowing these will tempt end users to be lazy, and keep their own desktops hidden from a passing boss.

-The new start menu: The new start menu is reminiscent of Windows 7, except when pinning something to the start menu it become a tile off to the right which can start the program with a single click. Remember everyone, and this can be done in 8.x as well, you don't have to have Live Tiles. Simply turn them off! The start menu beside the tiles shows recently accessed programs and has a button for both show all programs/apps and the shutdown button is back. Mind you, you will still have to right-click the start button or use Win+X to access quick admin tasks like control Panel or System Information

-The new search/Cortana: I am personally not a big fan of the voice-commanded assistants like Cortana, it is pretty neato that I can set it up to simply say

-The new notification center: The new Notification center allows you to view both system notifications and push notifications from Apps, along with a set of little boxes on the bottom that can give you quick, one-click access to a slew of settings and options for your PC. These little boxes can be customized with whatever is available with the expansion of the list, allowing you to customize your own quick access.

-Spartan Browser: recently re-released to the public, the Spartan browser is by far the fastest Browser I have used to-date! In addition to a speed up, I can even draw on the screen and save resulting drawing as an image. I point this out because it could be used for training purposes on things like a business intranet site. You can highlight, point to and even crop certain parts of the screen in the presentation and save the images for later presentations

-Tablet mode: Mind you all, I don't own a tablet. Even still, the tech preview/10 is following its predecessor in that it will support multiple interfaces. Wit the click of a button, you can change your computer to table mode for a more mobile approach to the Windows tablets such as the surface.

That's all she wrote! I'll personally be eagerly awaiting the release of Windows 10. If there are any other features I missed, be sure to post them here so I can get some hands-on with them, too!