Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Microsoft

Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

By Mark W. Kaelin May 19, 2015, 12:09 PM PDT

Image
1
of 22

awindows10.png
awindows10.png
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Microsoft Windows 10 Desktop

Image: Mark Kaelin

Microsoft Windows 10 Desktop

Here is the Microsoft Windows 10 Desktop. It looks very much like arnWindows 8 Desktop.

One difference is the “Ask me anything” section of the taskbar–that’s Cortana listening for those magic words: “Hey Cortana!”

You might also notice that there are some Microsoft Office 2013 icons onrnthe taskbar, along with the familiar icon for the Chrome browser. Those wererninstalled on this PC when it was running Windows 8.1, and they were there whenrnWindows 10 finished its install. Windows 10 is basically a Windows Update.

By the way, I’m using an aging HP Pavilion Entertainment notebook PCrn(HP DV7t 1000) for this gallery. Windows 10 runs smoothly albeit a bit slowly.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

New smaller Start Menu screen

Image: Mark Kaelin

New smaller Start Menu screen

When you click the Windows icon in the lower left-hand corner (or pressrnthe [Windows] key), you’ll see the new smaller Start Menu screen. There arernstill active tiles, but the Start Menu no longer completely covers the desktoprnas it does in Windows 8.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Full screen

Image: Mark Kaelin

Full screen

Unless of course you want it to, then you just click the expansion arrowrnto get the full screen.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

General applications

Image: Mark Kaelin

General applications

The general applications that come with Windows, like the photo apprnshown here, have been, for the lack of better word, “tabletized.”rnThis is where you’ll see the blending of desktop and tablet interfaces.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Photo app

Image: Mark Kaelin

Photo app

The settings page for the Photo app is an even better example of arntablet friendly interface on the desktop.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Cortana settings

Image: Mark Kaelin

Cortana settings

I changed the settings to have Cortana call me Mark, but I suppose yourncould choose something more appropriate, like Dr. Evil, if so inclined.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Basic productivity features

Image: Mark Kaelin

Basic productivity features

As part of the Cortana system, Microsoft is trying to provide some ofrnthe basic productivity features people tend to use on a regular basis. There’srna notebook app, basic email, calendar, and a task list.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Familiar Windows 8 menu

Image: Mark Kaelin

Familiar Windows 8 menu

If you right-click on the Windows icon in the corner, you get thernfamiliar Windows 8 menu of system control, setting, and configurationrnapplications.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Windows Update dialog screen

Image: Mark Kaelin

Windows Update dialog screen

Of course, there’s the familiar Windows Update dialog screen. It looksrna little different, but it still performs the same function.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Windows Defender

Image: Mark Kaelin

Windows Defender

And Windows Defender is still around to protect us from malware andrnother security problems.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Systems Settings screen

Image: Mark Kaelin

Systems Settings screen

The Systems Settings screen has changed a bit to accommodate the tabletrninterface, but all of the functions are still available.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Notifications menu

Image: Mark Kaelin

Notifications menu

One significant change in Windows 10 is the increased functionality ofrnthe Action Center, which is now called the Notifications menu. You can see at a glance what updates have been recently applied and get accessrnto useful areas, like system settings, through this feature.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Edge browser

Image: Mark Kaelin

Edge browser

This is a look at the new browser from Microsoft that will come withrnWindows 10. The code name is Project Spartan, but it has already been announcedrnthat the shipping name will be Edge.

Notice the clean, minimalistic look. If you’re not paying attention, yournmay not even notice that you’re in a browser.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

​The Edge Favorites Bar

Image: Mark Kaelin

​The Edge Favorites Bar

The Edge Favorites Bar is more of a Favorites Sidebar. Once again, tornaccommodate fat fingers on a tablet or a smartphone, the bar needs to have somerngirth that’s not necessary on a desktop–a compromise I can live with, Irnthink.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Edge annotation features

Image: Mark Kaelin

Edge annotation features

As part of its commitment to the theme of collaboration, Microsoft isrnpushing the annotation features of the Edge browser. Using the built-in tools,rnyou can mark up a web page to your heart’s content.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Edge collaboration

Image: Mark Kaelin

Edge collaboration

You can make notes for yourself or for your collaborative partners.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Edge tools

Image: Mark Kaelin

Edge tools

You can also cut out sections of a web page you want to highlight andrnshare just that section with friends and colleagues.

Personally, I don’t think I will make much use of these tools, but Irnthink it’s nice to have them available on the rare occasion where it wouldrnprove useful.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Task View

Image: Mark Kaelin

Task View

There is one new Windows 10 feature that really appeals to me.rnIt’s called Task View, and it’s accessedrnby clicking the icon just right of Cortana on the Task Bar. This feature is thernold [Alt]+[Tab] task switcher on steroids.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Multiple desktops

Image: Mark Kaelin

Multiple desktops

One new feature in Task View is the ability to create more than onerndesktop. Now, not only can you switch between running applications, but you canrnalso switch between desktops.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Store app

Image: Mark Kaelin

Store app

There are also some standard apps that are held over from Windows 8, likernthe Store app. Microsoft would like to have us use the Store much more than wernhave, but the adoption by users has been nominal at best.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Money application

Image: Mark Kaelin

Money application

There are other apps in the standard set of Windows 10 tile-friendly programs,rnlike the Money application shown here. All of them have the hybridrndesktop/tablet interface. The interface may take some getting used to, but it’s not the worst interface in the world, so give it some time.

Image: Mark Kaelin
Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

Cortana Bing search frustration

Image: Mark Kaelin

Cortana Bing search frustration

One note about Cortana. I was able to talk to Cortana in some fashion,rnbut all she could do was send my uttered phrases to a Bing search. I think shernis just being difficult.

I’m skeptical about the practicality of all voice recognitionrntechnologies, at least when it comes to computing devices. Saying “HeyrnCortana” and then “Nearby Restaurants,” which brings that phrasernto a search engine dialog box, is much less efficient than just typing it. Irnthink we have a long way to go before we can converse with an AI like the Halrn9000, which is a good thing. I’m not looking forward to the day when myrncomputer says those ominous words: “I’m sorry Mark. I can’t do that.”

Image: Mark Kaelin
  • Microsoft
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10

    Your email has been sent

Share: Screenshots: A preview of Microsoft Windows 10
Image of Mark W. Kaelin
By Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology industry, software, hardware, gaming, finance, accounting, and technology geekdom for more than 30 years.
  • Account Information

    Contact Mark W. Kaelin

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Mark W.'s content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×