Blogging Windows
It’s a humbling and amazing thing to
work on Windows, which is used by over 1.5 billion people in every country of
the world. From kids playing with computers for the first time, to writers and
journalists, to engineers, to gamers, to CEOs, at some point Windows has
empowered all of us.
In the Windows team, we’re proud of
this – but we also know that the world today is very different from the one in
which Windows grew up. Today, devices outnumber people. Connectivity is like
oxygen. The tension between the desire for agility versus stability poses a
huge challenge for IT Pros. Experiences – no matter what device you’re on –
just need to work. The only thing that hasn’t really changed is the situation
for developers – still too much to do, and not enough time.
One way to look at it is that
Windows is at a threshold :-). It’s time for a new Windows. This new
Windows must be built from the ground-up for a mobile-first, cloud-first world.
This new Windows must help our customers be productive in both their digital
work and their digital life. This new Windows must empower people and
organizations to do great things.
That new Windows is Windows 10.
Windows 10 represents the first step
of a whole new generation of Windows. Windows 10 unlocks new experiences for
customers to work, play and connect. Windows 10 embodies what our customers
(both consumers and enterprises) demand and what we will deliver.
Windows 10 will run across an
incredibly broad set of devices – from the Internet of Things, to servers in
enterprise data centers worldwide. Some of these devices have 4 inch screens –
some have 80 inch screens – and some don’t have screens at all. Some of these
devices you hold in your hand, others are ten feet away. Some of these devices
you primarily use touch/pen, others mouse/keyboard, others controller/gesture –
and some devices can switch between input types.
We’re not talking about one UI to
rule them all – we’re talking about one product family, with a tailored
experience for each device.
And across this breadth of devices,
we are delivering one application platform for our developers. Whether you’re
building a game or a line of business application, there will be one way to
write a universal app that targets the entire family. There will be one store,
one way for applications to be discovered, purchased and updated across all of
these devices.
Windows 10 will deliver the right
experience on the right device at the right time. It will be our most
comprehensive platform ever.
Now, during the design of a new
Windows, we spend time with many diverse customers. One of the most important
of these customers is the enterprise. In the past year I’ve talked to dozens of
enterprise customers and listened to how they are using and deploying Windows,
and what they need from us.
These customers are betting their
businesses on Windows – in the first half of this year, shipments of enterprise
PCs grew 14%. In that same time period, shipments of Windows enterprise tablets
grew 33%.
These customers have a need to
evaluate Windows early, so we are starting our dialog with them today. For more
details about what Windows 10 will have for these customers, check out this blog post on the Windows for your Business
blog.
Tomorrow, we are excited to announce
the Windows
Insider Program, where PC experts and IT Pros can get access to a
technical preview of Windows 10 for desktops and laptops. Soon after, we’ll
also be releasing technical previews of Windows Server and our management
tools.
With the Insider program, we’re
inviting our most enthusiastic Windows customers to shape Windows 10 with us.
We know they’re a vocal bunch – and we’re looking forward to hearing from them.
The Windows Insider Program is
intended for PC experts and IT pros who are comfortable using pre-release
software with variable quality. Insiders will receive a steady stream of early
builds from us with the latest features we’re experimenting with.
This week’s announcements are just
the first chapter of our conversation with customers about Windows 10 – with a
focus on enterprise features (because enterprises have a need to evaluate
software early on) and the desktop/laptop experiences. Early in 2015 we’ll introduce
the consumer chapter and talk much more about other device types and more
consumer features. We’ll then continue the conversation with the developer
chapter at our Build conference, and later in the year we’ll release Windows 10
and look forward to some amazing new devices.
Today was an important beginning for
our customers and partners as we embark on the Windows 10 journey together. I
encourage everyone reading this to sign up for the Windows Insider
Program, download the technical preview, and let us know what you
think. Check here tomorrow for specific details – but in the meantime, here’s a
peek at some of the new features you can test drive once you become an Insider:
Start menu: The familiar Start menu is back, but it brings with it a
new customizable space for your favorite apps and Live Tiles.
Everything runs in a window: Apps from the Windows Store now open in the same format
that desktop apps do and can be resized and moved around, and have title bars
at the top allowing for maximize, minimize, and close with a click.
Snap enhancements: You can now have four apps snapped on the same screen with
a new quadrant layout. Windows will also show other apps and programs running
for additional snapping and even make smart suggestions on filling available
screen space with other open apps.
New task view button: There’s a new task-view button on the taskbar for quick
switching between open files and quick access to any desktops you create.
Multiple desktops: Create desktops for different purposes and projects and
switch between these desktops easily and pick up where you left off on each
desktop.
Find files faster: File Explorer now displays your recent files and frequently
visited folders making for finding files you’ve worked on is easier.
Watch the below video from Joe
Belfiore to see many of these features in action. Immediately you’ll see how
Windows 10 carries forward a sense of familiarity, while providing new
capabilities to help you way the work you want to and be more productive.
Today was an important beginning for
our customers and partners as we embark on the Windows 10 journey together.
While it’s early and things are bound to change as we collaborate together in
the months ahead, this should give a strong sense of where we’re going not only
with the desktop experience, but in general overall. We’re looking forward to
getting your feedback on Windows 10, as well as continuing this conversation in
the weeks and months to come.
YouTube
