Windows 10 Technical Preview Available To Download: Install Guide And Big Warnings
Yesterday Microsoft announced Windows 10, the numerically questionable successor to Windows 8. Now just 24 hours later the ‘ Windows 10 Technical Preview’ has been made available for download, for free, and you can start using it right away.
Read on for how to get it and some important caveats.
First the caveats. Microsoft MSFT +0.5% stresses that the Technical Preview is just that: a very early build of what users will enjoy when Windows 10 goes on sale in mid 2015. As such it states “Download and install the preview only if you”:
- Want to try out software that’s still in development and like sharing your opinion about it
- Don’t mind lots of updates or a UI design that might change significantly over time
- Really know your way around a PC and feel comfortable troubleshooting problems, backing up data, formatting a hard drive, installing an operating system from scratch, or restoring your old one if necessary
- Know what an ISO file is and how to use it
- Aren’t installing it on your everyday computer.
In a final warning (and a nice show of humour) Microsoft reiterates: “We’re not kidding about the expert thing. So if you think BIOS is a new plant-based fuel,Tech Preview may not be right for you.”
Lastly be sure your computer achieves the minimum requirements:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
- RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
- Free hard disk space: 16 GB
- Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver
- A Microsoft account and Internet access
And know what you will and won’t have to reinstall depending on the version of Windows from which you are upgrading:
Windows 10 upgrade information from previous versions
As for technical support issues/questions you may have, the best place to head is the Windows Technical Preview forum.
How To Install Windows 10 Technical Preview
If you are happy to go ahead, however, getting the new Windows is fairly straightforward:
- Sign up for the Windows Insider Program
- Double check the system requirements
- Click one of the Download links – Windows 10 Technical Preview x86 (2.9GB), Windows 10 Technical Preview x64 (3.8GB) – to download the ISO (official page)
- Take note of the Windows 10 Technical Preview product key you are given
- When the download is complete, transfer the ISO file to installation media such as a DVD or USB flash drive (theWindows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool still works brilliantly)
- Double-tap or double-click ‘setup.exe’ from the installation media, and then follow the steps as prompted
Windows 10 marks the return of the start menu
General tips? Having been a part of both the Windows 7 and Windows 8 betas I can say it is fun getting your hands on the latest version of Windows months before everyone else and watching the operating system evolve as you use it – this happens quickly. Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 betas were also very stable, though that doesn’t mean Windows 10 will be the same.
An interesting potential benefit is Microsoft has previously given discounted upgrade prices to beta testers when the final version became available. That said this is no guarantee and with Windows 10 predicted to be very cheap or even free for many upgraders this may not be the carrot it once was.
Windows 10 finally brings virtual desktops like OS X and various flavours of Linux
There is also no guarantee that you will be able to upgrade to the final version from the beta software (you couldn’t with Windows 7, you could with Windows 8) – though previous betas have given a generous 8-12 month period to upgrade before their licences expired.
By now you will have a good idea whether Windows 10 Technical Preview is for you. Yes it comes with many caveats, but can be enjoyable living on the cutting edge and (if your PC meets the hardware requirements) it is certainly better than persisting with Windows XP and its third party security hacks.
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Windows 10: Everything You Need To Know About The New Windows
As expected Microsoft MSFT +0.48% has formally announced the new version of Windows. As no-one expected it will be called ‘Windows 10’ not Windows 9. Why? Because Microsoft claims it represents such a significant leap over Windows 8 that calling it Windows 9 would not do it justice.
I can hear your groans now, but in Microsoft’s defence Windows 10 has some major (and long awaited) improvements. Here are the highlights:
One OS To Rule Them All
Architecturally the biggest news is that Windows 10 is being designed to run across all device form factors. That means desktops, laptops, tablets, phablets and smartphones.
“Windows 10 will run on the broadest amount of devices. A tailored experience for each device,” said Terry Myerson, Microsoft Executive VP of Operating Systems. “There will be one way to write a universal application, one store, one way for apps to be discovered purchased and updated across all of these devices.”
Microsoft didn’t break down when we might see a Windows 10 smartphone and how that would impact/absorb Windows Phone (or even elaborate on the future for Windows Phone) but it does offer clear insight into Microsoft’s long term road map.
Update: Microsoft has now confirmed ‘Windows 10′ will also be the next major version of Windows Phone. What devices get the upgrade and how Microsoft will handle it remains to be seen.
Windows 10 Start Menu
The Start Menu Is Back
The cat has been out the bag for some time, but Microsoft has finally confirmed the Start Menu will return. The leaks were spot on and it will combine both aspects of the classic Windows 7 start menu with apps from the Metro/Modern UI. Searching within the Start Menu will now perform a web search as well.
Crucially its layout can be customised so apps can be removed or resized and the flexibility and personalisation potential of the Start Menu should win back fans disillusioned about its removal in Windows 8.
Windows 10 use on a tablet
Better Touch/Keyboard And Mouse Integration
Microsoft has taken criticism seriously about the jarring nature of moving between touch and the keyboard and mouse elements of Windows 8.
Microsoft is calling the new approach ‘Continuum’ and it is an umbrella term for a better merger between to different input methods. Continuum will be able to automatically switch between modes by detecting on how users interact with their device. It also carries over to design aspects like the new Start Menu, windowed apps within the desktop and so forth.
“We’re trying to be thoughtful about a UI that goes across all devices,” explained Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice President of the Operating Systems Group at Microsoft.
He admits Continuum remains a work in progress with refinements to things like the Charms Bar (yes it is still there) set to be an ongoing process through the life of the public beta and right up to release (more on that later).
Windows 10 Virtual Desktops
Virtual Desktops
Another leaked feature Microsoft confirmed today was virtual desktops. Microsoft didn’t give the feature an official name at this stage, but it works much like the long used multiple desktops on Linux and Exposé on Mac OS X.
The view can be triggered with a new ‘task view’ button which both allows users to launch a new virtual desktop and jump between them. Interestingly the taskbar can be customised to look different/relevant to each desktop allowing a simple leap from work to home modes, for example.
Microsoft said all open programs in the virtual desktops will continue to run in the background, which makes for some interesting memory management challenges but also greatly increases the potential productivity of Windows as well as de-cluttering the desktop space.
Pricing / Availability
It has been much speculated that Windows 10 may be given away free to upgraders or involve a nominal fee, but Microsoft revealed no information about this in either the presentation or Q&A afterwards.
What we did learn is a technical preview of Windows 10 will be made available to users later this week (Microsoft is stressing it is only for advanced users and developers at this stage) and that an official release would not follow until ‘later in 2015’. This suggests the OS is not as far along as many expected and Microsoft is keen to develop it in conjunction with user feedback.
Windows 10 Start Menu search
What Will Still Don’t Know: A Lot
Perhaps what is almost as interesting as what was revealed about Windows 10 is what Microsoft kept to itself.
In addition to no news on pricing, Microsoft also didn’t touch on performance (install size and minimum hardware requirements), Cortana integration (the voice assistant in Windows Phone 8.1), give a solid release time frame or go into any detail on how Windows 10 will handle scaling on high resolution screens – crucial given 4k monitors and super high resolution laptops are quickly gaining momentum.
On the flip side what we did see is a more open Microsoft. A company, perhaps shaken by the decidedly mixed reaction to Windows 8 (however fair or unfair), that is now keen to try and mix the best aspects of Windows 7 and Windows 8 into a more user friendly experience. This means releasing early builds, issuing rapid fire updates and developing in conjunction with ongoing user feedback.
Windows 10 Product Family
Is choosing the ‘Windows 10’ moniker a step too far though? “It’s a name that resonated best with what we’ll deliver,” explained Myerson.
Many would argue the struggles of Windows Phone and Windows 8 have put Microsoft into a terminal decline, but tonight’s announcement – while thin on details – suggests there is still life in the old dog yet.
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