Windows 10 is getting biggest update in a decade — what to expect

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When Microsoft appear that Windows 10 would be the last version of its OS it was obvious that information technology was taking a different arroyo to its all-time-known product. For home users that has been a practiced thing; no more expensive updates when a new version ships, just an ongoing and steady upgrade to the Bone as time goes on. In many ways, it mimics Apple tree's approach to macOS.

At this year's Build conference, Microsoft's developer issue, its CEO Satya Nadella made some remarks that confirm the mix of rumor and leaks nosotros've seen for several months now. Nadella'due south keynote included some words from him about what'south adjacent for Windows and how it would change things for the amend.

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Every bit reported by Windows Cardinal, Nadella said, "Soon we volition share ane of the most significant updates to Windows of the by decade to unlock greater economical opportunity for developers and creators. I've been self-hosting it over the past several months and I'one thousand incredibly excited virtually the next generation of Windows. Our hope to you lot is this: We will create more opportunity for every Windows programmer today and welcome every creator who is looking for the most innovative, new, open platform to build and distribute and monetize applications. We look forward to sharing more very soon."

Nadella is clearly talking hither almost the alter to how Microsoft handles its app ecosystem. Since Windows ten launched the visitor has tried to go people to use the Microsoft Store, which is included with the Os. The problem has been that information technology's been a sluggish mess. It's not hyperbole to say that it is one of the three worst things in Windows x (the other two are its jumble of ancient UI elements and its godawful search).

When the new version of Windows launches Microsoft is aiming at getting far more developers to utilise the Microsoft Store and it'south seemingly happy to make concessions for that to happen. Currently apps from the store can just be built in the "mod" Universal Windows Platform (UWP) which is used across Microsoft products like Xbox, HoloLens and diverse IoT devices. The plan, notwithstanding, is to permit developers to distribute any app on the platform, including the more common Win32 applications.

Starting in Baronial Microsoft will cut the commission it takes on store purchases down to 12%. Companies can also opt not to use Microsoft's purchasing organization, and use their ain system, which means they pay nothing to Microsoft. This allows companies like Adobe to sell subscriptions via its website, rather than fork over a percentage of its profit to Microsoft.

These changes should aid make the Microsoft Store more viable, to some extent. It'southward reasonable to suggest that it needs a massive overhaul in full general to be a place people desire to get for apps. And information technology does give some assurance to users that their apps will be virus-costless.

With a bunch of visual updates too due at that place's some exciting stuff on the horizon for Windows ten. We're keen to see some of the legacy interfaces removed from the OS, but it'due south unclear if that'southward happening in this update, or perhaps later down the line.

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Ian has been involved in technology journalism since 2007, originally writing about AV hardware back when LCDs and plasma TVs were only gaining popularity. Nearly 15 years on, he remains as excited as ever about how tech can make your life meliorate. Ian is the editor of T3.com but has likewise regularly contributed to Tom'due south Guide.