Microsoft to show off consumer side of Windows 10

Microsoft is getting ready for its next version of Windows.

In September the tech giant unveiled the first glimpses of its successor to Windows 8.1, dubbed Windows 10, and while there were some consumer features demoed the presentation was primarily enterprise- and developer-focused. Microsoft looks to change that early next year, announcing on Thursdaythat it plans to hold an event on Jan. 21 at its Redmond, Washington, headquarters where it is expected to detail the consumer side of the new operating system.


Windows 10 looks to be a major release,with the new operating system sporting an updated interface aimed at fixing some shortcomings of Windows 8 on non-touchscreen devices as well as unifying the software across the company's Windows PC, Windows Phone and Xbox lines. Microsoft is hoping that the single Windows 10 operating system designed to be deployed across the various platforms will increase developer support for all three, an area that has been a problem for the company's Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone software.

Microsoft is expected to release Windows 10 later next year.

While the company has briefly shown what Windows 10 will look like on PCs and tablets, it has yet to show off how it would work on Windows Phone and the Xbox One. That should also change at this event. In addition to CEO Satya Nadella, also expected to speak are Xbox head Phil Spencer and execs Joe Belfiore and Terry Myerson. Belfiore and Meyerson oversee the company's Operating System Group that is responsible for the Windows experience on PCs, phones and tablets.

Microsoft did show off a few consumer features at its September event, including Continuum, an easier way to switch between the laptop and tablet modes on many Windows 8.1 devices. The company also demoed a new Start menu for Windows 10 that replaces the homescreen-like layout currently found in Windows 8.1 with a hybrid reminiscent of a cross between it and the traditional pop-up Start menu found in Windows 7. In addition to the new interface, recent leaks suggest that Microsoft will also be bringing its Cortana digital assistant to Windows 10.



USA Today will have full coverage of Microsoft's event next month.