Windows 10 Technical Preview

[Boozad]

No there is a new 4 window snap mode, where in Windows 7 and 8 you can drag to the left and right edges to quickly snap 2 windows side by side. You can now drag them to the corners and have them snap in each corner, it also gives you the suggestions of which windows you can put in the gaps.

That's not using Task view (multiple desktops) though, which is what I was saying I don't see the point of.

EDIT: I read your initial post wring, I thought you were referring to the Task View sorry.

 

[Androcles]

I just switch between windows in my taskbar, I can't see how multiple desktops is going to make that any better than it is.

You can for example have 2 windows on 4 different virtual desktops and use one button to switch between desktops and alt+tab to cycle the windows in each desktop, the upside of that is not having to cycle through 8 windows with the alt+tab and just hit a button to switch to desktop 3 and alt+tab to cycle between two windows there, no more spamming alt+tab in the hope that you hit the right window.

 

[Androcles]

Microsoft cannot expect desktop and laptop users to put up with a start menu that is now 5 years (and two versions of Windows) old, and if they want consistency between the mobile and desktop look and feel a new desktop start menu is essential.

In my view the old adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies here, there's nothing wrong with the old windows 7 start menu, it does the job well, so why change it? Add to it yes, but there's no real point in changing it.

 

[Boozad]

You can for example have 2 windows on 4 different virtual desktops and use one button to switch between desktops and alt+tab to cycle the windows in each desktop, the upside of that is not having to cycle through 8 windows with the alt+tab and just hit a button to switch to desktop 3 and alt+tab to cycle between two windows there, no more spamming alt+tab in the hope that you hit the right window.

Or I can just hover over the preview thumbnail in my taskbar on a single desktop and click the window I want without having to press anything on the keyboard or remember which desktop I put whatever on. I can honestly say I've never used a keyboard shortcut to choose a window I want to select.

 

[Boozad]

In my view the old adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies here, there's nothing wrong with the old windows 7 start menu, it does the job well, so why change it? Add to it yes, but there's no real point in changing it.

That I will certainly agree with.

 

[ubuysa]

In my view the old adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies here, there's nothing wrong with the old windows 7 start menu, it does the job well, so why change it? Add to it yes, but there's no real point in changing it.

In general I'd also agree with that. However, if you take that to it's limit then we'd never upgrade any OS.

Actually I can get along very well with the Windows 7 start menu (I'm using it on Windows 8.1) but I do believe that Microsoft have to make Windows 10 say "wow" for desktop users after the debacle with the Windows 8/8.1 start screen etc. A new, flexible, customisable and updated start menu for desktops is the way to do that I think. That would allow Microsoft to say to the market "we haven't just restored the desktop start menu, we've redesigned and improved it for you"........

 

[Boozad]

That would allow Microsoft to say to the market "we haven't just restored the desktop start menu, we've redesigned and improved it for you"........

I think that's what Microsoft are saying, that's half of the trouble. As far as I can see they're fixated on building a 'one size fits all' OS and will force desktop users to embrace the big, bland squares or die trying.

 

[ubuysa]

I've just heard the same rumour from two unrelated sources so it's worth repeating on here.

There is a suggestion that Microsoft may give away or massively discount Windows 10 for Windows 8 (and possibly Windows 7) license holders. I have asked whether this applies only to retail licenses or whether OEM licenses would qualify. I suspect it will be both and that Windows 10 will be more like a service pack for Windows 8.1 (which is what it looks like as of now IMO).

Because of the Windows 8 debacle, Windows 10 will be all about the UI, even though there is so much more in an OS. So any performance/reliability/connectivity improvements in Windows 10 will be overshadowed by the UI. I'm guessing Microsoft have realised that and to get users on the Windows 10 platform they know they have to make it very cheap (as with the Windows 8 early adopter licenses) or make it free (as in a service pack). How else will they get users off Windows 7?

 

[mantadog]

I've just heard the same rumour from two unrelated sources so it's worth repeating on here.

There is a suggestion that Microsoft may give away or massively discount Windows 10 for Windows 8 (and possibly Windows 7) license holders. I have asked whether this applies only to retail licenses or whether OEM licenses would qualify. I suspect it will be both and that Windows 10 will be more like a service pack for Windows 8.1 (which is what it looks like as of now IMO).

I heard this too, probably only for windows 8 users. I find it difficult to see the giveaway extended to windows 7 users (though I wouldn't complain)

 

[ubuysa]

I heard this too, probably only for windows 8 users. I find it difficult to see the giveaway extended to windows 7 users (though I wouldn't complain)

I take your point, but Microsoft will be wanting to get users off Windows 7 soon, they won't want it to have an 11-year life span like XP.

 

[Boozad]

7 already has pledged support until 2020, nobody will be jumping ship from it just yet. The rumours of Windows 10 being free probably started here. I seriously doubt it will be.