Windows 9 Technical Preview Release Tipped for October: Details About Start Menu, Modern Apps and File Explorer

The public release for the Technical Preview version of Windows 9 "Threshold' is reportedly expected to commence in October.

Well-known tech blogger Paul Thurrott claims to have received details about a new build 9841 of the Threshold update. However, it is unclear whether build 9841 is the final version, which will be released to public as the Technical Preview version of Windows 9.

He has highlighted some of the key features, from the leaked build, which are likely to be part of Windows 9.

Start Menu

Thurrott's report confirms that Windows 9 will mark the return of Start menu, a new and enhanced version having functionality from both the Windows 7 and Windows 8 Start screens.

Users can pin items such as desktop applications, modern apps, folders, and contacts to the Start menu. The pinned items will appear on the right side of the menu as tiles, which can be resized and positioned accordingly. The Start menu can also be resized.

The left side of the Start menu will have most recently used (MRU) list, 'All Apps' link, and a search box. Above these there will be two new items: users account name and power button.

Modern apps

The leaked build further suggests the Technical Preview version will have modern mobile apps for photos, music, movies, email, etc. The Windows Store for Windows 9 will remain unchanged from Windows 8.1.

The modern apps will run in floating windows, which has a new 'Option' button, to the right of the window control button to offer app commands and system commands. The charms bar will be present on touch screen devices, but it can be accessed with touch only.

The report furthermore reveals that Technical Preview contains the apps running on Windows 8.1. The 'Task view' button on the taskbar can be used to switch between the running apps.

File Explorer

The Technical Preview integrates an improved version of File Explorer, which includes a Home location found in the default view.

Other notable offerings from Windows 9 include a Share button on the Share tab in File Explorer and advanced PC settings that can be accessed from control panel.

Release

Microsoft has already sent out invitations for the 30 September press event, where the company is likely to unveil the Technical Preview version of Windows 9. However, the public version of Technical Preview will be released in October.