Microsoft has just released the public preview for their upcoming OS and we've got a gallery full of pictures of the latest features. It shows how Microsoft removed the Floppy Disk, we found a reference to Windows 9 and more.
Microsoft demoed Windows 10 yesterday and now they're letting everyone take it for a testdrive. You can download it directly or apply for the Windows Insider program so you will get regular updates and the chance to provide Microsoft with your feedback. Microsoft has made it clear that they will actively ask for feedback and make changes to Windows 10 accordingly.
At the bottom of this post you'll find a gallery full of screenshots of all the new features in Windows 10, but first let's reveal some smaller, but equally important changes that otherwise would go unnoticed.
First of all floppy drive support has been removed from the OS entirely.The Floppy Disk controller is listed as an unknown device. This will undoubtedly be a miss for many nostalgic PC users.
Second, Microsoft apparently has decided last moment to give Windows 10 its name, we found a reference to Windows 9 in the welcome screen which can be accessed by an icon put on the desktop after installation. The reference to Windows 9 can be found in the URL of the page.
There's a minor change in the installation too, but it could be the start of the first installer refresh since Vista. You might not have noticed it, but the installer windows now says "Status" right below "Installing Windows". While this obviously isn't a big change, it might indicate that Microsoft is planning to give the installer a much needed visual refresh.
Windows 10 currently still has Internet Explorer 11, version 11.0.9841.0, instead of version 11.0.9600.17278 in Windows 8.1. Microsoft has been cooking up updates for Windows 10 already, after the Technical Preview was installed Windows Update already showed an update to the operating system. Also an update for Windows Defender was available right after the release.
Overall the OS certainly is an improvement over Windows 8. It looks more polished and it seems Microsoft is finally listening to the user again. With Windows 8 it seemed Microsoft tried to force their ideas upon us. With the Windows 10 that appears to be changed. The company now takes feedback directly from the OS and appears to give this priority.
Besides that, the current Technical Preview is likely only the start of something big. The company has announced its One platform ideas yesterday and much of it isn't exactly visible in the Technical Preview. The early release of this version appears to be mainly proof that Microsoft will wants more involvement of customers during the development of Windows 10. Yesterday the company announced it would release more and more frequently.
