My prognostication is still intact.
I have been saying for a couple of weeks that I believed there would be two more builds for Windows Insiders before the general availability of Windows 10 on 29 July 2015.
Microsoft's release of Windows 10 Build 10158 to Insiders late on this Monday afternoon still keeps us on track for at least one more build - possible a Release Candidate level build. I guess we will see how that all ultimately pans out but for today we have a new build to get up and running.
The tweet from our Ring Master hit the airwaves just before 6 PM Eastern Time so that sudden whoosh you heard all over the world was hungry Windows Insiders heading to their computers to download this latest build.
The timing is right smack in the middle of the 60 day period between our last build, 10130, and the expected General Availability on 29 July 2015.
By far the biggest addition in this build is the fully branded Microsoft Edge and it has picked up a big list of new features:
- One of the top pieces of feedback we’ve heard from Windows Insiders is that many of you really wanted a “home” button for Microsoft Edge. In this build, we’ve provided an option for you to add it via Settings > Advanced Settings and turn on “Show the home button”.
- We’ve added the ability for you to import favorites/bookmarks from other browsers into Microsoft Edge.
- There are new options for changing what you see when you first start Microsoft Edge.
- There are new customizations for the New Tab page. You can choose to either see top sites and suggested content – or just top sites.
- We’ve added password and form-fill support. Microsoft Edge now lets you manage your passwords for your favorite websites.
- Audio from Microsoft Edge plays while the app is minimized or in the background – another top request from Windows Insiders.
- You can drag and drop tabs to a new window.
- Another top request: we now have a dark theme!
Among the improved user experience there are fixes for Continuum and Tablet Mode including better handling of Windows 8.1 and Win32 apps. A new gesture has been added that allows you to open the All Apps list with a swipe up from the left side of the screen.
Taskbar icons that are trying to get your attention will now flash orange and downloads are once again green and animate horizontally instead of vertically. Apparently that horizontal vs vertical was a big piece of feedback from Insiders.
Cortana has received some updates with her Notebook now being final and has a combined Profile and Settings area along with the consolidated sidebar menu. She has joined other areas of the OS and received her own dark theme as well. For Office 365 users on a company opted into the First Release for Office 365 Cortana is now integrated with Office 365.
There is an update for the Photos app on Windows 10 in the Windows Store Beta that adds new features including support for GIF files - anther top Insider request.
The improved Snipping Tool is also in this build and adds a delay option to make it easier to grab images of context and pop-up menus.
Surface Pro 3 users have fixes in this build to improve battery life and Surface can finally install Windows 10 now as this build ahs the updated Cherry Trail drivers that had been missing before.
The biggest issue with this build will shock you - there are no known issues with this build. The first time since the Windows Insider Program began.
It is a good sign that the quality level is on the rise and considering the proximity to RTM it should be expected.
Enjoy and keep an eye out for more coverage on this new build tomorrow.
