Anyone who has used Windows 8 as their PC operating system (by choice or not) should be familiar with the multitude of issues that came with it since its release in 2012, especially regarding the radically altered user interface (UI). Perhaps most notable of the problems with Windows 8 was the lack of the iconic start button and menu that has been part of every Windows UI since Windows 95. Instead, users were encouraged to use the tile screen that welcomed them when booting up instead of the usual desktop. All in all, it seemed like developers of Windows 8 were trying really hard to produce a package that would be transferable to both PC’s and mobile devices such as Microsoft’s new Surface tablets and Windows phones. The problem with Windows 8 is that it seemed to focus exclusively on mobile usability to many long-time Windows users. The tile start screen worked fine for mobile devices and laptops with touch-screen functions, but for those with regular laptops and desktop PCs, it seemed like way too much of a hassle and unnecessary. The user-friendliness that was considered a huge improvement with Windows 7 significantly diminished in this new version of Windows. Improvements were made with 8.1 last year, such as the option to boot straight to the desktop and the implementation of a start button (which still led to the start screen tiles as opposed to a start menu). An additional issue that persisted in both versions was the push for always-online services, such as the prompts to create a Microsoft account and use the Windows apps that come with the software package. Despite its UI flaws, Windows 8 improved significantly on memory usage, as well as an improved security system. Sources report that, despite being the newest operating system, Windows 8/8.1 is currently only being run on 13.4% of desktop PCs. In comparison, more than half (51.4%) are running Windows 7 and almost a quarter (23.9%) are still running Windows XP.
History lesson aside, and moving to the point of this article, the new Windows 10 operating system has recently been announced, which, according to Microsoft, will be the solution to everything that went wrong with Windows 8, and much more. Windows 10 will run on a multitude of devices. The Windows 10 interface on one’s phone will be the same one on their PC, tablet, or TV. Additionally, a multiple desktops feature is to be included. Windows 10 aims to be ideal for all users of a variety of devices, with a UI that adapts and works in different screen sizes. Windows 10 will also mark the return of the start menu! The new Windows 10 start menu combines elements of the classic menu with the Windows 8 tile screen. Essentially the start menu is going to be like the start menu of Windows 7 but with Windows 8-esque tiles on side as an addition, which will be customisable like in Windows 8. Essentially, Windows 10 is intended to be what Windows 8 was supposed to be.
So why is the new operating system after Windows 8 being called Windows 10 instead of a logical Windows 9? Well, Microsoft most certainly could not call it Windows One since there was already a Windows 1.0 from the 80s. The choice of name was justified as a statement that Windows 10 is not simply an increment or step forward from Windows 8, but a brand new start for Windows operating systems. Microsoft has been aiming to build a more progressive image in recent years, and Windows 10 is one example of such a movement. Another quite interesting possibility for the name comes from a snippet of code taken from third party software, which essentially takes anything of the form ‘Windows 9’ and assumes a referral to Windows 95 or 98. Basically, developers were still concerned with backwards compatibility with 16+ year old operating systems. Some businesses do in fact still do use Windows 95/98, so perhaps the naming decision was quite logical after all.
Currently, Windows 10 is only available to a select few who have opted into the Windows Insider Program to test early builds of the operating system as a ‘technical preview’. This is a major announcement for Microsoft under the leadership of the new CEO, Satya Nadella, who replaced Steve Ballmer in February. Nadella has previously expressed his intention to have an operating system that will run seamlessly on all devices. With both old and new competitors raising the bar, Windows 10 is a much needed product for Microsoft to stay in the game. Aside from the well-known operating systems such as Apple’s Mac OS and Google’s Android, companies such as Valve are now developing their own SteamOS made especially for PC gaming. Google’s cloud based Chrome OS is another newcomer to watch out for in the future as well. The expected release of Windows 10 is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2015, a time that PC users everywhere will be looking forward to. Windows 10 will be big, and unlike the release of Windows 8 in 2012, Microsoft can’t afford another disappointment this time around.
Leave a Reply