My "Mini Review" of Windows 10 Build 10130

[neo1911]

Hey guys, I have been using the new build 10130 heavily for nearly 3 days now. I would like to articulate few of my thoughts on how the new Windows is shaping up.

 

First and foremost, I am a huge hater of Modern tiles interface of Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. So there is clearly some bias. But here goes.

 

1. Setup process: This is still the same skinned from Windows 8. Microsoft could do a lot here to polish things right from start. Apple does this so why not? Anyway, the install took roughly the same amount of time 4-5 mins off a Sandisk Extreme USB3 Flash Drive

 

2. OOBE (Out of the Box Experience): This one looks better with milder colors. Few options are moved and added. Welcome move. But the annoying "We are setting things up for you" babysitting is still there. Then it installs apps. It takes 5-6 minutes  and it could have been done at the setup itself. The only relief is that it now does not flash rainbow colors at you.

 

3. The UI: I am ok with re-introduction of the Start Menu. I had got used to Windows 8.1 style full start screen but this one is ok. I am sure I will get used to it's functionality quickly. Finally translucency or blur has been introduced and I am a big fan of that. Thank you Microsoft. Let the less capable hardware have blur disabled by default.

 

The file explorer window's Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons do not align with Modern interface Apps. Rumors say that Microsoft engineers are unable to figure that out. Really?

 

 

Two Control Panels still exist. I don't think they will remove the old one yet.

 

Overall, the whole OS has inherited the sluggishness of WP8.1 and Modern based interface.Due to the nature of animations, there appears to be micro second lag everytime we perform an action. As if the OS is waiting for the animation to finish before displaying the result. I no not find it crisp as W8.1 or W7. Previously in Windows 8.1, this sluggishness was restricted only to Modern interface Control Panel and apps. Now it's everywhere. I am not enjoying it really.

 

The icons are much better and are going well with the UI. The amount of White has increased in the window frames like iOS 7/8. It needs to be toned down to slight grey. That would be easy on the eyes.

 

The networking menu is not a sidebar any more (I love that btw). Windows 7 had such an amazing menu for that and Microsoft realized this. But now notifications is a sidebar. The volume and Calender menus are slick.

 

The new Control Panel is shaping up well and will take some time to get used to. It feels laggy due to those animations. Ok ok enough of that.

 

The drive properties has changed to Donut. However, I wished they changed the colors to something in-line with the new style.

 

New sounds are welcome addition but some actions invoke new and old sound. Eg. Unplugging USB stick.

 

4. New features useful to Me:  Yes this is a big one. As far as normal users like me are concerned. DirectX 12.

Apart from that, Windows 10 does nothing better than what Windows 7 or 8 did. Taking the whole picture into consideration, the OS feels like it's geared for people to buy and consume content from App Store. Installing apps other than App Store will be frowned upon in future exactly like Apple is doing with their OSX.

 

5. Functionality: All the things you can find in the press release. Cortana, Virtual Desktops and Project Spartan doesn't impress me yet.

 

I have to admit, the OS is looking prettier day by day. The release day is finalized and I can't wait to see how it looks and performs when it hits RTM.

 

Thanks for reading.