Microsoft Skips Windows 9, Goes Straight To Windows 10

Windows-10-Tech-Preview_Start-menu

Microsoft today announced the next version of Windows, Windows 10.

According to Microsoft, Windows 10 will run across the broadest range of devices ever. Key Windows 10 features include the return of the Start menu, multiple desktops and improved multi-tasking.

The company did not explain why it was skipping version 9 and going straight to Windows 10, but some analysts are speculating that this is an attempt to distance the brand from the widely criticized Windows 8 release.

For musicians, the biggest feature of Windows 10 may be that it promises to deliver the performance improvements implemented in Windows 8, but with a more familiar user interface.

You can get a sneak preview of Windows 10 from Windows VP Joe Belfiore in the video below:

WIndows 10 Features:

  • Expanded Start menu. The familiar Start menu is back, providing quick one-click access to the functions and files that people use most, and it includes a new space to personalize with favorite apps, programs, people and websites.
  • Apps that run in a window. Apps from the Windows Store now open in the same format that desktop programs do. They can be resized and moved around, and have title bars at the top allowing users to maximize, minimize and close with a click.
  • Snap enhancements. Working in multiple apps at once is easier and more intuitive with snap improvements. A new quadrant layout allows up to four apps to be snapped on the same screen. Windows will also show other apps and programs running for additional snapping, and it will even make smart suggestions on filling available screen space with other open apps.
  • New Task view button. The new Task view button on the task bar enables one view for all open apps and files, allowing for quick switching and one-touch access to any desktop created.
  • Multiple desktops. Instead of too many apps and files overlapping on a single desktop, it’s easy to create and switch between distinct desktops for different purposes and projects — whether for work or personal use.

Here’s what Microsoft has to say about 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 datacenters 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.

Note that Microsoft is announcing the developer preview for Windows 10, not a general release – so consider this a sneak preview of what’s coming.

36 thoughts on “Microsoft Skips Windows 9, Goes Straight To Windows 10”

  2. seriously though, calling it 10 seems dumb to me. I’d guess they scrapped 9 because it was more extreme than 8 in terms of differences to “classic” windows and if that’s the case that gives me less confidence in it…

    if they’re just disregarding numbers for marketing reasons why not call it windows 1000 or 5000 or something?

  7. I think their reasoning is that windows 8.1 was the ninth large release of windows why this must be the thenth. Not saying its logic though

  13. Windows 8.1 is also the best windows yet, 8.0 was horrible though. I use 8.1 with Reaper and Ableton Live everyday for professional audio production, recording and music making. Would not want to go back to Win 7. The business with the version number skipping though seems like a weird gimmick that’s just gonna make Microsoft look stupid.

  14. Noooo really??! You can resize AND MOVE AROUND those app windows?
    Gaawd, it’s the excitement from windows 2.0 all over again! I won’t be able to sleep for days now!

    And… just to be nasty… What the f-presentation?
    I work at a very small company. The boss’s kids do our videos. They seem quite the match for this.
    Was Microsoft sold to the newspaper store around the corner last week? Or do they try to look like a very small company where someone from the reception jumps in to do the presentations?

    I’ll never understand the workings of real companies…

    2. Yeah, how does a multibillion dollar company make a video where the lighting gives the guy that “Hitler ‘stache shadow”. It was understandable when some one man operation had a video on Synthtopia with that issue but nobody at Microsoft that worked on this promo noticed that and stopped it? Or are they trying to have the guy look like some weird emo Hitler on purpose? Isn’t that dude kind old to be rocking an emo kid haircut anyways? Hell, do emo kids even have that kind of hair still? Microsoft should just stick to making operating systems for cubicles and forget about trying to be relevant to anyone who doesn’t work in a suit. It’s just too awkward.

  15. Did they skip 9 perhaps because their was discussion Windows 9 would be free to Windows 8 owners? Or will Windows 10 be free to Windows 8 owners?

  16. i can only say Finaly!
    the news are finaly very pleasant. i work on 8.1 tuned for audio pro. and am more than happy.
    very smooth!
    lets see how stable will #10 be. Love the windows spliting and the extra screens FINALY!!!
    now i just need to get a new motherboard with mulicore cpu support… they ‘re out already.. hehehe
    is it free upgrade for 8.1 user??? …PLZ….

  17. My guess that skipping Windows 9 is because (brand wise) it would be too similar to Windows 95 or Windows 98. Perception management: “This is new!”

  22. A year passed: winter changed into spring, spring changed into summer, summer changed back into winter, and winter gave spring and summer a miss and went straight on into autumn… until one day…

  27. Microsoft decided to go with Windows 10 branding to avoid issues related to Windows 95/Windows 98 legacy code.

    early testing revealed just how many third party products that had code of the form

    if(version.StartsWith(“Windows 9?)) { /* 95 and 98 */ } else {

    and that this was the pragmatic solution to avoid that. If Microsoft named it as Windows 9, all classic apps with the above code structure will treat it as either Windows 95 or Windows 98. So, Microsoft decided to avoid it by naming it Windows 10.

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