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By 1 October 2014 | Categories: news

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When Windows 8 first released in August 2012, it was greeted with rather mixed reactions, and has continued to polarise opinion ever since. Now, a little over two years later, Microsoft has unveiled its newest desktop dedicated operating system, named Windows 10, skipping the Windows 9 altogether.

The company is also set to release a newly developed preview system, titled Windows Insider Program (WIP) for users to engage more meaningfully with the OS and provide a collaborative discourse between Microsoft and its enterprise community.

This new platform is certainly geared towards business clients, with Microsoft executive vice president for the Operating Systems group, Terry Myerson, reaffirming this focus. He enthused that "this will be our most comprehensive OS and the best release Microsoft has ever done for our business customers."

During a presentation held last night, Myerson, along with some of his fellow Microsoft colleagues, waxed lyrical on the newly enhanced version of Windows. Windows 10 represents the first step of a whole new generation of Windows, unlocking new experiences to allow customers new ways to work, play and connect", he noted.

Across the board

The first aspect highlighted in Windows 10's development, is its adaptability, with Microsoft scaling the OS for use across all of its form factors including Xbox, PCs, smartphones, and far smaller devices (perhaps hinting at a long overdue foray into wearables, although unconfirmed).

Added to this, Microsoft is delivering a converged application platform for developers on all of their devices with a unified app store. "Developers will be able to write an application once and deploy it easily across multiple device types, making discovery, purchase and updating easier than ever for customers," Myerson explained. This will help in bringing Microsoft's app store closer to scope and quality of offerings available to Android and iOS users.

Along with its cross-platform scalability, Microsoft also highlighted the business application of Windows 10, with improved enterprise-grade security, identity and information protection features being particular focal points.

Furthermore, Windows 10 will also help advance data loss prevention by using containers and data separation at the application and file level, according to Microsoft.

Welcome back

During the live demo of Windows 10, Microsoft took the opportunity to showcase some new improvements and welcome additions, many of which at the desire of unstatisfied or frustrated Windows 8 users.

Key among these is the re-introduction of a more traditional start menu, a particular sticking point for users of the previous Windows iteration, and one we are glad to see back. As expected, this start menu will provide one-click access to one's programs, apps, contacts and files from one centralised hub.

Another change is the running of Store purchased apps in the same format as desktop programs. Staying with apps, the snapping function seen in Windows 8 has also been enhanced, with up to four different applications capable of being snapped together at once.   


With no official release date slated as of yet, interested users can check out the Windows Insider Program website when it goes live later in the week. 

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