Most of you know I’m not a fan of Windows 8.x. In fact, it’s the first Windows version I skipped since Windows ME. I have a Windows 8.x computer that I bought to learn Windows 8.x and to test things on, but other than learning Windows 8.x and testing it, I just don’t like it and don’t use it very often.
I finally got a chance over the last few days to install Windows 10 (Windows Technical Preview) and play around with it. Since it’s a virtual machine I can play around with it with reckless abandon since it takes just about 30 minutes to create a new virtual machine to replace the old one. And this is what I’ve been using the last couple of days to test different software like Avast and AVG. In fact, just to prove to you we really do test software, and we based our article about AVG on actual testing you can see AVG is still installed on this virtual machine and will be until I get around to uninstalling it – not as easy as you might think. To get rid of it all you have download the AVG removal too…another thing I don’t like.
But this article is not about AVG or any other software program, it’s about Windows 10 and how much I like it. And the more I use it the more I become convinced that Windows 10 will be the best Windows since Windows XP. And I’m basing that on my experience with this early technical preview. Even at this stage of its development, it’s fast, stable and intuitive. I haven’t like a Windows preview edition since the early test versions of Windows XP. Windows 10 is so good even at this early stage, if I didn’t use my computer for business I’d use it on my main computer – it’s that good. But I warn you – don’t do it. When the preview expires you won’t have the option to upgrade it and preview editions of Windows expire. If you install Windows 10 Technical Preview on your main computer, you’re going to lose everything you haven’t backed up when the retail version is released or soon thereafter.
I’ve not been a big Microsoft fan lately – in fact, I’ve been extremely critical of them for being followers instead of leaders. You know, iPod (Zune), iPhone (Windows Phone/Kin), iPad (Surface). It seems to me over the last decade, Apple has been the innovator and Microsoft the follower, always trying to catch up.
I think Windows 10 is going to be a hit and I’m basing that on an early test version of it. Many features are still missing but the operating system is super stable, smooth, and fast – and I’m running it on a virtual machine with just 2 GB of RAM. I would never buy a computer with less that 8 GB of RAM but Windows 10 runs great on just 2 GB of RAM — I can’t imagine how well it would run with 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM.
Rather than rattle on and on, I took some screen shots and, when necessary have added a little descriptive text beneath the screen shots.
I hope you find this interesting and useful. Let’s take a short tour of Windows 10 Tech Preview.
Windows 10 build 9860 allows you to easily remove the apps you don’t want .
Some of the features coming in Window 10 show up as Pending or Deprecated. Some of these word now, or work with limitations, others don’t work at all yet.
Some additional APP controls – it’s kind of self-explanatory.
One Drive (Cloud storage) comes with Windows 10 – you get 15 GB of storage space with the option to buy more. You will also have the option to store your Documents folder on One Drive. It may be a good idea to do that since your Documents folder, by default, contains all your pictures, videos, music, and documents. Storing them in the Cloud is a good way to protect them from the capriciousness of PCs and laptops. Something to think about anyway. You could also store your Documents folder on your own hard drive and sync it with your One Drive account – that way you have the best of both world – your Documents stored on your local machine and backed-up automatically to One Drive.
Above and below: Windows 10 will show you how much bandwidth you’ve use and are using for those of you on metered connections.
Microsoft is really listening this time. My PC Settings seemed a little sluggish; when I closed it, I got the message you see above along with a feedback form to send to Microsoft.
The Windows 10 start menu is a welcome change from Windows 8.x and from having to install a 3rd-party program just to have a start menu. It’s better than the Windows 7 start menu, I think. If you don’t like the Apps showing on your start menu, it’s easy to take them off. Just right-click and choose “Unpin from start” or if you really don’t want the App, “Uninstall”.
Get rid of the tiles on your start menu, if you like, a couple different ways. You can also make them larger, smaller or turn off Live tiles.
Windows 10 shows notifications – and allows you to manage them, turn them off or delete the ones you don’t want.
Took my blue theme and made it purple…just for you!
Right-click the start button and you see the menu above.
Change your Lock Screen picture, add your own picture or turn your Lock Screen into a slide show.
Lock Screen Personalization is easy…
Rather than going to Control Panel, Programs, Uninstall a Program, you can just right-click any program on the Start menu and choose Uninstall. It sure makes uninstalling programs more convenient.
Windows 10 – the best Windows since Windows XP – it just might be but right now it’s too early to tell:
Wow, thank you for this! I bought a new laptop just over a year ago that came with Windows 8. I don’t “hate” it but I sure do miss XP and all that it had that 8 doesn’t have. This tells me for sure that when it’s available I will most likely upgrade to 10. I trust NOBODY like I trust you guys!
Oh and AVG? That’s so last decade. Emsisoft is where it’s at! 😉
Does an email program come with Windows 10?
Will Windows 10 have it’s own email program? Sounds like I may need to upgrade.
As of now it has the same silly mail app that Windows 8 has. Would be a good time to tell Microsoft that you need more than a mail app…you need a full-blown email program like Outlook Express or Windows Mail. But remember, this is a very early version of Windows 10 – some of the features are listed but not working yet. I don’t see an email program even listed, but the Mail App is there and works – kinda.
Thank you for the great review (so far) on Win10. Sounds like it just might make the grade, however, have you been able to explore it to the point where you can advise
whether or not you would be able to fix us up with WinMail, or is it a tad to early to tell?
Keeping everything crossed that all works out well..
Magnificent advice as always folks!
Love the desktop picture of the Galleon 🙂
Thanks for the preview, looks like I may be upgrading to 10 when it’d released
Will Windows 10 have it’s own email program? Sounds like I may need to upgrade.
So far (in its early incarnation) it has the same, nearly useless(IMHO) mail app that Windows 8x has.
Will I be able to use my windows mail I have on my Vista???
Probably not. I don’t know for sure but Windows Mail has stopped working well on Windows 8 and Windows 7 – so more than likely we won’t be installing Windows Mail on Windows 10 either.
I have a Windows 7 Notebook and I also have a Windows 8 Program disk which I purchased shortly after purchasing my notebook and have not yet installed.
What I am wondering is if I do not install it now will I qualify for a free or reduced price download of Windows 10 when it is released later?
Thanks for the review. It sounds good, so far. Once it’s released, I’ll check it out. Of course, I’ll wait for your ‘final’ review of that. Also…for others that might be interested: how do we go about ‘telling’ Microsoft we want a good email app?
Good, useful commentary! I hate Win8 and Win8.1 with a passion. I’ve had to learn it (at least all the basics) so I can help our local Senior Citizens with it, but it’s not an OS I would willingly choose or use. I do hope that Win10 lives up to expectations. I’ll keep a watch on how the testing progresses 🙂 Many thanks for this article.
As usual, thanks for the report! Looks as if sanity is returning to Microsoft! Hope it turns out to be a winner, and serves us as well as XP did.
I installed this as soon as it got released.( I have a computer that I use for testing programs & experimenting with etc) I am VERY impressed with 10. It still hasn’t crashed or had any serious problems. Hoping to have time to try & install a lot of different types of programs.
I’m happy to learn how wonderful Windows10 seems to be and what its potential is. I’ve only run Windows98 and then XP over these last 15 years and hung on to both for dear life and until the bitter end! Since mid June 1014, I have been running Windows 8.1 and as far as I am concerned Windows should give those folks who have had to suffer through this abominable and one of their great, if not THE greatest folly, a FREEBIE on Windows 10 and replace the O/S for all 8.X users…GRATIS or for a token $1.00 per user! They will have lost nothing by offering this up as a gesture of abject apology for the abomination that is Windows 8.X.
Speaking of sturdy, reliable and wonderful email products, I still miss Outlook Express very, very much. Speaking from purely a user’s point of view OE was a lean and functional piece of programming that didn’t drive you up a wall, ever. The few things necessary to email, for most users, was always easily accomplished in OE. It was a “logical” bit of genius and Outlook Express remains my favorite email program of all time. I’ve used Hotmail, GMail, Yahoo and now, Outlook and OE beats them all…soundly. For my money, Microsoft Outlook is nothing like Outlook Express and is just another bloated waste of time and space. The options alone would drive a sane person to the brink! I still use Yahoo as my alternative or back-up email.
I look forward to Windows 10 and, depending on cost, hope I can make the change when it comes!
I wont be happy or using any more Windows until they bring back Outlook Express or Windows Mail.
I’m running Win.7 right now and like it very much. I also have my Windows Mail resuscitated and love it.
I just don’t understand why Microsoft doesn’t listen to the people more.
My next move will probably be to an i Mac.
Apple’s email program isn’t very good either and it’s mail app is as lacking as mail app in Windows 8. If all you want to do is send text or pictures in email just about any email program will work well. If you want to use stationery Apple’s mail program and mail app aren’t going to do it for you either.
Thanks for the tour on Windows 10! Looks like I know what my next operating system will be and I am excited about it! I am skipping any ‘8’ there is out there. I am glad to learn Microsoft seemed to get their ‘ears on.’ Mac was next on my list if they didn’t come up with something better than they have been. Loved XP when I had it. Looks like I will love Windows 10, too!
Thanks for the great review of Windows 10. What is the best way for us to go about advising Microsoft we want Outlook Express back or something very similar to it? I’m clinging to my old XP and pray it holds out till Windows 10 is for sale.
I don’t know of any way to let Microsoft know that is going to do any good. If you’re trying Windows 10 (and I really don’t recommend it unless you set up a Virtual Machine) you can make suggestions but there is nowhere that shows exactly where those messages go. If we do find an email address where you can write where your email will be read by a human, we’ll post it. There is nothing we would like to see more than Outlook Express or Windows Mail make a cameo in Windows 10. I’m not holding my breath though 🙁
What kind of computer specs do you have to have to run Win 10 on ??
Same as Windows 7.
From what I see from your review above, Windows 10 doesn’t appear to function too much differently then Windows 8.1 with the update. The only major difference seems to be the return of the start menu. You are able to do all the things you show in Windows 8.1. I have been following infoave since 2000 and appreciate how you help computer users. I will have to wait to see additional reviews before I make a judgement.
Thanks for the great preview of what we can expect thus far. How will the media player capability be handled? Thanks again TC /EB
It’s too early to tell. i don’t think Microsoft will make the same mistakes twice. I’m guessing Windows Media Player will be included with Windows 10 – and even it it’s not it is no big deal – there are better free media players you can install.