Windows 10 (original release)

This is the first public preview build of Microsoft Windows 10. It introduces a hybrid start menu that combines the functionality of that of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. In this build, "Metro-Style" apps, direct predecessors to UWP apps, can be run in floating windows. Improvements are made to window management with the introduction of Task View that features virtual desktops. Other improvements in this area include the expansion of the window snapping feature allowing apps to be snapped on up to four corners with "Snap Assist" feature that suggest other windows to snap when the users snaps a window.[15][16]

The Windows command line console is updated with this build with new functionalities including, allowing users to cut, copy, and paste texts with the standard keyboard shortcuts, the ability to display the console at full screen at any display resolution, and transparency options.[15][17]

The second public preview build of Windows 10 introduces Action Center, which debuted in Windows Phone 8.1.[20]

This is the last public preview build to have the version number of 6.4. This build brought upon one of the most controversial changes to the operating system by removing the OneDrive's "Smart Files" that allowed users to view and work with files on OneDrive through File Explorer even if they were not synced to the device. OneDrive now uses selective synchronization of local contents with the cloud service.[22][23]

Other UI changes in this build include the ability to hide the "Task View" and "Search" buttons from the Taskbar, updated minimize and restore animations, updated menu icon for "Metro-Style" apps from 3 dots to hamburger-style icon.[23]

New 3 finger gestures have also been added to switch to Task View and switch between virtual desktops.[23]

Internet Explorer contains opt-in preview of new EdgeHTML rendering engine.[24][25][26]

This build brings native support for Matroska file types. It also brings Operating system compression through the Disk Cleanup utility.[27]

This build was released after Microsoft's January Windows 10 event where it showed off its upcoming roadmap for the operating system as well as introduced new hardware, including the HoloLens and Surface Hub. This build brings an all-new Start menu built on top of the UWP APIs. It replaces the Start menu and Start screen, built on legacy DirectUI used on Previous Windows builds and releases. A full screen button is added to the new Start menu, allowing the user to toggle the full-screen experience without having to go to the Settings app, logging out, and logging back in, as it was required in previous builds.[29]

This build is the first build to introduce Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. It introduces the beta version of the Windows Store built using the UWP APIs. It also debuts the new Xbox app, which Microsoft announced would be used to stream Xbox One games directly to the PC.[30] A new alarm app is featured and it includes a world clock, timer, and stop watch[31] A new UWP Calculator app replaces the traditional Win32 calculator. Maps app with Cortana integration[32] and ability to save maps for offline use[33] A new Photos app is introduced with aggregated content and automatic enhancements.[34]

Cortana is introduced on the PC for the first time, with support for U.S. English locale.

There are other user interface changes with this build, including restyled window frames and support for new languages. The Settings app is updated with new layout[35] The Taskbar is restyled with new opaque appearance, smaller application icons, and underlines to denote active applications. The Action Center is redesigned and includes with quick action buttons.[36] The search button on the Taskbar is changed to a search box by default. Option to pick default folder when opening File Explorer is added with this build. Early version of DirectX 12 is also included.

This build brings Cortana support to China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom. App updates for this build include Insider Hub, Photos, and Windows Feedback. User Interface changes include the addition of network connections fly-out that can be invoked from the taskbar, handwriting input canvas optimizations for short text entries, lock screen changes with "did you know" backgrounds to help users with Windows 10. The Start button is smaller and has a new hover animation. Functional changes and the addition of transparency to the Start menu. Open applications no longer appear on the taskbar across all virtual desktops by default and can be moved across desktops.

This build also adds the ability to unlock devices with Windows Hello, but requires manufacturers to implement a camera with said capabilities. Print to PDFs is also added.

This build debuts the public preview of Microsoft Edge web browser.[39] Alarms & Clocks, Calculator and Voice recorder have been updated with new interfaces. Bio Enrollment is also added, although its purpose is still not known and the app is not accessible.[40]

This build features several new apps as well as improvements to existing UWP apps. The Mail, Calendar, MSN Weather, MSN Money, and other apps have been updated with new interfaces and improved performance. Preview versions of the Music and Video apps are included along with their Windows 8 counterparts. Microsoft Solitaire Collection is now included with the operating system.[44]

This build also brings several UI changes. There is now a new black system theme across the Start menu, Taskbar and Action Center. There is now transparency in the Start menu, the Taskbar, the Action Center, and preview windows, with options to enable or disable it. The Start menu is now resizable. Visuals have been refined for desktop icons, close buttons, and thumbnails.

Tablet mode is improved such that entering Tablet mode now causes the Start button, Cortana, and the Task View buttons to all grow in size and space out to be more touch friendly. There is also a new setting to boot direct into Tablet Mode. For tablets under 10 inches, this is the default behavior.

Microsoft Edge has received improvement such that double-clicking on its titlebar now maximizes the application.

Released alongside Microsoft's 2015 build conference, this build introduces new default Windows system sounds. Cortana's user interface is significantly improved; it is now more seamlessly integrated with the Start Menu. Enhancements are made to live tiles, including new animations and the addition the option to disable a live tile. The Start menu's UI has been further refined. Through A/B testing, select users are chosen to experience a translucent Start menu with background blur. The settings app has been improved, including the addition of desktop personalization within the app.

Changes to the desktop user interface is included with this build. The File Explorer and Settings icons in the Start menu are moved to the bottom, near the Power option. The ability to toggle between Start menu and Start screen was moved to the new Start settings page under Personalization settings. People, MSN Weather, MSN Money, Insider Hub, and other apps have been updated with new interfaces and improved performance Microsoft Edge received a New Tab page.

This build also brings changes to how Windows 10 handles default apps. Now, apps cannot modify default apps; only the end user can do so from the Settings app. If an app attempts to change the defaults, the user will simply receive a message describing how to manually change the default apps.

This build brings various visual improvements. Users can now customize Start experience by opening the Settings app > Personalization > Start. There are new icon throughout the operating system. Jump Lists on the taskbar and Start menu, first introduced in Windows 7, are rebuilt using UWP APIs. Further improvements are made to tablet mode, video playback with the Movies & TV app, and Microsoft Edge (still named Project Spartan in this build). This build also adds the ability to print to PDF natively.

Starting with this build, Cortana's speech recognition can be launched using ⊞ Win+C.[55]

This build brings further UX improvements and refinements, updates to Cortana and its integration with apps and services. This build also includes app updates, including updates to the photos app and the Snipping Tool app that allows the capture of screenshot after a user defined timer. Starting with this build, the Insider Hub app is no longer installed by default but can be reinstalled from the Settings app. The legacy Windows Photo viewer app no longer has various picture format associations in the registry in favor of the Photos app.[59]

Microsoft Edge has also received significant improvements in this build. The browser no longer refers to itself as "Project Spartan"; instead, it bears the "Edge" name. Updates to the browser include an optional home toolbar button, the ability to import bookmarks from other browsers, dark theme, the ability to drag and drop tabs to another Microsoft Edge window, and auto-fill of forms and password fields. The user can also set what page Microsoft Edge displays upon startup and whether to display top sites and/or aggregated news content upon opening a new tab. Microsoft Edge can now also continue playing audio and video even when the app is minimized.

This build includes a new default desktop wallpaper, referred to as "hero image" by Microsoft, that would be included in the public release of Windows 10. The logon screen is also updated to display a modified version of the default wallpaper on the page where the user enters their login credentials.

This build adds a pop-up help on how to use Tablet Mode.

The final pre-release build of this branch adds the ability to purchase wi-fi connections via the Windows Store. At the time, this feature was only available at Seattle, WA.[68]

This is the first released to manufacturing (RTM) build of Windows 10. It was released to device manufacturers to be preloaded on their devices. This is also the build that was sold to retail stores in a USB installation media for customers who would like to purchase the operating system as a standalone retail product.

Commonly referred to as "Day One Patch", this is the first general availability build. It is the update users received when they upgraded to Windows 10 through the free upgrade offer or after checking for updates on PCs preloaded with Windows 10.

This cumulative update to Windows 10 adds new functionality to Microsoft Edge. For websites that display dialogue boxes multiple times, Microsoft Edge now provides a checkbox on the dialogue box to prevent further dialog boxes to pop up.[96]

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