The Technical Preview of Windows 10 already reveals many big changes coming to the operating system, such as the new Start menu, virtual desktops, flatter style in the desktop, and Universal apps running freely in the desktop as they belong, something that wasn’t true in Windows 8 that separated both environments.
Other features are still missing, but they will be coming in later builds, like the obvious Notification Center, Storage Sense, and others. And there are those features under the hood and those that are tiny and hard to find like the new Share button in the improved File Explorer.
The new Share button is a small change, but it also signify a big deal in Windows, because it means that contracts, which were introduced in Windows 8, are now part of the desktop in Windows 10.
Contracts are a secure method that allow Universals apps to talk and share information with other apps. For example, if you want to share a web page using the modern version of Internet Explorer, you can bring the Charms bar, tap Share and a list of available apps that support contracts will appear. If you’re trying to share a link on Twitter and you have the app installed, Twitter will be available for you to pass the information to the app and share the Tweet with the link.
It’s also worth noting that Share isn’t the only type of contract available, Settings, Play To, and App Picker are also part of the functionality. And it’s up to the developer to include the support in their apps.
By Microsoft including a Share button in File Explorer means that contracts are now part of the desktop, which also means that Windows 10 will further unify the modern Windows environment with the desktop with a more seamless experience.
OK, now let’s actually talk about the new addition. If you want to share a document or folder, you can open the File Explorer, navigate to Share, and you’ll notice a new Share button.
Just click it and the Share pane, like the one you see in Windows 8, will appear. Then choose from the available list which app or to what email address you want to send the file and that’s all you have to do.
Finally this also means that contracts are no longer limited to Universal apps and future desktop applications will also be able to share information with other apps using contracts.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].