Leaked screenshots of Windows Blue / Windows 9

Leaked Windows Blue screenshot Windows 9 startscreen leaked picture

An early build of Windows Blue, the next version of Windows, has been leaked on the web on the same day that Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer celebrated his birthday (57). Build 9364, a partner version that was originally compiled on 15 March, has been made available on popular file sharing networks and includes some of the new changes that Microsoft is building into Windows Blue and Windows Phone Blue. Leaked screenshots uploaded to various forums clearly demonstrate that Microsoft is bringing smaller tile arrangements and even a larger desktop one to the Windows Blue Start Screen, hand-in-hand with increased control over the color personalization options, and some other things.

Windows Blue 9 snapview

Additional snap-views places apps side-by-side

With Windows Blue, Microsoft is building in additional Snap Views, allowing users to place apps side-by-side in the Windows Blue view. The new 50/50 view is somewhat the same as the desktop mode snapping, but Windows Blue will also support up to four different snapped apps alongside each other. A new alarm, sound recorder, movie moments, as well as a brand new calculator WIndows 8 -style apps will also take advantage of these new views, but developers are able to update their apps to support the Windows Blue Snap Views and other API changes that come new in Windows Blue. The snapping improvements also apply to multi-screen support, where you can now run individual Windows 8-style apps across multiple monitors.

Windows Blue 9 startscreen leaked screenshot picture

Touch-friendly settings


Other improvements in Windows Blue include a number of new options in the current style settings screen. Microsoft seems to be adding all needed settings to ensure tablet users don't have to drop to the desktop Control Panel to change things. With Windows Blue, SkyDrive options are present, and seem to show an enhanced integration with auto camlue also comes with an app settings section with options to change default apps and information on app sizes.

Withe the Windows Blue update Microsoft is also making changes to its Charms. The Devices Charm includes a new play option, which looks similar to the existing PlayTo options found in Windows 8. On the Share Charm there's a new screenshot option that lets you quickly share an image with applications. Internet Explorer 11 is also included in Blue, although it's not immediately clear from the leaked screenshots what improvements have been made. A tab sync feature appears in some screenshots, suggesting that Microsoft is planning to make tabs available on additional Windows Blue devices.

Internet Explorer 11 IE11 leaked screenshot picture Windows Blue

Touch users can also use new gestures throughout Windows Blue. On the Start Screen you can swipe up from the bottom to bring up a list of all apps, and in the desktop mode you can swipe up or down to reveal a desktop app bar that provides access to snap, projector settings, and more. We're looking into other leaked features and screenshots so we'll update you on any other additions. Windows Blue is expected to enter public preview over the coming months, with a full release due later this year.
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