When Microsoft forked their build numbers into 100xx and 101xx lines, we predicted that they were preparing a version to release at BUILD 2015. We also predicted that it would be heavily tested and pushed to both Slow and Fast simultaneously, which would give a good entry point for developers and probably even enterprise evaluators. I was surprised when Microsoft released 10061 last week, and then updated it just two days ago (why???) with four patches, but we ended up being correct in the end.
Microsoft has just released Windows 10 build 10074 to both Fast and Slow users. Its comes with a very small list of known issues, and they are much less severe than they were in previous releases. The first issue tells developers that Developer Mode needs to be enabled in Group Policy, rather than the place in Settings that it will eventually be. The next two issues are more severe: some games cannot be played in full screen and the People app is still broken. I am not sure how wide-spread “some games” is, but they plan to patch it via Windows Update “as soon as possible”.
One major fix is that now, when certain applications that play audio are minimized, they will continue to play audio. This bug made many media players, such as a few SoundCloud apps in the Windows Store as well as Microsoft's own Music app, pretty much useless. Until 10074, you would basically need to launch them, then cover them up with other windows if you wanted more screen real-estate.
If you were a fan of Aero from Windows 7, then you will like the blurred transparency effect of Start and the taskbar. Personally, while I think it looks nice, I was never really attached to that aspect of the Windows UI. Honestly, it used to drive me nuts when it kicked me out of games to complain about how it cannot properly manage 2GB of video memory, despite running perfectly fine if I select ignore. Hopefully that will not come back with it. But, if it is here without causing any problems, it does look pretty. Also, the Start Menu can now be manually resized to better arrange your apps. It also looks like the semi-horizontal layout is a great compromise between the Start Menu and the Start Screen for desktops.
So, as we expected, this build is what happens when Microsoft picks a target and mostly cleans up all of their relevant branches into a solid release. It is still a bit buggy here and there, but it feels better than 10049, which was itself better than 10041. That said, I also upgraded my NVIDIA drivers from 349.90 to 352.63; that could have something to do with it (although I am using the same Intel drivers).
There has not been too many announcements regarding features that are not present in 10074 though. It makes you wonder, at least a bit, how much will be added to the 101xx path until the OS finally launches.
@Scott M.
Your third (?)
@Scott M.
Your third (?) paragraph has broken / reversed logic.
[copied/pasted]
“One major fix is that now, when certain applications that play audio are minimized, they will continue to play audio. This made many media players, such as a few SoundCloud apps in the Windows Store as well as Microsoft’s own Music app, pretty much useless. You would basically need to launch them, then cover them up with other windows if you wanted more screen real-estate.”
First you speak of the fix. In the second sentence, you use the pronoun “this”, and I believe this makes the opposite statement to what you intended. Here’s my suggested rewrite, though I expect you can do even better than I.
“One major fix is that now, when certain applications that play audio are minimized, they will continue to play audio. [Reworded]Before that fix,[/Reworded] many media players, such as a few SoundCloud apps in the Windows Store as well as Microsoft’s own Music app, [Reworded]were rendered[/Reworded] pretty much useless. You [strike]would[/strike] basically [Reworded]needed[/Reworded] to launch them, then cover them up with other windows if you wanted more screen real-estate.”
Otherwise, thanks for the informative article.
Thanks for the catch. I meant
Thanks for the catch. I meant "This bug made many media players". Fixing it.
Thx for the info
Thx for the info
I find I have to google for
I find I have to google for answers, rather than just ‘navigate’ to them. Eg automatic log in (it’s called ‘sign’ in, now, keyboard language (I have a US keyboard, but wanted UK English as the interface language). I’m sure I’ll get used to it – maybe I’m being too impatient. It’s probably more similar to Windows 8, which I’ve never used.
Yosemite has very little contrast between different windows, and Win10 has even less. I could use a little more chrome around windows. It’s not a problem when running apps full-screen, I suppose.
After the flat, grey Mac Finder, the Windows Explorer seems quite garish and cartoony. Reminds me of early KDE desktops. Works fine, tho.
The Start Menu (probably called something else now) disappears as I hunt for programmes, and won’t reveal the full name of items within it, even when hovering. eg “Command and Conquer Generals Zer…” could be the game, or the world builder. Don’t judge me.
Megaglest won’t run. The music starts, but nothing appears on-screen. The few Steam games I’ve tried are all great, as is Minecraft on Java8.
I’m delighted when things work, rather than just expecting them to work. It’s similar to Ubuntu in this regard – ‘yay – it didn’t blow up!’ When something doesn’t work in WIndows 7 or Yosemite, I assume it’s *my* fault.
The default browser seems fine – no temptation to install Opera, yet (which would be my usual approach).
Install from USB took about 15 minutes (once I’d googled the UEFI settings for USB boot disk management – turn off SafeBoot and some disk management thing).
Preview expires in October. All in all, I like it and I’ll be keeping it on, I think.
These MegaGlest issues should
These MegaGlest issues should be fixed by now. In case there are still any issues, please report them on MegaGlest’s forums or the GitHub project – thanks!
I’ve been trying Windows 10
I’ve been trying Windows 10 off and on since they started the tech previews. I loved when the previews of Windows 7, but 10 loses my interest pretty quick. Buggy, and still feels like they are pushing these weak apps as desktop applications (spartan). Time is running short, but this last build 10047 I think, kept freezing for no reason for me.
I’ve been running Windows 8/8.1 because I don’t like to be running the old rusty stuff. Just not getting a good vibe with Windows 10, how they want you to feel.. “best windows ever”
There is a bug with Chrome for me on a dual monitor setup, max window size, bits of the elements are pushed onto the second screen. Been there since first tech preview, still there.
Still hideous. Look at all
Still hideous. Look at all that space taken up to convey what half a dozen or so lines in a menu could, much simpler.
So far so good on the latest
So far so good on the latest build (nothing's broken yet lol) except that when the PC goes to sleep, once I wake it up I am presented with an all black screen and a mouse cursor. It will only go away by ctrl+alt+delete, otherwise it will not wake up by hitting keys or moving the mouse like usual. Oh well, nothing major. I tend to prefer the new transparent taskbar and start menu.
Couple of issues with this
Couple of issues with this build, still getting the “Verify credentials” bug from previous builds, reminds me of Zelda’s Navi ‘Hey Listen!’.
But a new bug/feature, the search bar has been removed from from Start Menu. I have it set to “Search on Taskbar: Disabled”, but now that means you don’t get any search bar in the Start Menu.
Honestly though the search in w10 is just clunky. At the very least you should have an option to only “Search Windows”, not “Search the web and Windows”, with the obnoxious Bing image of the day. Eh, no thanks Microsoft, just let me search what’s on my HDDs…
Build 10074 is utter rubbish.
Build 10074 is utter rubbish. Start menu unuseable, single click not working, color scheme rubbish.
Windows 10 is going to give all platforms the same experience… misery!