By Shadow Links

So I’ve known for a while that Microsoft’s math skills are lacking. I recall a file transfer claiming that countless days would be spent on the transfer when in reality it only took minutes. Or a more recent example of the Xbox One being released after the Xbox 360 and the original Xbox. After all, don’t we use the term “PlayStation 1” to refer to the original PlayStation? Microsoft needs to hire a math tutor.

In this case, Microsoft chose to go from Windows 7 and 8, skip 9, and go straight to 10. This of course was quite the surprise to anyone that can count to 10. When asked about the choice, speakers tended to uneasily avoid the question, joke, or try to explain that it is a big jump from 8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84NI5fjTfpQ

Well regardless, I have been fortunate enough to receive an evaluation copy of Windows 10 to experiment with. To sum things up in a sentence I think it should have been called Windows 15 instead of 10, because it adds Windows 7 and 8 together. Technically, Windows 10‘s version number is 6.43 as it is still based on Vista. Take that information how you want but it really just means there isn’t too much of a difference between any of them (Windows Vista is 6.0. Windows 7 is 6.1. Windows 8 is 6.2). Like Windows 8, Windows 10 also logs in using a Microsoft account which could be a minor hurdle for offline users. Unlike Windows 8, there will be no RT version or any others like for servers. All will be on the same OS (Operating System) which nicely consolidates Windows’ large field of Operating Systems they have been supporting.

The most noticed feature in the Windows 10 reveal was this dude’s hair. I kid you not.

The first thing that you will notice on Windows 10 is the return of the desktop. The Metro interface for apps from 8 is no longer the default user interface, although you can change the option back if you really wanted it for a touch screen device. Apps and tiles are still a part of the system but are more subdued as they only appear beside the new start menu. The start menu also has an option to show all apps in a similar fashion to what Windows 7/Vista did that also includes normal desktop programs. Otherwise, apps open in a window more like desktop programs always have rather than full screen.

A neat addition to the interface is the option to create separate desktop screens similar to what is already available in OSX and Linux. This allows users to separate opened programs and apps based on a task or some other organization method. Switching between them can be done through the new desktop button on the task bar or selecting one of the hidden icons.

In use so far, I’ve only had one real issue and that was my antivirus (AVAST or AVG) wouldn’t install on the system. Windows Defender is up and running and there are some antiviruses that will work, just not the ones I use. Microsoft Office 2013 and all the other programs I installed like VLC, Java, Flash, Chrome, Firefox, and 7z all installed fine. I suspect the only issues will be programs that are dependent on the OS will have issues initially (especially since this is so new) until developers have a chance to update.

So what does this mean for gamers? Well it seem that like Vista and 7, we can jump 8 and feel moderately comfortable on Windows 10. The lack of emphasis on the Metro interface and tiles while still incorporating them was a smart move to stay modern but not totally revert back to what practically would have been Windows 7. The OS seems to be about the same size and has the same requirements as Windows 8, so it runs smoothly even on much older machines. 32 and 64 bit versions are available for testing.

Thoughts on the new OS? Post them below!