Windows 'Threshold' to add virtual desktops, drop charms

The next version of Windows, codenamed "Threshold," is going to include some fairly major user interface changes beyond the inclusion of the new Start menu and "Modern" app windowing.

A couple of reports from earlier this week cited some other interface changes coming to Threshold. My sources are corroborating those reports.

First up, as reported by Brad Sams at Neowin.net, Microsoft is moving toward adding virtual desktops to Threshold, the Windows release expected in the spring of 2015. As Sams noted, other operating systems, including Apple's OS X and Ubuntu, already support virtual desktops, which allow users to run and switch more easily between apps and groups of apps.

The other UI change coming to Threshold is the elimination of the Charms Bar, as first reported by Winbeta.org.

Read more at: Microsoft's Windows 'Threshold' expected to add virtual desktops, drop charms | ZDNet
 
Sounds good. Bring it on! ;)
Thanks Shawn!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Yay

When my friend showed me virtual desktops in Linux (~10 years ago) I thought, "Meh."

After I started studying Networking, I discovered that I had to have at least half a dozen different documents open and at least one VM running (I then realised how useful they were).

I've had VirtuaWin installed in W7 (since 2011) to provide me with multiple desktops.

Virtual desktops should be very useful with the limited size options of Metro Apps.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
When my friend showed me virtual desktops in Linux (~10 years ago) I thought, "Meh."

After I started studying Networking, I discovered that I had to have at least half a dozen different documents open and at least one VM running (I then realised how useful they were).

I've had VirtuaWin installed in W7 (since 2011) to provide me with multiple desktops.

Virtual desktops should be very useful with the limited size options of Metro Apps.

The metro apps already kind of act as virtual desktops.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Ehhh... I once tried virtual desktops with an AMD suite add on a time ago, wasn't too impressed. The problem I saw with it is that if you have a single monitor setup and have had it that way since forever, you have a tendency to stick to that usage pattern i.e. not fully utilizing the virtual spaces. It will however depend on execution of such.

Windows 9

If it's something like this, I'll be inclined to use it. If it is like in Linux, meh.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
When my friend showed me virtual desktops in Linux (~10 years ago) I thought, "Meh."

After I started studying Networking, I discovered that I had to have at least half a dozen different documents open and at least one VM running (I then realised how useful they were).

I've had VirtuaWin installed in W7 (since 2011) to provide me with multiple desktops.

Virtual desktops should be very useful with the limited size options of Metro Apps.

The metro apps already kind of act as virtual desktops.
That's true, the difference being the smaller number of allowable combinations of open windows.

Ehhh... I once tried virtual desktops with an AMD suite add on a time ago, wasn't too impressed. The problem I saw with it is that if you have a single monitor setup and have had it that way since forever, you have a tendency to stick to that usage pattern i.e. not fully utilizing the virtual spaces. It will however depend on execution of such.
They are useful if you need lots of windows open (browser, exercises, instructions, etc.) and/or you have to use certain programs that are only really useful if they are fullscreen (picture/sound/video editing, VMs, etc.).

If someone only has a couple of programs open (e.g. browser and a media player), virtual desktops aren't really going to make their experience any better.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Hi there

I LIKE the idea of Virtual Desktops -- this should overcome some of the limitations of the current "Unity Mode". Windowed Metro Apps -- also a great idea.

Someone at Ms finally looks like they've got their head at the TOP end of their body rather than stuck at the lower end.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Virtual desktops have been in Linux and OS X for years. Typical Microsoft. What I want them to fix is how in hell does Windows not detect 2 partitions in one USB stick? Linux and OS X read them just fine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro & OS X Mavericks
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5 430M
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
Back
Top