[Update: October 6, 2014]
As you’ve probably heard, on September 30th Microsoft released a preview version of the new Windows, and more details about what’s coming. The BIG NEWS was… it’s NOT going to be called Windows 9, but instead, Windows 10. Wow!
Other big news included the fact that it probably won’t be released until late next year. Bummer for all those Windows 8 folks who dearly miss the Start Menu, and want it back as soon as possible!
I’ll be downloading and installing the Windows 10 Preview over the next couple of weeks, and will certainly be back here with my impressions.
But in the meantime… here’s a good video review on Windows 10 from CNET (sorry, but you’ll have to sit through a 15 second ad)…. and below it, my original article.
[Original Article on Windows 9 – Still has a lot of update information in it…]
Although the final public release of Windows 9 (code named “Threshold“) is not expected until early 2015, a “technical preview” is expected by the end of September or early October.
Technical previews are really just “alpha” or “beta” copies of Windows that are sometimes released for software developers and other computer professionals to review in preparation for a new Windows version.
But sometimes Microsoft makes technical previews available to everyone, which is what I’m hoping for this time with Windows 9.
The great thing about technical previews is that they give a great idea about how a new version of Windows will really look and feel. And you can rest assured that when the preview is released later this month, I’ll check it out for you and post a review with all the new changes.
Of course, you would never want to download and install a technical preview on a “production” computer (i.e. there’s always a good possibility that the preview will have bugs and possibly crash), but if you have a spare machine sitting around, it can be a fun way to get yourself ready for a new Windows version.
But in the meantime, this past week, a German blog site called WinFuture (CLICK HERE to visit the blog, which is written in German) which got an “early-bird version” of the upcoming technical preview, posted some videos and screenshots of the redesigned Start Menu that Windows 9 will feature.
I thought my students might like to see them, so I’m posting two of them here. Both are under 2 minutes long and only have a music background (so no German voices).
By the way, there are rumors flying around saying that Microsoft might actually make Windows 9 a FREE upgrade for ALL Windows users, including Windows Vista and Windows 7. Of course, I’ll believe it when I actually see it, but keep your fingers crossed!
Windows 9: The New Start Menu
Windows 9: The New Multi-Desktop in Action
Hello John Lortz,
Thank you for all your efforts. Wish you held classes here in Omaha. Lincoln is a bit too far for me to go. I thank you for all you taught me at the Florence Home. I am now 81 and still on the getting better list. Charlie Stoll
Hi Charlie…
Really great to hear from you! And glad to hear things are going well! I still have “doing more webinars” in the plan mix, which at least would let me stay in touch with my Omaha students. I saw Dick B. at HyVee a short while back, and mentioned that I needed to attend an Omaha Users Group meeting in the near future. Would be good to see Dorothy and Jan, who still attend.
Hope all is well with you!!! And thanks again for taking the time to leave a note!
John Lortz