Kiddles
Duke Fishron
So Microsoft has now announced their new operating system, redundantly named Windows 9 Windows 10. So wait, why Windows 10 instead of Windows 9? Well, I'll let Ian Paul from PC World explain that one. Anyway, after the borderline failure that was Windows 8, Microsoft decided to FINALLY give users the option between an actual 'Start Menu', or the 'Start Screen'. They have also released a Technical Preview of their upcoming OS, available here.
Anyway, I've decided to download the Technical Preview version of the OS out of curiosity. After all, I skipped Windows 8, as I personally was not quite satisfied with the Start Screen, myself. So far, my experience has been pleasant enough. I'm still adapting to the metro interface, coming from Windows 7, but so far I've been able to figure things out without getting too lost. One of the new features I'm enjoying most, that Microsoft should have added a LONG time ago, is the ability to make multiple desktops.
Of course, there are a few complaints that I do have, so far. For example, the 'Control Panel' has been replaced with the ugly 'PC Settings' window. From what I've seen, it is basically a very dumbed down control panel, meant to be more user-friendly. This is both, good, and bad. On the plus side, newer users are able to explore options a lot more easily, and the configurations appear, for the most part, pretty basic. But for those of us who like to be able to change more advanced settings, and to be able to do much of it from one centralized hub, it means that we have to explore other areas to change the things that we want. Hopefully this will be remedied in future updates. After all, it is still a pre-release version of Windows.
As for the Start Menu, it's basically the result of the Windows 7 Start Menu and the Windows 8 Start screen doing the fusion dance. I, personally, have mixed feelings about this, because, on one hand, it's a LOT more convenient (for me) than the ugly Start Screen. And you can easily add apps to the right side of the menu through simple drag and drop methods, and even customize the size, making them either Small, Medium, Wide, or Large (depending on the item). Of course, the tiles, to me, anyway, don't look very attractive. And I highly prefer the look of Windows 7's Aero UI to the Metro Interface. Still though, it provides functionality and ease of use. My favorite thing about it is that pinned programs, like Explorer, Photoshop and VLC, have submenus for recently opened items. And it's far more appealing to the Start Menu traditionalists than the Start Screen is.
Anyway, that's my take on it so far. I'll add more as I continue to explore. For those of you who are curious to check it out, it should be known that it will "upgrade" your current installation of Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1. So only do it if you either have an extra Windows install on a separate hard drive or partition, or if you're curious enough to overwrite your current installation. In the least, you won't lose any of your programs or files from your previous install. In fact, your entire registry table carries over, and I've yet to encounter any problems with my previously installed programs. Including Steam and Terraria!
Anyway, I've decided to download the Technical Preview version of the OS out of curiosity. After all, I skipped Windows 8, as I personally was not quite satisfied with the Start Screen, myself. So far, my experience has been pleasant enough. I'm still adapting to the metro interface, coming from Windows 7, but so far I've been able to figure things out without getting too lost. One of the new features I'm enjoying most, that Microsoft should have added a LONG time ago, is the ability to make multiple desktops.
Of course, there are a few complaints that I do have, so far. For example, the 'Control Panel' has been replaced with the ugly 'PC Settings' window. From what I've seen, it is basically a very dumbed down control panel, meant to be more user-friendly. This is both, good, and bad. On the plus side, newer users are able to explore options a lot more easily, and the configurations appear, for the most part, pretty basic. But for those of us who like to be able to change more advanced settings, and to be able to do much of it from one centralized hub, it means that we have to explore other areas to change the things that we want. Hopefully this will be remedied in future updates. After all, it is still a pre-release version of Windows.
As for the Start Menu, it's basically the result of the Windows 7 Start Menu and the Windows 8 Start screen doing the fusion dance. I, personally, have mixed feelings about this, because, on one hand, it's a LOT more convenient (for me) than the ugly Start Screen. And you can easily add apps to the right side of the menu through simple drag and drop methods, and even customize the size, making them either Small, Medium, Wide, or Large (depending on the item). Of course, the tiles, to me, anyway, don't look very attractive. And I highly prefer the look of Windows 7's Aero UI to the Metro Interface. Still though, it provides functionality and ease of use. My favorite thing about it is that pinned programs, like Explorer, Photoshop and VLC, have submenus for recently opened items. And it's far more appealing to the Start Menu traditionalists than the Start Screen is.
Anyway, that's my take on it so far. I'll add more as I continue to explore. For those of you who are curious to check it out, it should be known that it will "upgrade" your current installation of Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1. So only do it if you either have an extra Windows install on a separate hard drive or partition, or if you're curious enough to overwrite your current installation. In the least, you won't lose any of your programs or files from your previous install. In fact, your entire registry table carries over, and I've yet to encounter any problems with my previously installed programs. Including Steam and Terraria!
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