Microsoft announces Windows 10 - one platform, one store and runs across devices from IoT to data centres

What's the next version of Windows ?

That new Windows is Windows 10 .

One Product Family, One Platform, One Store.

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.

Microsoft previewed their new Windows platform to a small audience of 50 journalists. Given the absence of live streaming, here’s what YourStory has gathered from various live blogs of the event by journalists on the scene:

Major changes:

Windows 10

The new Operating System will be called Windows 10, Terry Myerson, Windows chief announced, leaving most people scratching their heads as almost all the Tech pundits had expected the more logical choice of ‘ Windows 9 ‘.

“We have a massive amount of users who know Windows 7 well, and Windows 8 users who know touch well. We need something that works for both." Terry was quoted as saying.

Windows 10 will be built for mobile and the cloud and run on the broadest type of devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

One common Universal Store

Unlike previous editions where each version of Windows and each device had different app stores, Windows 10 will have only One store and applications purchase will work on all devices, similar to the iOS App Store, or Android Play Store.

Enterprise Solution

To keep its main customer base, the Enterprises, happy, Microsoft has made Windows 10 compatible with all traditional management systems that are currently in use today. Also, Windows 10 enterprise users will be able to customize the store and the platform will be compatible for all major tools that they use.

"Windows 10 is a very novel approach of separating corporate and personal data across all devices."

Joe Belfiore demos the Windows 10

Joe Belfiore , the Corporate Vice President, Operating Systems Group at Microsoft provided a live demo to the audience and explained about some of the features of the new OS.

Return of the Start Menu

Most Windows 8 users often complained about the lack of the popular ‘Start Menu’. Taking this into account, Microsoft has re-launched Windows 10 will the Start Icon at the bottom left corner.

"We want all these Windows 7 users to have the sentiment that yesterday they were driving a first-generation Prius... and now with Windows 10 it's like a Tesla." Joe was quoted as saying.

Users can pin apps, shut down and restart their Computers through the Start Menu.

The Start Menu is customisable. Users have the option of resizing it, changing what is in it and also adding a customizable 'Me' tile.

Users also have access to the Universal search from the Start Menu, and also faster web results.

Easier Multitasking

"One of things we want to do in Windows 10 is empower novice users to get better at multitasking."

To that end, Microsoft has added a new "Task view" button on the taskbar and a new "Snap Assist" UI at the side where you can grab apps from multiple desktops.

Copy- paste through Command Prompt

Through the Command Prompt has not got a facelift and looks the same, there have been a few minor improvements. Users can now paste in directories into command prompt with Ctrl+V.

More Aggressive Beta Testing and Windows Insider Program

Microsoft plans to do a Technical Preview build for laptops and desktops and then for enterprise server editions. The aim is to perform a really thorough beta testing than ever before for the Windows 10 platform.

A technical preview will be launched tomorrow but the final version will be out only in April 2015.

As the company wants to take the Windows platform on all devices ranging from 4inch phones to displays up to 80 inches, Windows 10 will also be the next version of the mobile OS.

What are your views on Microsoft Windows 10 ? Which OS did you like better Windows 7 or Windows 8? Why ? We would love to hear your views