Windows 10 Technical Preview: the complete summary of leaked features (part 1)

Windows 9 logo purple

Microsoft may be showing off Windows Technical Preview on September 30 in San Francisco, but thanks to a recent leak of a test version of the operating system, many of the new features and changes are already known. From Cortana to the new Start menu to the new redesigned flattened desktop, here are all the changes Windows 10 may include:

Start menu: Since Microsoft showed off an early version at the Build conference, the new menu doesn’t include dramatic changes to what we’ve already seen. The menu has a traditional look but adds elements from the Start screen, too, and users can add as many Live Tiles as they want. Also there is an option to disable or enabled the feature, however it’s unclear if this option will make it on the final version.

SEE ALSO: This is how the new Start Menu will work in Windows 10

Modern apps (windowed): The software giant previously said that Windows Store apps will change to be more useful for desktop users. In Windows Technical Preview, we can already see how apps are changing, now apps behave more like traditional apps floating in the desktop with an almost borderless frame.

Charms: The controversial Charms bar seems to be gone in the leaked preview of Windows Threshold, however they live in a per-app basis, on a new menu than can be accessed from the left side of the title bar that reveals the App Commands menu and an option to make modern apps full screen.

Charms appear in the App Command on Metro apps in Windows 9 Technical Preview

Note: It’s worth noting that Microsoft may also be planning to include the old Charms in Windows 10.

Virtual desktops: From the screenshots and video leaks of Windows Technical Preview (build 9834), we can also see that Microsoft is bringing virtual desktops (or multi-tasking), which is the ability to group apps and specific tasks on a particular desktop. Users can create multiple desktops by simply clicking the “Add new desktop” in the manager, and from the virtual desktops manager, users can easily control each experience with live preview and the ability to close apps without going inside the desktop.

Notification Center: Like in Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft is bringing Notification Center to Windows 10. The new features will bring all notifications from the system and apps together in one place. All notifications can be accessed by clicking an icon in the taskbar, they are grouped by apps and they have a timestamp. There is also a way to clear all the notifications at once, or you can remove them one-by-one. The feature is very basic, but more features can always be added in the future.

Desktop (flat design): To match the Metro-style look from the Start screen and Windows Store apps, Microsoft is also bringing the flat design to the desktop. Touch is not completely implemented, but we can already see where the operating system is headed. In the latest leaked version of Threshold, Microsoft included new flat design icons for the File Explorer and other elements, also the Jump List menu shows a new design.

Flatten design in Windows 9 preview

computerthreshold

SEE ALSO: Windows 10 Technical Preview build 9834 leak: analyzing the features within

Cortana: There are a few features that didn’t make it in build 9834 of Windows Technical Preview, but there is evidence of their existence. This is the case of Cortana. Previous rumors suggested that Microsoft’s digital assistant will be coming to Windows, and several leaked screenshots show that Cortana is being integrated into the operating system.

cortana-windows9-files_large

Storage Sense: A few features from Windows Phone are also coming to Windows 10. Storage Sense is one of them, as an entry of the feature was spotted in the PC settings, and the following screenshots further confirmed the new feature. Like in Windows Phone, Storage Sense for Windows 10 will help users to manage local storage. This is a welcome addition to Windows 10 as the feature can really be a help on new low-cost devices with limited internal storage. Currently, the feature shows that users can easily configure external storage to save music, pictures, and videos, but more functionality can be added in later releases.

Windows 9 Storage Sense - build 9834

SEE ALSO: Windows 10 (Threshold): The ultimate summary on expected features

Wi-Fi Sense: This is also a new Windows Phone 8.1 feature that allows users to automatically connect to nearby internet hotspots. What’s unique about Wi-Fi Sense is that it can deal with terms of use on the user’s behalf and provides additional information for networks that require it. Also, users can share password-protected networks with contacts on Facebook, Outlook.com, and Skype.

Windows 9 Wi-Fi Sense registry entry

Wi-Fi Sense isn’t a feature working in Windows 10, but there are registry keys that hint at the functionality.

Microsoft will be holding a press event on September 30 in San Francisco to talk and officially demo Windows Threshold for the first time. Following the event, we are expecting to release the “Windows Technical Preview” ISO image for anyone to download and test all the new features.

There is always a new leak, so check here for the complete Windows 10 coverage.

About the author

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.