Windows 'Threshold' tech preview around late September

Microsoft is aiming to deliver a "technology preview" of its Windows "Threshold" operating system by late September or early October, according to multiple sources of mine who asked not to be named.

And in a move that signals where Microsoft is heading on the "servicability" front, those who install the tech preview will need to agree to have subsequent monthly updates to it pushed to them automatically, sources added.

Threshold is the next major version of Windows that is expected to be christened "Windows 9" when it is made available in the spring of 2015. Threshold is expected to include a number of new features that are aimed at continuing to improve Windows' usability on non-touch devices and by those using mice and keyboards alongside touch.

Update: One of my contacts who has provided accurate information on Windows in the past said the Threshold tech preview will be public and available to all those interested.

Read more at: Microsoft to deliver Windows 'Threshold' tech preview around late September | ZDNet
 
:dinesh: :D
 

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I dislike reading they plan on getting rid of the Charms bar.

Maybe someone can write "CharmsIsBack" application :)

I don't care about it on my desktop. BUT, on my Windows 8.1 tablet, it makes Windows VERY usable and even desirable on a tablet. I have grown to use it a lot over the last 2 years on different tablets.

I hope whatever they replace it with will still make Windows useful on a tablet.
 

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Looks like M$ is planing different install modes for desktops without touch screens and other devices where touch screen if default input device so I imagine that Charms bar will be left on those as there's most useful.
 

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Sure hope they get it right...
 

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    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

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Me too, but I have a feeling your "right" and my "right" are totally different. ;) If we're lucky, maybe we'll both get what we want? :)
 

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    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
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    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
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    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
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    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
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    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
That would be acceptable.
 

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    AMD FX-8150
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    Creative X-Fi Titanium
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    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
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    Cyberfox
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    AVG Security Suite
I'm all for options as long as they are in fact "options" as in optional and can be turned on or off". :thumb:
 

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    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
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    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
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    Stock heatsink fan
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    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
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    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
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    Windows Defender
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    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I'm all for options as long as they are in fact "options" as in optional and can be turned on or off". :thumb:
I was just bout to say same thing.
 

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I'm all for options as long as they are in fact "options" as in optional and can be turned on or off". :thumb:

Making these with a setting would be nice, not having to do a registry hack to turn things off :)
 

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    Dell Inspiron 3521
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    4 GB
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    AMD Radeon
    Browser
    IE
Oh, mice and keyboards, I hear there are a few people still using these 'alongside touch'.I look forward also to seeing Window's usability on non-touch devices improve, it's a small but growing niche market after all.
 

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    Windows 8.1
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    AMD
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    IE11
I'm used to both Desktop and Metro interfaces, and I like'em... but like many here I'm for the right of choice !

:)
 

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What is the reason why they want to remove the Charms bar? Every time they come out with another version, they always strip it down. I use it in desktop mode.

dumb, dumb, dumb
 

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Thats an easy answer : business customers....they desperately want businesses to switch from XP
 

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What is the reason why they want to remove the Charms bar? Every time they come out with another version, they always strip it down. I use it in desktop mode.

dumb, dumb, dumb

There is now a PC settings tile, you could pin that to your taskbar?
 

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    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
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    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
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    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
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    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
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    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
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    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
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    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
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If true, then just a month away. :dinesh:

They will place everything that's on Charms on the slide down App Bar at the top. That's the bar they put back with the X on it to appease the OSosaurs. They don't use it anyway, for they don't use the Store apps, but it's there just in case. The Start Screen and Desktop app/portal will have one too except the Start Screen won't have the X.

I'm hoping it's configurable to be placed on any edge like the Taskbar. I dislike it at the top. Rather have it on the right side. Hoping WinKey/C combo keys open it too. I should think the time/day/date clock would show too when using the bar.

I'm thinking all settings (Control Panel) will be moved over to the Modern/Metro UI. The Desktop app/portal might be limited to the Pro and/or Enterprise editions only there to run Win32 apps.
 
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    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
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    Acer/Intel E946GZ
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I have Control Panel and God Mode icons everywhere including desktop and Taskbar, also sizable right click menu on Start button (16 entries). That way I can reach most of the tools from almost anywhere. Turn Off and Restart are also anywhere where they can be placed on.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    Home made
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    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
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    Asus Prime x470 Pro
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    16GB Kingston 3600
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    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
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    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
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    Raidmax
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    CCM Nepton 140xl
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    40/2 Mbps
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    Firefox
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    WD
I very seldom use the charms bar, usually only after a clean install to tweak a few settings. Right clicking the Start Button usually gets me what I want, control panel, command prompt, device manger etc. I have shutdown shortcuts on my taskbar and start menu, just for ease of use. For the other Metro Stuff PC Settings usually gets me what I want. These days the only time I'm looking at that stuff is when trying help somebody sort out an issue. For Metro Apps, I'd rather have the settings on the title bar than the charms bar anyway. Easier to get at when you want them, and still hidden when you don't need them. I'd like to be able to turn the auto hide off for the taskbar on Metro apps though. I like having the taskbar displayed on all monitors when I'm running multi monitors.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
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    PC/Desktop
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    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
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    Thermaltake TR 620
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    Stock heatsink fan
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    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
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    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
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    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Allow for the total elimination of metro.
Normal start menu with no metro in it.
Don't screw up ability to modify taskbar.

They get those three right, I'll be happy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Allow for the total elimination of metro.
Normal start menu with no metro in it.
Don't screw up ability to modify taskbar.

They get those three right, I'll be happy.

Allow metro apps to run full screen as they do now
The ability to keep the start screen as it is now

keep these options and I will be happy
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3521
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon
    Browser
    IE
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