As expected a new pre-public version of Windows Blue (build 9364) has leaked online and it’s available for download in many sites around the web. This new version of Windows reveals a handful of features that are coming in the next big Microsoft Windows 8 update.
The early build of Blue images and videos circulating around the web suggest that the folks at Redmond are incorporating smaller live tiles (and even larger) to the Start screen, in addition to two tile sizes already present in the OS, more control on the personalization options such as, choosing virtually any background and accent color, and a few other enhancements.
SEE ALSO: Watch This: Windows Blue build 9364 overview videos
Probably one of the most significant UI changes in Windows Blue build 9364 is that users will be able to use Snap view with two modern apps splitting the screen in half for each app, very similar to the desktop version of snap.
Blue will also include a few new Windows 8 apps: Calculate, Sound Recorder, Movie Moments and Alarms. And there is a new Apps settings section that allows to change apps and information on apps sizes.
The Windows 8 Charms are also being refreshed. The Devices Charm now includes a new “Play” feature, and the Share Charm will allow users to quickly share an image file with other apps.
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We also know that Internet Explorer 11 will come included in Blue, but we have yet to see new improvements.
Windows Blue (9364.0.FBL_PARTNER_OUT13.130315-2105_X86FRE_CLIENT) isn’t the final version, but it shows that the next Microsoft major update for Windows 8 is not ordinary and it will bring many changes to the OS. A public preview will be available in a few months, with a final version released before the end of the year.
Update
SEE ALSO: Windows Blue: In-depth overview on the new features and changes for Windows 8
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].