14 DAY TRIAL // Has anyone counted how many times Joe Belfiore and Terry Myerson actually said “Windows 7” during the Windows 10 unveiling event in San Francisco?
Probably nobody, but after watching the official conference video twice today, we can tell you that Windows 7 was after Windows 10 the second most important thing for Microsoft.
And the reason is as simple as it could be: Redmond says that Windows 10 is a significantly improved version of Windows 7 that comes with enhancements for the desktop in a way never seen before. Not even in Windows 8, which was often referred to as “an improved version of Windows 7” that also brings a touch-optimized interface for tablets.
The Windows 8 plan has failed to materialize, so Microsoft is trying the same strategy one more time, saying that Windows 10 is based on Windows 7, but also brings quite a lot of new features.
A mix of Windows 7 and Windows 8
Joe Belfiore, who’s in charge of everything mobile at Microsoft, says that Windows 10 is a cocktail made of Windows 7 and Windows 8, so elements belonging to both can be seen in this new OS.
“It gives the familiarity of Windows 7 with some of the elements of Windows 8,” he said.
And the Start menu is living proof. The new menu is based on the layout seen in Windows 7, but also adds new options, such as live tiles, obviously inspired from Windows 8’s Start screen.
“We have a massive amount of users who know Windows 7 well, and Windows 8 users who know touch well. We need something that works for both,” he added. “We're looking to find the balance, so that all the Windows 7 users get a familiar experience on the devices they already have.”
The desktop works better on Windows 7
Microsoft also admits that the desktop is much better in Windows 7, so it’s no surprise that Windows 10 is built on these features to bring back full desktop functionality for those with a mouse and keyboard.
“If you look at Windows 8 users on touch devices, they have higher satisfaction than those on Windows 7 devices. Windows 7 users have higher satisfaction on mouse and keyboard devices than Windows 8,” Belfiore explained.
Microsoft hasn’t confirmed it yet, but it appears that the company is looking to offer some incentives to those on Windows 7 and willing to move to Windows 10, but more information on this is very likely to surface in early 2015 when the final product is expected to come out.