14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 build 10074 got leaked yesterday, but after the first day of the BUILD 2015 developer conference, Microsoft has decided to release it to all members of the Windows Insider program and thus give them a chance to try out the very latest features implemented in Windows 10.
Build 10074 is available for both fast and slow ring users, so everyone should be seeing it in Windows Update, with the new version delivered as all the other updates through the built-in auto-update system.
The new release comes with a number of improvements, including a new UI for Cortana, which is now integrated into the Start menu and better fits the desktop, but also with additional visual tweaks for the Start menu, now featuring a blur effect just like Aero in Windows 7.
Joe Belfiore said at BUILD 2015 that Microsoft wanted to bring back the familiarity from Windows 7, so the Start menu was specifically tweaked to work and feel more like the one in Windows 8’s predecessor.
Dark theme and new live tile effects
At the same time, the dark theme is enabled by default, which could be living proof that Microsoft might actually ship Windows 10 with this new visual style as default setting.
Live tiles showing up in the Start menu also boast a new 3D effect when refreshing, but this is still in its early days, so there’s a lot of work to be done in this department.
All in all, Windows 10 build 10074 is bringing more refinements to the new operating system and shows that Microsoft is advancing at the desired pace towards the scheduled summer 2015 release date.
The new version is baptized “Windows Insider Preview,” and this could be another sign that Redmond is indeed satisfied with how work on Windows 10 is advancing to eventually reach RTM in June or July.
Windows 10 build 10074 screenshots are available here.