Windows 10 starts to look good as Threshold builds 9834 leaks, giving us an early sneak peek of what the future holds for the next version of the operating system.
Early today, a German website published several screenshots from an early release of Windows 10 that Microsoft made available to top partners. And the images are very real.
The operating system is labeled as “Windows Technical Preview” version 6.4 (9834.0.140908-0936.FBL_PARTNER_EEAP), which means that this build was compiled on September 8, 2014.
The screenshots also show and confirm several of the rumors that have been circulating for a while. For example, we can now see that the new Start menu and Metro-style apps now float on the desktop. Also, you can notice that Microsoft has chosen to go with very thin borders around the edges of apps and throughout the operating system.
In the leak images for build 9834, the Start menu seems to be fully integrated, and it looks like a combination of the old Windows 7 Start menu with the Start screen in Windows 8. Though there are some changes, for example, the power button now appears on the top next to the user name. To the right, you’ll notice the Live Tiles in the same way you’ll find them in the Start screen. The leak only shows two rows of Live Tiles, but from what I understand, you will be able to expand beyond two rows. Like in the old Start menu, you get access to Search and All Apps. And if you’re in All Apps, you can easily right-click an app from the list to access different options, such as Open, Uninstall, Unpin from Start, and Pin to the taskbar.
SEE ALSO: This is how the new Start Menu will work in Windows 10
Windows 8 apps now show a modified title bar with the “App Command” […] menu that accesses the Charms (Search and Share) and other settings (Play, Print, Project, Settings), and there is even a “Full Screen” option that I can only assume is to full-screen apps in their totality like you see today in Metro apps.
The taskbar doesn’t show much improvement as it was previously rumored to be more interactive, but it shows a search button and a button to access the virtual desktops. We can also see that the “File Explorer” has new, more flattened icons and the screenshots also show a redesigned jump list. In “Computer,” you can start noticing that Microsoft is going with flat icons, though folders still show the old look. Again, this is a work in progress.
As previously reported, the notification center appears in this leaked release of Widows 9, but it does not show much, only a white section titled “Notifications”. However, you’ll notice that in the system tray, there is a small icon to access Notifications, which is identical to the notifications icon in Windows Phone.
Virtual desktops feature also appears in the Windows Technical Preview build 9834. The images show that a virtual desktop pops above the taskbar and allows users to add or move between desktops.
Microsoft Feedback apps. Yes, this time around, it seems that Microsoft will ask for your help to build a better version of Windows.
The software maker seems to be adding new device properties in PC settings.
Though I haven’t had the chance to download and install the preview, the screenshots shed some light on what is to come in Windows 10. However, there are other features that didn’t appear in this build, like Cortana, interactive Live Tiles and backgrounds, and Gadgets. Also there is not sign of Internet Explorer 12, the leaked build only shows IE 11. Also remember that the development is far from complete, as such everything could change at the end.
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 15 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 21 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].