14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 build 10074 got leaked earlier today directly from Microsoft’s servers, so anyone who wants to see what’s new in this build can download and install it on their PCs.
Build 10074 comes with several important changes proving that Windows 10 is now a more refined operating system that’s getting closer to RTM, so it works faster, it seems to be more stable, and it features several visual improvements on the desktop.
The Start menu has received several tweaks, so it now looks even better than before, with live tiles that are featuring a 3D effect when refreshing. That’s right, live tiles now come with a new animation, but only a few seem to have it for now.
Cortana is now integrated into the Start menu, so when launching the personal assistant, its window extends to the Start menu and covers the whole left side of the screen. Cortana also features a hamburger menu that provides access to all of its features, so it’s pretty clear that the hamburger is here to stay in Windows 10.
Dark theme for the win
The dark theme is once again installed by default in build 10074, so this could be a sign that the final version of Windows 10 due this summer could come with this new visual style from the very beginning.
It does look good and it certainly makes the desktop seem fresh and modern, so with a few more refinements here and there, there’s no doubt that it would have what it needs to become the default setting in Windows 10.
Aside from these, there are also some other small improvements, including a horizontal volume controller and a new clock (also seen in build 10061).
There are some bugs too, including one that does not allow you to launch apps from the search box when typing the full app’s name. Spartan and Internet Explorer aren’t pinned to the taskbar, so you need to manually launch them from the Start menu or the search box.
