Windows 10 Preview Build 10130: Small Improvements, More Polish
Microsoft released a new version of Windows 10 Preview to Windows Insiders who've opted in to the Fast ring of updates. Build 10130 is the first release since the Windows team switched focus from big feature changes to slight improvements and polish.
Taking feedback to heart, Microsoft spent some time refining the look of certain elements within its new Windows 10 OS. The icons in particular have received a large volume of negative comments; it seems people found they lacked richness, and noted they felt too flat.
The whole set of system icons, including application icons, has been reiterated many different times leading up to the current design. Microsoft said the new style is more consistent between desktop and mobile versions of Windows. The icons will continue to be evolved until release, as the company searches for ways to achieve better consistency and functionality.
Speaking of consistency, this version of Preview has updated Jump Lists on the task bar. Now the appearance is in line with the rest of the Start button and Taskbar.
While running Windows 8.1 in Tablet mode, there's a function to pull up app commands by swiping the top edge of the screen. Following user feedback from Windows Insiders, this feature is back and will work with any app that has commands.
Speaking of edges, Microsoft Edge, the new browser in Windows 10, is still called "Project Spartan" in this build. It has received some improvements, though; insiders now have the ability to pin any panes they wish within the window, allowing for a new level of customization.
The reading pane now supports different resolutions and layouts. Surface Pro 3 tablets can now view it in portrait mode. There are now more advanced options for printing from the browser, and the badges on the Address bar have been fine tuned.
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In terms of functionality, streaming video from sites such as YouTube and Hulu will now play in full screen in the current build of Spartan. The Movies & TV app used to have this problem, but Microsoft has corrected that, as well.
The ability to print from the browser isn't the only change concerning printers. If you've been creating PDF files with "Print as a PDF," you'll need to remove that device and install the new one. The virtual PDF printer has been renamed to "Microsoft Print to PDF," and the old one will not be working anymore.
In a recent build, the Windows team introduced two different settings for Virtual Desktops: Global Taskbar, which shows windows across all desktops, and filtered Taskbar, which only shows the windows from the current desktop.
In the month the feature has been out, thousands of people have rated the experience, and a clear winner has emerged. Beating out the other in almost every metric, filtered task bar has been shown to be the preferred option, and will therefore remain as the default selection. Global Taskbar is still available if desired; it's not being removed. You can make the switch in the Settings app > System > Multitasking > Virtual Desktops.
The new release is not without its issues; it is, after all, still a preview build. Known issues in 10130 include a problem with the mail app. A memory error can cause mail not to sync when in the background. Microsoft is planning a patch, which will be released through Windows update.
Flyouts from the task bar, which include Start, Cortana, Network, Battery, and Action Center will sometimes fail to, well, flyout. After retrying several times, it should work. This will also be updated with a patch.
There is also a known issue that causes Wi-Fi connectivity to fail. There is no word on when this will be repaired, but a reboot will fix it in the short term.
Due to a bug impacting upgrades from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, Preview Build 10122 won't be pushed out to the Slow ring at all. New Insiders start off installing with the latest Slow ring release, which is impossible with 10122. Providing things go well with the current Fast ring release, Build 10130 will be the next Slow ring update. ISO's will also be released at that time.
As work continues leading up to the summer release of Windows 10, Microsoft is inviting Windows Insiders to leave feedback. If you do use it, you'll notice a "Received" notice indicating that the Windows team has seen your note.
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Kevin Carbotte is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware who primarily covers VR and AR hardware. He has been writing for us for more than four years.
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3ogdy Unfortunately, that's it for Windows 10. No more serious improvements - they already said they would only polish it some more but it will remain the same old Windows 8 on the surface. Let's hope they don't screw up even more, after screwing us up with their new licensing terms. We'll pirate Windows copies and licenses just like we've been doing until now, so we don't really need a free upgrade to Windows 10 anyway.Reply -
TechyInAZ I've personally installed this patch on both my VM and my laptop, and I must agree with the bug problems. One HUGE problem for me is that sometimes when I press the start button, the entire start menu never pops up anymore. I have to sign out then log in for it to work again.Reply
However, I LOVE the new weather app and the other apps that Microsoft has polished up. I love the new layout and look, it's a perfect hybrid between mouse and touch. -
PaulBags ReplyUnfortunately, that's it for Windows 10. No more serious improvements - they already said they would only polish it some more but it will remain the same old Windows 8 on the surface. Let's hope they don't screw up even more, after screwing us up with their new licensing terms. We'll pirate Windows copies and licenses just like we've been doing until now, so we don't really need a free upgrade to Windows 10 anyway.
What new licensing terms, where are they published? And has someone figured out UEFI pirating, because as far as I'm aware even 7 doesn't have that still after all these years & since 10 forces uefi... -
dstarr3 I have to wonder how many bugs are deliberately left in just to prevent people from using the preview builds as their daily OS for free.Reply -
Martell1977 Since MS went with "tiles", a nice option would be to allow people to pick any image file on the computer and make it the tile, no additional software or tweaks needed. You select the image and set it as default for the tile, even add a place in the control panel to further customize the pic for use. I've been doing this for customizing Windows 7, but I had to install a separate program to make icon files for it to work.Reply -
turkey3_scratch I like these updates, but the one issue that still persists are the duplicate programs. There is a settings app and the control panel, and Microsoft needs to only have one setting app for Windows (2 gets confusing).Reply -
blazorthon ReplyI like these updates, but the one issue that still persists are the duplicate programs. There is a settings app and the control panel, and Microsoft needs to only have one setting app for Windows (2 gets confusing).
Unless I'm just not seeing them, there are still features in the control panel of Windows 10 that aren't present in the metro-style Settings, such as most of the advanced power plan settings.
I agree that there should only be one of these programs. Having two repositories containing (hopefully all of) the same things is wasteful.
Right now, my biggest complaint with Windows 10 is probably the lack of proper control over Windows Update. I couldn't figure out how to stop it from restarting without my permission, let alone let me choose what updates to install and when to install them. Right now, I've only managed to force it to let me stop the automatic restart using a command line workaround. -
3ogdy Reply15964967 said:I like these updates, but the one issue that still persists are the duplicate programs. There is a settings app and the control panel, and Microsoft needs to only have one setting app for Windows (2 gets confusing).
Unless I'm just not seeing them, there are still features in the control panel of Windows 10 that aren't present in the metro-style Settings, such as most of the advanced power plan settings.
I agree that there should only be one of these programs. Having two repositories containing (hopefully all of) the same things is wasteful.
Right now, my biggest complaint with Windows 10 is probably the lack of proper control over Windows Update. I couldn't figure out how to stop it from restarting without my permission, let alone let me choose what updates to install and when to install them. Right now, I've only managed to force it to let me stop the automatic restart using a command line workaround.
That's just part of the mess. They split settings between the two Control Panels. I suppose it was too hard for them to put everything in one place and then adapt that to Metro in a way more similar to how shortcuts work but maintaining the Metro GUI.