Microsoft Updates Start Area, Default Apps Settings In Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10122
Even with the release of Windows 10 on the horizon, Microsoft is still working on improving the new version of the operating system before release. The latest entry in the Windows blog revealed the upcoming improvements and changes in the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10122 for Fast Ring users.
The Start area received new upgrades, specifically with the context menu when you right-click in the Start area. Also, the option to switch between the Start screen and Start menu is now located in the Personalization settings tab under Start settings.
The change was made not only to remove confusion for users who thought the option activated Tablet mode, but also because it was unnecessary to leave it displayed to users because they would have already selected which Start method they prefer (or chosen the default setting) and would not need to change it to the other one unless they really needed it.
As for Continuum, the Start area now has larger tiles to make use of all the available space. The pane on the left side of the screen is now collapsed when you switch to Tablet mode. Clicking the icon on the top left corner of the screen brings the pane back.
The biggest issue with this version of the Windows 10 so far concerns the new browser, known as Microsoft Edge. There are frequent crashes when using Edge for computers using an AMD GPU. Users can avoid it altogether by going to Settings, Update and Security, Windows Update and then Advanced to change your preview build to the Slow ring until Microsoft fixes the problem.
On the bright side, Edge now has the New Tab page shown at Microsoft's Build conference. Along with a new layout, it includes top sites and content from MSN, which can be customized through the Settings option. Other updates include InPrivate mode, viewing history, an animated icon for Reading View, being able to pin certain areas to Start, and indication on open tabs to show which pages are playing sounds. The audio indicator is most notably seen in Google Chrome, and Microsoft seems to have taken from the search engine giant.
The last bit of major improvements comes in the form of default apps. In the past, Classic Windows programs asked you to change your default settings so you can have your favorite program open for a specific file. However, this type of prompt didn't work for Windows Store apps, with only a small notification popping up, and then you had to click on it to change the default settings.
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In Windows 10, all you have to do is select from the list of apps from the settings menu and tell the system which one you want to have open for a specific file. Neither the Classic Windows programs nor Windows Store apps will ask you for a default setting, which should minimize unwanted prompts. Additionally, those who update from Windows 7 or 8.1 will be able to upgrade their default settings to the universal apps during setup on Windows 10.
With summer fast approaching, this build could be one of the final stages of development before the launch of Windows 10. The big updates seem to be more about polishing features for easier use. There are still a few issues with the build, especially with Edge, but it could be easily fixed in the near future.
Follow Rexly Peñaflorida II @Heirdeux. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.
Rexly Peñaflorida is a freelance writer for Tom's Hardware covering topics such as computer hardware, video games, and general technology news.
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Martell1977 I plan to try it out when released with the free upgrade on my laptop. With the AMD GPU issue, I have a feeling my desktop wont do well with it being Crossfire 6870's. Plus, I want to see what changes I can make and tinker with it to fit my taste. Still not a fan of blocks on my screen (I'm bit OCD about icons on my screen and keep it to a minimum). But I will give it a shot, assuming it will run on a laptop from 2008 with a C2D T9500 with nVidia 8600m GT.Reply -
littleleo I hear they are going to charge for the updates for Windows 10. I would expect the security updates should still be free since it's fixing a hole in their design. Usually I wait until service pack 1 before I buy a new O/S, but I'm not sure if that will be possible for Windows 10.Reply -
Christopher1 ReplyI plan to try it out when released with the free upgrade on my laptop. With the AMD GPU issue, I have a feeling my desktop wont do well with it being Crossfire 6870's. Plus, I want to see what changes I can make and tinker with it to fit my taste. Still not a fan of blocks on my screen (I'm bit OCD about icons on my screen and keep it to a minimum). But I will give it a shot, assuming it will run on a laptop from 2008 with a C2D T9500 with nVidia 8600m GT.
Believe me, they will fix the issue with ATi/AMD before release, they would be insane not to. -
Martell1977 Reply15897857 said:I hear they are going to charge for the updates for Windows 10. I would expect the security updates should still be free since it's fixing a hole in their design. Usually I wait until service pack 1 before I buy a new O/S, but I'm not sure if that will be possible for Windows 10.
If I upgrade and MS tries to tack on fees for things that are currently free or a subscription, I will be immediately going back to Windows 7. I understand they are giving the upgrades for free, but they should announce any and all fees before people start changing over. I like the current model, buy a license and you're good until you want, need or have to upgrade. It's not the most profitable model for MS but that's not my concern.
@Christopher1 - I know they will fix it as best they can but I have a feeling that Crossfire will be unstable for some time after the single card issue is fixed. It's probably a driver issue and Crossfire fixes tend to lag behind quite a bit. -
f-14 Reply
you mean like how they had drivers for vista, and 8 ?I plan to try it out when released with the free upgrade on my laptop. With the AMD GPU issue, I have a feeling my desktop wont do well with it being Crossfire 6870's. Plus, I want to see what changes I can make and tinker with it to fit my taste. Still not a fan of blocks on my screen (I'm bit OCD about icons on my screen and keep it to a minimum). But I will give it a shot, assuming it will run on a laptop from 2008 with a C2D T9500 with nVidia 8600m GT.
Believe me, they will fix the issue with ATi/AMD before release, they would be insane not to.
microsoft doesn't fix anything until it starts hurting sales.
so who is making drivers made for windows 10? obviously not AMD -
marraco Windows 10 is a hell.Reply
You cannot uninstall any of that addware (aps). If you right click on them, and choose "uninstall", only the icon is removed. All the space on disk keeps occupied. No file is deleted, and they take like a gigabyte of your expensive SSD.
Worse, later you find some of those "apps" running, even after you "uninstalled" them.
That behavior is unacceptable, and there should be only one way to uninstall software. There is no point in making different installation/uninstallation procedures.
¿How do you remove software that is not on the classic Control Panel install window, and you cannot find any icon to "uninstall"? There is no way, suck it.
Some "apps" can only be partially removed with complicated, undocumented, command line hocus pocus, and most simply cannot be removed.
Windows, 10, following the bad design of Windows 8, makes everything harder to use. Every thing is now as complicated as in Linux. Just try to change the default search engine in Spartan. There is no way but a manual registry edition.
Best solution: keep using Firefox and Chrome. -
blackbit75 Ok, Windows 10 is interesting, but what about Ubuntu 8.0 'Jessie', There could be a review and changes in the OS.Reply
Today Linux is gaining market and is perfect and free, for interneting and usual office apps, that comes preinstalled.
Cheers.