The Windows 10 Technical Preview includes a whole range of new features, such as Cortana the virtual assistant, new task switcher, and virtual desktops.
It is also designed with the users' need to multitask in mind. How? By allowing menu apps to be dragged around, pinned directly to the menu, snapped to half of the display, and resized and customized at the user's whim. Plus, users can now paste into the command prompt using the CTRL + V command.
The colourful tiles and menus from the Windows 8 served their uses by providing information and notification, but this setting also proved to be a hassle particularly for desktop users. Microsoft seemed to forget that using desktop computers - and Windows in general - involves using a keyboard, a mouse, and several displays filled with windows and apps. That's why the Window 8 full screen of apps did not work as it caters more to touchscreen devices.
Now with Windows 10 desktop users need not worry about that as Microsoft eyes for a single, unified experience across all devices it offers.
However, Microsoft cautioned that certain bugs can be encountered as it is a very early version of Windows 10. As they mentioned in their blog: "This preview is still very much under development and you're going to see some rough edges." One of them is the virtual assistant Cortana since some of its features have not yet been updated.
The Windows 10 Technical Preview is limited to certain devices only. For Windows phones, it is available for six Lumia phones: the 630, 638, 635, 730, 636 and 830. For desktop and tablets, only those with x86 processors can install it in their devices. The Windows version can be found in the folder Properties under File Explorer.
Creating a recovery file before installing the Windows 10 is crucial. Or better yet, using a virtual machine or dual-booting the OS before overwriting the current OS will help make easier and hassle-free transition.
The Windows 10 Preview can be downloaded via Windows Insider program. It is also where user feedback and private forums for discussing bugs and trouble spots can be made.
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