At a press event on Tuesday, Microsoft launched the next version of Windows: Not Windows One, not Windows 9, but Windows 10, which combines the reborn Start menu with Windows 8’s colorful live tiles and adjusts its behavior depending on how you’re using your device.
Microsoft appears to be skipping Windows 9 entirely; the most recent version of the OS is Windows 8.1, which followed 2012's Windows 8.
Enterprises will be getting an early look at Windows 10 before the public so that large companies can get used to the new software before it launches. IT managers will be able to easily manage all types of Windows 10 devices and can even customize internal app stores so that employees will be able to use apps approved by the company.
Here's a look at the features we can expect to see in Windows 10:
The Start Menu Is Back
Windows 10 will come with a classic-looking desktop, which should please Windows fans who miss Windows 7 (shown above). This means there will be a Start menu, too, although it looks a bit different from the menu we're used to. As previous leaks had indicated, the Start menu looks like a hybrid of a standard menu and the tiled Windows 8 interface.
Better multitasking
Taking a cue from OS X and Linux, Microsoft is finally adding two very popular features to Windows: an Exposé-like multitasking feature called "Task View", where you can see all your open windows at once, and the ability to create multiple desktops for better Window organization (known as Spaces on the Mac). You can launch this multitasking view from a new "Task View" button in the taskbar.
Aero Snap is also getting a little update, letting you snap up to four windows at once. It'll show window previews for other open windows in any empty spaces so you can easily drag them into view.
Improved Snap feature.
With Windows 10, you'll be able to snap multiple apps alongside one another. Based on Microsoft's demo, it looks as if you can snap more apps together than you could before with previous versions of Windows.
Continum
This is the best new thing we found out today. Continum is an on-the-fly mode for 2 in 1 devices that can automatically change mode if it detects there is suddenly no keyboard attached. So, for example, a back button appears to help you navigate the Desktop with touch if the keyboard is removed. We reckon the charms will also disappear in non-touch mode, although we've heard conflicting news about that.
It's important to keep in mind that this is a very early version of Windows 10, so there may be some changes before the final software becomes available.
