It’s been nearly two months since Microsoft rolled out the last preview of Windows 10 (build 9926), but today, thanks to a recently leaked version of the operating system (build 10036), we have a pretty good picture of what will probably be in the next release, at least for the Fast ring .
The new leak shows several features and improvements the software giant is adding to Windows 10, such as transparency to the Start menu and an improved Task View , but the company has also been improving the Settings app, which will be what one day will completely replace the Control Panel.
People will first notice how Microsoft is improving the UI with new toggle menus, context menus, and circular user profile images instead of the square version. In other words, the Windows 10 user interface is coming together to offer the same experience across PCs, tablets, and phones.
However, many changes that Microsoft is adding to the operating system appear in the Settings app. The following list details all the new features and changes found in Windows 10 build 10036 since the last official public release (build 9926).
System
Apps & features: System now includes new sections, such as “Apps & features”. Build 10036 shows that Microsoft is trying to improve how apps are managed in the operating system. Now it’s easier to identify how apps are using your local storage, there is a search box to look up apps, and filters to find apps by name, date installed, and size. You can also list installed apps from the entire computer or by location.
Windows Defender: Microsoft is making settings from its antivirus easily accessible from the Settings app. In build 10036, users will find a new “Windows Defender” section to configure all the settings available from the lightweight antivirus. Users can now enable or disable the real-time protection, cloud protection, folder exclusion, and now it’s easier to know which version you are running.
Related settings: This is another important improvement worth pointing out. Now users will find a list of related settings when configuring the operating system on pretty much each section of the Settings app to hint users they can further configure Windows 10. The list of related settings can link to options inside the Settings app or Control Panel.
Multitasking: Microsoft has replaced “Windowing” found in build 9926 with “Multitasking”. Inside the new page, users will find the settings for Snap and Task View (virtual desktops).
Maps: Now users can easily enable an option to control how maps are downloaded on metered connections to safe data transfers.
Additional features: This section has been removed from the operating system.
App sizes: Microsoft has moved settings on “App sizes” to the new “Apps & features.”
Tablet Mode: Also known as Continuum, Tablet Mode is a new feature in Windows 10 that allows users to switch from a keyboard & mouse to a touch-optimized environment seamlessly without having to restart the computer to switch modes. This feature is particularly useful for those 2-in-1 devices like Surface Pro 3, in which when you disconnect the keyboard, you’ll be prompted to enable “Tablet Mode” and continue working with a more optimized user interface.
In Windows 10 build 10036, you can manually enable “Tablet Mode” and configure Windows to “Never prompt me and always stay in my current mode”, “Always prompt me to confirm”, or “Never prompt me and always switch modes”.
Devices
The Devices section in the Settings app didn’t received any new changes.
Network & Internet
Windows 10 build 10036 now only lists VPN, Dial-up, Ethernet, and Proxy settings. DirectAccess, Cellular, or Wi-Fi are listed. However, I will assume that Wi-Fi will be available when a wireless adapter is detected by the operating system.
Personalization
The Personalization section in the Settings app didn’t received any new changes.
Time & Languages
The Time & Languages section in the Settings app didn’t received any new changes.
Ease of Access
The Easy of Access section in the Settings app didn’t received any new changes.
Privacy
Microsoft has updated the Privacy settings section and now it includes options to control how apps access Contacts, Calendar, and Messaging.
Update & recovery
Choose how you download updates: In Windows 10 build 10036, Microsoft is introducing a new feature that will allow users to use multiple sources to download updates for the operating system and apps. Basically, users will have the option to choose to download updates faster from PCs on the local network or from PCs on the internet, very similar to how a peer-to-peer network works.
Recovery: In the Recovery page, users will notice that through the Advanced startup, now the boot options include a feature to “Roll back the previous build”.
Finally, for those still wondering, the unofficial version of Windows 10 (build 10036) doesn’t include the new installation process UI .
When we dig deep into the unofficial release of Windows 10, we can find many subtle changes. Not only is the company adding new features, but it’s also reorganizing how configurations are grouped inside the Settings apps. With the help of Related settings, users will be able to spend less time configuring Windows and more time getting things done.
As we approach Windows 10 RTM, we’ll see more of the operating system coming together. Hopefully, the company will soon start releasing new builds more frequently .
Update March 18, 2015: All these new changes in the Settings app also appear in Windows 10 build 10041.
Microsoft is making significant changes to reduce the space utilized by a Windows 10 installation and improving recovery, which means that the upcoming version of Windows isn’t just about bringing transparency to the Start menu and adding cosmetic changes, it’s about a lot more.
In a new Windows Blog article, Microsoft details the advances on storage requirements for Windows 10.
The software giant reveals that the latest preview build already includes the technique of file compression to give back some of the storage to users. Using the new technique, the software maker has managed to reduce the Windows 10 footprint up to 1.5GB on a 32-bit and 2.6GB on a 64-bit configuration. The company also said that the style of file compression will arrive in the future to Windows 10 for phones.
Also, to ensure file compression does not slow down the computer, Windows will consider a number of factors to detect whether should use compression or not.
Two of the factors that will determine the use of file compression is the amount of RAM and processor, as these two components are key to measure how fast the decompression works without affecting system responsiveness. This means that not every Windows 10 device will be able to use this new feature.
More importantly, if you ever need to reinstall the operating system, Windows 10 will be able to recover using the runtime system files that are currently stored in your computer.
Also, Windows 10 won’t require a separate recovery image, as Microsoft is redesigning how Refresh and Reset functionalities work. Instead of using a separate recovery image, which usually take up valuable space (anywhere from 4GB to 12GB), the Windows 10 recovery feature will use the files already in place. So, say goodbye to the “Insert Media: some files are missing” message Windows 8 users get almost every time they need to reset or refresh their PCs.
Even more impressive, you’ll be able to create your own recovery disk, in case of a more catastrophic accident that physically damage the hard drive.
With Windows 8.1, Microsoft introduced a similar solution called Windows Image Boot (WIMBOOT), but it required a specially designed image and different installation process, and only selected Windows 8.1 devices with low system storage were able to take advantage of WINBOOT.
The new solution in Windows 10 uses a version of WIMBOOT, but now it will expand virtually to every device running Windows 10, with the limitation of a few devices that won’t be able to upgrade just because their storage capacity is too limited, but Microsoft is working on a fix. The company explains that this happens because devices have to be able to roll back Windows 8.1 in case something goes wrong during the upgrade.
Microsoft also says that the new solution will even keep all those Windows updates, so users won’t have to spend additional time after reinstalling the operating system downloading hundreds of Gigabytes worth of updates.
