Windows 10 recognises 'desktop is not dead' - partners
Channel voices offer mixed reception as Microsoft aims to overcome struggles of Windows 8 with the launch of new OS
Last week Microsoft unveiled the first details of its next operating system (OS), Windows 10, and the channel is hoping that it will overcome the failings of its last version, and recognise "the desktop is not dead".
Windows 8 was widely criticised for its design, particularly for its lack of a Start button and Microsoft launched Windows 8.1 in October 2013 to address some of the issues raised.
The latest instalment bypasses the Windows 9 moniker and the vendor claims Windows 10 is centred on familiarity and consistency across devices.
As well as the return of the Start menu, Windows 10 will also feature Continuum, which detects the state of the computer and presents the right interface accordingly, and a unity across PCs, Windows tablets and Windows smartphones with one interface and one way of operating across these platforms.
High hopes from the channel
Paul Marsh, the head of infrastructure services at Avanade, an IT consultancy firm partnered with Microsoft, said Windows 10 is "recognition from Microsoft that the desktop is not dead".
"The desktop is not going away, and this is recognition that the changes to Windows 8 were possibly a step too far, and it needed to provide an interface that would be great for both desktops and touch screens and not have such impact on the end user with the learning curve on the interface," Marsh said.
Cliff Dabbs, solutions architect at RedPixie, a Microsoft reseller, said: "The key part of Windows 10 is that Microsoft is listening to feedback. They have made a lot of changes that are fairly progressive but are fairly familiar.
"Windows 10 is shaping up to be the next go-to OS that people are waitng for"
"A big barrier on Windows 8 was the lack of the Start menu and the lack of familiarity, but what I see instantly in Windows 10 is the familiarity from past [operating systems] is back," Dabbs said.
Dabbs also commented that the changes with the new Windows needed to happen for Microsoft to remain competitive in the marketplace and that "Windows 10 is shaping up to be the next go-to OS that people are waiting for".
Windows 8 and 8.1 did not persuade as many customers to upgrade as previous incarnations OS, such as Windows 7 and XP.
Simon Townsend, chief technology officer at AppSense commented: "In research we carried out earlier this year we found that more than three quarters of UK businesses still use Windows XP, despite the fact it is now 12 years old, so firms are likely to move straight to Windows 10."
In March Windows 8 and 8.1 had a combined market share of 10.7 per cent, compared to 47.3 per cent for Windows 7
An FOI investigation by CRN in March showed that six per cent of local councils were upgrading from XP to a combination of Windows 8 and Windows 7, but the vast majority - 92 per cent - said they were migrating to Windows 7. It was also reported in March that Windows 8 and 8.1 had a combined market share of 10.7 per cent, compared to 47.3 per cent for Windows 7.
For some in the channel there is a concern that the changes in Windows 10 will not distance Microsoft from the failings of its last OS.
Andy Trish, the managing director of NCI Technologies, a Microsoft VAR, said he felt Microsoft has not communicated what the selling point of Windows 10 is to customers.
"My honest feelings are that customers aren't going to buy it just because they put a start menu back up and my customers don't really care whether the same interface is there.
"If Microsoft want to sell Windows 10 they need to tell us what the advantages are and at the moment they haven't done that," Trish said.