Microsoft has plans to release the technical preview version of Win9 at the end of September. As soon as this news came out, it immediately triggered a strong reaction among old Windows users. What everyone is most concerned about is whether this new system can solve the various discomforts caused by Win8, and at the same time, it can also bring truly valuable innovations.
Return to classic visual elements
Many users who upgraded from Win7 to Win8 were disappointed because the latter removed the Aero frosted glass effect. This visual effect is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also related to the intuitive identification of the window's layering. Apple, on the other hand, has added a similar translucency effect to the latest Mac OS system, which has put pressure on Microsoft. Therefore, Win9 is very likely to provide a switch that enables the Aero effect, so that desktop users can independently choose a familiar interface style to balance aesthetics and performance.
In order to improve the battery life of tablets and simplify the interface, Microsoft ignored the experience of desktop users on Win8. If Win9 can provide an Aero option, this will be a pragmatic compromise. It can not only satisfy the preference of traditional users for classic visuals, but will not force all users to accept it. It also reflects Microsoft's efforts to listen to the voices of different user groups.
Start Menu Changes and Compromises
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Win8 canceled the traditional start menu and adopted a full-screen "Start Screen". This became one of the key reasons for its neglect in the market. Many business users and ordinary consumers refused to upgrade just because of this, and chose to stay with Win7. Microsoft is aware of the serious consequences of this decision, and the continued growth of Win7's share is an extremely direct feedback.
In view of this, the Win9 desktop version will have a built-in mini start menu, which combines the classic layout of Win7 and the dynamic tiles of Win8. As for the version for ARM tablet devices, the full-screen Metro interface will continue to be enhanced. The purpose of this differentiation strategy is to use different product lines to cater to the different habits of keyboard and mouse users and touch users, and to prevent similar mistakes from happening again.
IE browser performance leap
What is called "Enterprise Mode" introduced in IE11 is an important improvement. It has the feature of allowing the browser to switch between the new IE11 kernel and the old IE8-compatible kernel. This feature allows enterprises to successfully run legacy, internal web applications while still benefiting from modern web standards. Such a design significantly improves the overall compatibility and fluency of the browser.
Microsoft has promised that the next generation of IE12 browser will become faster and more powerful. The team is working on optimizing its JavaScript engine and rendering speed, with the aim of narrowing the performance gap with competitors such as Chrome and Firefox. At the same time, memory management will be enhanced to maintain system responsiveness even if a large number of tabs are opened.
A real improvement in desktop efficiency
Although the application split screen function of Win8.1 has made some progress, it is still not very convenient for desktop users. Win9 is expected to enable Modern applications to run in windows, which means they can be dragged, resized and minimized at will like traditional programs. This will greatly improve multi-tasking efficiency and fill the experience gap between desktop and touch applications.
Another important change is to remove the Charms super sidebar. This shortcut menu specially designed for touch is redundant and inconvenient when operating with keyboard and mouse. The Win9 desktop version will most likely cancel it and integrate its functions into a more reasonable system area, so that the desktop operation logic returns to a concise and efficient state.
Graphics and gaming experience upgrades
The introduction of DirectX 12 has become a major technical highlight of Win9. Early tests have shown that on the same hardware, DX12 can increase the number of game frames from 19 frames to 33 frames, with a performance increase of more than 70%. At the same time, the power consumption of the CPU can be reduced by half, which is a major benefit for gamers and developers.
Nvidia has expressed its attitude, AMD has expressed its attitude, and Intel has also expressed its attitude. All the existing large numbers of DX11 level graphics cards will support DX12. What this means is that users do not need to replace hardware immediately to enjoy the dividends brought by new technologies. In addition, Win9 will continue to improve its support for Kinect somatosensory technology, thereby expanding its application scenarios in games and home entertainment.
Intelligent assistant integrated into the system
What users can wake up through voice input or clicking on small icons will appear as an independent application in Win9. It can help users manage schedules, search for information, and control computer settings to achieve more natural human-computer interaction. It turns out to be Microsoft's voice assistant Cortana, which is no longer limited to mobile platforms.
Microsoft has formulated a plan to update Cortana's services and functions at least twice a month. Until the official release of Win9, this intelligent assistant will become smarter and better able to understand user habits. It embodies Microsoft's core strategy of creating a unified experience across devices, which is to allow computers to respond to voice commands in the same convenient state as a mobile phone.
Facing the upcoming Win9, which new feature are you most looking forward to, and which aspect are you most worried about that Microsoft will once again disappoint old users? Welcome to share your views in the comment area. If you find this article helpful, don’t forget to like and forward it.