Windows 10 build 10074 released to Fast and Slow Ring Insiders

After showing off some of the new features in Windows 10 at today's Build 2015 Day 1 keynote Windows Insiders in both the Fast and Slow Rings can try out the newest version.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

April 29, 2015

3 Min Read
Windows 10 build 10074 released to Fast and Slow Ring Insiders

After showing off some of the new features in Windows 10 at today's Build 2015 Day 1 keynote Windows Insiders in both the Fast and Slow Rings can try out the newest version. That release to the Slow Ring also means the ISOs are immediately available for download so you can clean install this new build.

Microsoft announced the availability of the latest build in a blog post by the Ring Master Gabe Aul.

According to the blog post this build brings back some highly requested Aero Glass elements in the user interface and the development of the OS continues to benefit greatly from the input of Windows Insiders. In fact, Insiders received a nice shout out in one of the Windows 10 keynote videos today.

As you prepare to update to this new build here are some of the new features you will see:

  • General UI improvements throughout including a new Live Tile animation on the Start Menu.

  • Improved high DPI display support.

  • An A/B test is in place for the return of Aero Glass and if it is widely accepted it could return in other areas of the OS and not just in the Start Screen/Menu transparency.

  • Continuum gets the simplified taskbar we saw in today's keynote demo and closing an app returns to the Start Screen in Tablet Mode.

  • Improvements with multi-tasking with  Alt-Tab, Task-View, and Snap Assist.

  • Updated default Windows sounds.

  • Cortana visual changes as shown during the Day 1 keynote. She also gets some Bing Instant Answers integration and several new questions she can answer.

  • Updates to Music, Video and Xbox Apps

  • Windows Store Beta, now with the Blue tile, has been expanded to 41 markets and Xbox Live games and in app purchases should be working.

Microsoft did fix some of the issues in build 10061 that should improve the experience including:

  • You can now launch Win32 (desktop) apps from the Start menu again. 

  • You should be able to download music in the Xbox Music and Music Preview apps.

  • When you minimize an app playing audio, it should continue playing in the background.

As with any of these preview builds there are some known issues so make sure you are informed before clicking the install or update button:

  • Developers cannot enable Developer Mode in the Settings app for installing and testing apps on this build. We’ll enable this in an upcoming build. In the meantime, you will need enable your device for development using the Group Policy Editor.

  • There is an issue in this build preventing some games from playing in full screen mode. We’re working to get a fix out via WU as soon as possible.

  • The People app continues to crash. We’re planning to release an update for the People app through the Store Beta that fixes this.

This build can be installed by going to Windows Update on your current Windows 10 Technical Preview system and checking for it or you can go to the Windows Insider website and download the 10074 ISOs directly.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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