It’s a humbling and amazing thing to work on Windows, which is used
by over 1.5 billion people in every country of the world. From kids
playing with computers for the first time, to writers and journalists,
to engineers, to gamers, to CEOs, at some point Windows has empowered
all of us.
In the Windows team, we’re proud of this – but we also know that the
world today is very different from the one in which Windows grew up.
Today, devices outnumber people. Connectivity is like oxygen. The
tension between the desire for agility versus stability poses a huge
challenge for IT Pros. Experiences – no matter what device you’re on –
just need to work. The only thing that hasn’t really changed is the
situation for developers – still too much to do, and not enough time.
One way to look at it is that Windows is at a threshold :-).
It’s time for a new Windows. This new Windows must be built from the
ground-up for a mobile-first, cloud-first world. This new Windows must
help our customers be productive in both their digital work and their
digital life. This new Windows must empower people and organizations to
do great things.
That new Windows is Windows 10.
Windows 10 represents the first step of a whole new generation of
Windows. Windows 10 unlocks new experiences for customers to work, play
and connect. Windows 10 embodies what our customers (both consumers and
enterprises) demand and what we will deliver.
Windows 10 will run across an incredibly broad set of devices – from
the Internet of Things, to servers in enterprise datacenters worldwide.
Some of these devices have 4 inch screens – some have 80 inch screens –
and some don’t have screens at all. Some of these devices you hold in
your hand, others are ten feet away. Some of these devices you primarily
use touch/pen, others mouse/keyboard, others controller/gesture – and
some devices can switch between input types.
We’re not talking about one UI to rule them all – we’re talking about
one product family, with a tailored experience for each device.
And across this breadth of devices, we are delivering one application
platform for our developers. Whether you’re building a game or a line
of business application, there will be one way to write a universal app
that targets the entire family. There will be one store, one way for
applications to be discovered, purchased and updated across all of these
devices.
Windows 10 will deliver the right experience on the right device at
the right time. It will be our most comprehensive platform ever.
Now, during the design of a new Windows, we spend time with many
diverse customers. One of the most important of these customers is the
enterprise. In the past year I’ve talked to dozens of enterprise
customers and listened to how they are using and deploying Windows, and
what they need from us.
These customers are betting their businesses on Windows – in the
first half of this year, shipments of enterprise PCs grew 14%. In that
same time period, shipments of Windows enterprise tablets grew 33%.
These customers have a need to evaluate Windows early, so we are
starting our dialog with them today. For more details about what Windows
10 will have for these customers, check out this blog post on the Windows for your Business blog.
Tomorrow, we are excited to announce the Windows Insider Program,
where PC experts and IT Pros can get access to a technical preview of
Windows 10 for desktops and laptops. Soon after, we’ll also be releasing
technical previews of Windows Server and our management tools.
With the Insider program, we’re inviting our most enthusiastic
Windows customers to shape Windows 10 with us. We know they’re a vocal
bunch – and we’re looking forward to hearing from them.
The Windows Insider Program is intended for PC experts and IT pros
who are comfortable using pre-release software with variable quality.
Insiders will receive a steady stream of early builds from us with the
latest features we’re experimenting with.
This week’s announcements are just the first chapter of our
conversation with customers about Windows 10 – with a focus on
enterprise features (because enterprises have a need to evaluate
software early on) and the desktop/laptop experiences. Early in 2015
we’ll introduce the consumer chapter and talk much more about other
device types and more consumer features. We’ll then continue the
conversation with the developer chapter at our Build conference, and
later in the year we’ll release Windows 10 and look forward to some
amazing new devices.
Today was an important beginning for our customers and partners as we
embark on the Windows 10 journey together. I encourage everyone reading
this to sign up for the Windows Insider Program,
download the technical preview, and let us know what you think. Check
here tomorrow for specific details – but in the meantime, here’s a peek
at some of the new features you can test drive once you become an
Insider:
Start menu: The familiar Start menu is back, but it brings with it a new customizable space for your favorite apps and Live Tiles.
Everything runs in a window: Apps from the Windows
Store now open in the same format that desktop apps do and can be
resized and moved around, and have title bars at the top allowing for
maximize, minimize, and close with a click.
Snap enhancements: You can now have four apps
snapped on the same screen with a new quadrant layout. Windows will also
show other apps and programs running for additional snapping and even
make smart suggestions on filling available screen space with other open
apps.
New task view button: There’s a new task-view button
on the taskbar for quick switching between open files and quick access
to any desktops you create.
Multiple desktops: Create desktops for different
purposes and projects and switch between these desktops easily and pick
up where you left off on each desktop.
Find files faster: File Explorer now displays your recent files and frequently visited folders making for finding files you’ve worked on is easier.
Watch the below video from Joe Belfiore to see many of these features
in action. Immediately you’ll see how Windows 10 carries forward a
sense of familiarity, while providing new capabilities to help you way
the work you want to and be more productive.
Today was an important beginning for our customers and partners as we
embark on the Windows 10 journey together. While it’s early and things
are bound to change as we collaborate together in the months ahead, this
should give a strong sense of where we’re going not only with the
desktop experience, but in general overall. We’re looking forward to
getting your feedback on Windows 10, as well as continuing this
conversation in the weeks and months to come.
Follow these steps to download Technical Preview:
- Sign up for the Windows Insider Program.
- Read the system requirements.
- Click one of the Download links on this page to download a special file—it's called an ISO file—that you can use to install the preview.
- When the download is complete, transfer the ISO file to installation media such as a DVD or USB flash drive.
- Double-tap or double-click setup.exe from the installation media, and then follow the steps.
Product key: NKJFK-GPHP7-G8C3J-P6JXR-HQRJR
