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Windows 'Threshold Microsoft's plan to win over Windows 7 users
Over at ZDnet Mary Jo wrote an intersting article on Microsoft's main goals with 'Threshold,' the next major version of Windows, is to win over Windows 7 hold-outs. According her this update arrive around Spring 2015. One of the main goals of this new release, which may or may not be called Windows 9, will be to bring Windows 7 users back to the fold.
Threshold will reportedly have lots of new features specifically aimed at desktops users and will reportedly have a different look based on your hardware type:
And not too surprisingly, one of the Microsoft Operating Systems Group's main goals in designing and developing the coming operating system (OS) release — which may or may not ultimately be branded as "Windows 9" — is to try to make it more palatable to hold-out Windows 7 users.
In order to do this, Microsoft is working on including in Threshold lots of new features specifically aimed at "desktop" users, meaning those who interact primarily with their Windows computing device from a desktop or laptop PC with mouse/keyboard and optional touch.
With Windows 8.1 Update, Microsoft officials designed Windows around a set of profiles based on the hardware specifications of the devices in use. Certain devices running Windows 8.1 Update include Power and Search buttons on the Metro-style Start screen; others don't. Some of those running Windows 8.1 Update have their machines start up by default in the Desktop/Win32 legacy environment, while others on touch/mobile-first devices start up in the Metro-Style Start Menu by default.
According to my sources, Microsoft will continue in this vein with Windows Threshold. The Threshold OS will look and work differently based on hardware type.
Users running Threshold on a desktop/laptop will get a SKU, or version, that puts the Windows Desktop (for running Win32/legacy apps) front and center. Two-in-one devices, like the Lenovo Yoga or Surface Pro, will support switching between the Metro-Style mode and the Windowed mode, based on whether or not keyboards are connected or disconnected.
The combined Phone/Tablet SKU of Threshold won't have a Desktop environment at all, but still will support apps running side by side, my sources are reconfirming. This "Threshold Mobile" SKU will work on ARM-based Windows Phones (not just Lumias), ARM-based Windows tablets and, I believe, Intel-Atom-based tablets.
One of Microsoft's primary missions with Threshold is to try to undo the usability mistakes made with Windows 8 for those who prefer and/or are stuck with devices that are not touch-first and for which keyboard/mouse use is of central importance.
The Desktop/laptop SKU of Threshold will include, as previously rumored, the Mini-Start menu — a new version of the traditional Microsoft Start menu, an early concept of which Microsoft showed off at the company's Build developers conference in April. It also will include the ability to run Metro-Style/Windows Store apps in windows on the Desktop. Will it turn off completely the Metro-Style Start screen with its live-tile interface, as Neowin is reporting, and make the tiled Start screen a toggleable option from the Mini Start menu? I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised.
(Update: It's worth pointing out the Mini Start menu is expected to be customizable. Users will be able to include Metro-Style apps or remove all Metro Style apps/tiles from the menu so that only Desktop apps are included in the Mini Start menu — either as tiles or in list form.)
Between now and Threshold: What's next?
Before Threshold is released next spring, Microsoft is expected to deliver a public preview of the Threshold release, most likely in the fall of 2014, my sources say.
And before that, Microsoft will deliver a second and final update for Windows 8.1. Since Microsoft officials decided earlier this year to make the Mini Start Menu part of Threshold instead of Update 2, there's not a whole lot of new features of note coming in Update 2. There may be some UI adjustments and tweaks, but nothing hugely noticeable, my sources claim.
Windows 8.1 Update 2 should be code complete any time now and will be locked down about two weeks before August Patch Tuesday, my sources say. (August Patch Tuesday is on August 12.) Microsoft may opt to not make a big deal out of Update 2 and just push it out quietly as part of the set of August patches, I hear.
The Microsoft OS team is hoping to get as many Windows 7 users moved to Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows 8 users to Windows 8.1 Update in preparation for (hopefully) getting them to move to Threshold once it is out. It's still early in the Windows development cycle for Microsoft to have decided on packaging, pricing and distribution, but my sources say, at this point, that Windows Threshold is looking like it could be free to all Windows 8.1 Update, and maybe even Windows 7 Service Pack 1, users.
Microsoft is basically "done" with Windows 8.x. Regardless of how usable or functional it is or isn't, it has become Microsoft's Vista 2.0 — something from which Microsoft needs to distance itself, perception-wise. At this point, Microsoft is going full-steam-ahead toward Threshold and will do its best to differentiate that OS release from Windows 8.
Microsoft might disable Live Tiles in a Future Windows Desktop versions - 07/01/2014 08:32 AM
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Windows 8.1 Update 2 Could Debut in July - 06/30/2014 08:50 AM
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Windows 8.1 Update 2 Coming - 06/23/2014 08:21 AM
Windows 8.1 Update 2 is getting close to a release and may hit the RTM (release-to-manufacturing) phase in July already, so Microsoft could launch it in August or September. The new update will bring ...
Rexob
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Posts: 73
Joined: 2014-05-07
#4863153 Posted on: 07/02/2014 03:06 PM
For years my business used XP and we finally had to upgrade to 7 since MS dropped XP. 7 looks, feels, and operates almost identical to XP. 8 changed EVERYTHING, now I realize it's not awful, and use it at home. However, for a business - changes like that are a massive headache.
I'm not interested in how inefficient the Start menu actually is, what is important is that the business NOT interrupt daily productivity trying to learn a new OS. My work uses tablets for mobility and convenience, but when we're at our desks - we use dekstops and do not want a "hip new metro" look.
For years my business used XP and we finally had to upgrade to 7 since MS dropped XP. 7 looks, feels, and operates almost identical to XP. 8 changed EVERYTHING, now I realize it's not awful, and use it at home. However, for a business - changes like that are a massive headache.
I'm not interested in how inefficient the Start menu actually is, what is important is that the business NOT interrupt daily productivity trying to learn a new OS. My work uses tablets for mobility and convenience, but when we're at our desks - we use dekstops and do not want a "hip new metro" look.
Evildead666
Senior Member
Posts: 1309
Joined: 2003-09-14
Senior Member
Posts: 1309
Joined: 2003-09-14
#4863154 Posted on: 07/02/2014 03:07 PM
At work, we'll be sticking with Win7 for many years to come.
I'm only just weaning the last XP users off their OS.
The company I work for did take their sweet time migrating to 7, but that is their own fault.
Many companies I know started to get Win7 validated during the Public Beta phase, they knew, we all knew, it was 7 that was going to replace XP.
Win8 in its current form will never replace Win7.
once I explained that the whole workforce would have to go on a course to learn how to use Win8, including me, they looked a little shocked.
They hadn't thought of this.
Personally, I'll be staying on Win7 at home, hoping that game devs remember that OpenGL 4 exists, and that the whole world doesn't revolve around Microsofts bloated arse.
I really only have Windows because the majority of Games are available, only, on it.
I think i'll be installing Linux this summer, and playing with that a bit more.
Anyone I know who had a problem going from XP to Win7 or Win8, went to Ubuntu.
Microsoft won't be winning those people back. ever.
Microsoft is dying, its had its time.
It was nice while it lasted, but they got too cocky, and too sure of themselves.
"Thanks for everything, but don't let the door hit your arse on the way out..."
At work, we'll be sticking with Win7 for many years to come.
I'm only just weaning the last XP users off their OS.
The company I work for did take their sweet time migrating to 7, but that is their own fault.
Many companies I know started to get Win7 validated during the Public Beta phase, they knew, we all knew, it was 7 that was going to replace XP.
Win8 in its current form will never replace Win7.
once I explained that the whole workforce would have to go on a course to learn how to use Win8, including me, they looked a little shocked.
They hadn't thought of this.
Personally, I'll be staying on Win7 at home, hoping that game devs remember that OpenGL 4 exists, and that the whole world doesn't revolve around Microsofts bloated arse.
I really only have Windows because the majority of Games are available, only, on it.
I think i'll be installing Linux this summer, and playing with that a bit more.
Anyone I know who had a problem going from XP to Win7 or Win8, went to Ubuntu.
Microsoft won't be winning those people back. ever.
Microsoft is dying, its had its time.
It was nice while it lasted, but they got too cocky, and too sure of themselves.
"Thanks for everything, but don't let the door hit your arse on the way out..."
Mateja
Senior Member
Posts: 101
Joined: 2014-02-01
Senior Member
Posts: 101
Joined: 2014-02-01
#4863157 Posted on: 07/02/2014 03:09 PM
For years my business used XP and we finally had to upgrade to 7 since MS dropped XP. 7 looks, feels, and operates almost identical to XP. 8 changed EVERYTHING, now I realize it's not awful, and use it at home. However, for a business - changes like that are a massive headache.
I'm not interested in how inefficient the Start menu actually is, what is important is that the business NOT interrupt daily productivity trying to learn a new OS. My work uses tablets for mobility and convenience, but when we're at our desks - we use dekstops and do not want a "hip new metro" look.
yep. it's almost like Microsoft is forcing us to sit down all day ; ; ... why would they ever think it's a good idea to totally ban a desktop environment on tablets.
For years my business used XP and we finally had to upgrade to 7 since MS dropped XP. 7 looks, feels, and operates almost identical to XP. 8 changed EVERYTHING, now I realize it's not awful, and use it at home. However, for a business - changes like that are a massive headache.
I'm not interested in how inefficient the Start menu actually is, what is important is that the business NOT interrupt daily productivity trying to learn a new OS. My work uses tablets for mobility and convenience, but when we're at our desks - we use dekstops and do not want a "hip new metro" look.
yep. it's almost like Microsoft is forcing us to sit down all day ; ; ... why would they ever think it's a good idea to totally ban a desktop environment on tablets.
Grand Master
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: 2014-07-01
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: 2014-07-01
#4863176 Posted on: 07/02/2014 03:31 PM
Well its far away several years in my point till DX12 become common.As u see still lots of games uses DX10 or even DX9 API.Of course im not developer but my personal believe is that new DX versions didnt bring that much (if at all) to the table.I mean its rather a dirty trick to force people buy new hardwares or new versions of Windows.For example witcher 2 is a DX9 game just look at the graphics of the game and power of the UberSampling.Please correct me if im wrong.
Well its far away several years in my point till DX12 become common.As u see still lots of games uses DX10 or even DX9 API.Of course im not developer but my personal believe is that new DX versions didnt bring that much (if at all) to the table.I mean its rather a dirty trick to force people buy new hardwares or new versions of Windows.For example witcher 2 is a DX9 game just look at the graphics of the game and power of the UberSampling.Please correct me if im wrong.
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Joined: 2014-02-01
"The combined Phone/Tablet SKU of Threshold won't have a Desktop environment at all, but still will support apps running side by side"
...and in the very next bit of information...
"One of Microsoft's primary missions with Threshold is to try to undo the usability mistakes made with Windows 8 for those who prefer and/or are stuck with devices that are not touch-first and for which keyboard/mouse use is of central importance."
...does anyone see the fatal flaw with this? it's a direct contradiction. how are they going to fix my usability issues by TOTALLY banning the desktop environment??? how does this in any way solve the problem? idc if it's touch first. I can connect a smartphone to my smart tv and a keyboard. I want a desktop option on every single device (start menu I really don't care about). that said, I am excited. I am sure it will be an improvement in many ways just as 8/8.1 were over 7... as long as I can still find ways to do what I need to do. and as long as it looks pretty lol.