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Windows 10 first Insider Build was released Oct 1st, 2014
Wow it has been 3 years since the first Windows 10 insider build was released. It seems so long ago, but also it seem so recent.
Amazing how much it has changed from build 9841 to build 17004.
Keep up the good work Microsoft…
Dream Slate or Tablet (throw back)
This is a couple days after Microsoft big Windows 10 Device event. With the announcement of the new Surface Pro 4 and the Surface book it got me to thinking about what I am using and what I want in a device. I happened to look back to some notes that I had made back in April 2012 of the features that I was looking for for my dream slate\tablet device. This was before the release of the first generation of the Surface Pro line (June 2012). This was also after owning and using an assortment of underwhelming slates\tablets. Well this was my list in OneNote.
Screen Size of around 10” (aspect ratio 3:2 not 16:9)
5 hours of battery
128GB SSD
i5 Core processer (x64)
(2) USB slots
Full SD Card or MicroSD
Detachable Keyboard
HDMI (Mini)
Pen Silo
Wacom Digitizer
MicroUSB Charging
Well it is 2015, what am I using now. My main work machine is the Surface Pro 3 (i7/8GB/256GB) device running Windows 10. I am running it through Surface Dock and running two Dell U2414H in a DaisyChain. I absolutely love it.
Now, my home machine and my consumption device is a Surface 3 model. I went with the 4GB/64GB model (LC5-00001) that comes with Windows 8.1 Professional. This is really a great size memory and hard drive space as the majority of stuff that I have is up in OneDrive or DropBox.
The Surface 3 device almost checks off everyone of my previous wants. I really love the size of this device.
This is going to be my dream tablet list for 2015.
Screen Size again at the 10” (same 3:2 aspect ratio)
Stylus that keeps advancing like the SP4 pen
128GB+ SSD
i5 core + (fanless)
(1) USB 3.1 or C
MicroUSB Charging
Detachable Keyboard base like the new Surface Book that contains additional juice (GPU/memory/HDD)
I’m over the Pen Silo want.
MicroSD Card
Mini-DisplayPort
10+ hours of battery life
There you go. What is your favorite tablet? What do you want in your dream tablet?
N-trig
The best thing that ever happened to N-trig? Microsoft buying them.
Their previous products were a disaster prior to the Surface Pro 3 Pen. Now this pen is the premier pen. I was very sad to learn when the Surface Pro 3 came out that it was switching from Wacom to N-trig. My previous experience with N-trg on the HP Slate and Dell Latitude ST devices were a complete and utter fail. Their support was worse.
Future is looking bright for the Surface line and N-trig.
Windows 10 Builds Versions and Release Dates
Windows 10 Build Versions and Dates
BUILD 9841 | October 1st, 2014 [WED]
BUILD 9860 | October 22nd, 2014 [WED]
BUILD 9879 | November 12th, 2014 [WED]
BUILD 9926 | January 21st, 2015 [WED]
BUILD 10041 | March 18th, 2015 [WED]
BUILD 10049 | March 30th, 2015 [MON]
BUILD 10061 | April 22nd, 2015 [WED]
BUILD 10074 | April 29th, 2015 [WED]
BUILD 10122 | May 20th, 2015 [WED]
BUILD 10130 | May 29th, 2015 [FRI]
BUILD 10158 | June 29th, 2015 [MON]
BUILD 10159 | June 30th, 2015 [TUE]
BUILD 10162 | July 2nd, 2015 [THU]
BUILD 10166 | July 9th, 2015 [THU]
BUILD 10240 | July 15th, 2015 [RTM] [WED] [Not counted as a insider build]
BUILD 10240 | July 29th, 2015 [GA] [WED] [Not counted as an insider build]
BUILD 10525 | August 18th, 2015 [TUE]
BUILD 10532 | August 27th, 2015 [THU]
BUILD 10547 | September 18th, 2015 [FRI]
BUILD 10565 | October 12th, 2015 [MON]
BUILD 10576 | October 29th, 2015 [THU]
BUILD 10586 | November 5th, 2015 [THU | 10:00am]
BUILD 11082 | December 16th, 2015 [WED | 10:05am]
BUILD 11099 | January 13th, 2016 [WED | 10:03am]
BUILD 11102 | January 21th, 2016 [THU | 10:03am]
BUILD 14251 | January 27th, 2016 [WED | 10:02am]
BUILD 14257 | February 3rd, 2016 [WED | 4:01pm]
BUILD 14267 | February 18th, 2016 [THU | 10:06am]
BUILD 14271 | February 24th, 2016 [WED | 10:01am]
BUILD 14279 | March 4th, 2016 [FRI | 10:07am]
BUILD 14291 | March 17th, 2016 [THU | 4:05pm] | w/Edge Ext.
BUILD 14295 | March 25th, 2016 [FRI | 10:01am]
BUILD 14316 | April 6th, 2016 [WED | 10:02am]
BUILD 14328 | April 22nd, 2016 [FRI | 08:01am]
BUILD 14332 | April 26th, 2016 [TUE | 3:01pm]
BUILD 14342 | May 10th, 2016 [TUE | 6:00pm]
BUILD 14352 | May 26th, 2016 [THU | 3:30pm]
BUILD 14361 | June 8th, 2016 [WED | 10:00am]
BUILD 14366 | June 14th, 2016 [TUE | 3:20pm]
BUILD 14367 | June 16th, 2016 [THU | 7:15pm]
BUILD 14371 | June 22nd, 2016 [WED | 9:00am]
BUILD 14372 | June 23rd, 2016 [THU | 3:00pm]
BUILD 14376 | June 28th, 2016 [TUE | 3:00pm]
BUILD 14379 | June 30th, 2016 [THU | 3:00pm]
BUILD 14383 | July 7th, 2016 [THU | 10:00am]
BUILD 14385 | July 9th, 2016 [SAT | 3:00pm]
BUILD 14388 | July 12th, 2016 [TUE | 3:00pm]
BUILD 14390 | July 15th, 2016 [FRI | 10:00am]
Windows 10 Nerd Math (Insider Build Release dates). The percentage of what day of the week an Insider Build is typically released.
| DAY | # of Rel | Per% |
| MON | 3 | 6.5% |
| TUE | 7 | 15.2% |
| WED | 16 | 34.8% |
| THU | 13 | 28.3% |
| FRI | 6 | 13.0% |
| SAT | 1 | 2.2% |
| SUN | 0 | 0 |
Windows 10 Technical Preview on Surface Pro 1 (my initial thoughts)
I took the plunge and put Windows 10 Technical Preview on my Surface Pro 1 that I recently put on the shelf after moving to the Pro 3.
The Technical Preview was a breeze to install.
You can download it from (here), as of October 1st. You will need to sign up for the Windows Insider Program to download it. The files are large so you need a nice fast connection to get it while you are young.
x64 : 4.0 GB
x86 : 3.1 GB
The download and install was a breeze. I just took the ISO over to the SP1 and mounted it and ran the SETUP.EXE while in the system. I choose the save nothing and let it run it course.
My initial thoughts
I just really sat down to play with it, but it seems more of a dot release than a full version release. I am sure the innards are where the big changes are but from a visual look and feel, it is pretty similar to 8. I don’t think that there will be any learning curve coming from version 8.1.1.
I had really gotten used to not having the Start button, so it looks strange. 
I liked the new desktop icons
The task view (on the task bar) is a touch friendly dream, very nice.
The search (on the task bar) is just ok, not a big search user. (why can’t I unpin it?).
No crashes, yet. Seems very stable.
No missing devices in Device Manager.
Windows Update did grab a Surface Hardware update (8/12/2014)
Also, there was a Technical Preview update as well. (KB3001512)
Installed the Wacom 720_10 without problem. Initial testing, inking is great in OneNote.
I was also surprised the System Center installed the Configuration Manager Client (corporate software management app).
Found that most of the software that I use installs. There are a few things that don’t, but that is expected.
- Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) (update – MS has released compatible version, AWESOME!)
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=44280 - DisplayLink for USB 3.0 Docking Station. I heard there was a work around. Will try that later. (update – just released compatible version)
http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=376
Overall. I like where they are going with it. Not a lot of surface (pun intended) changes, but good. I think Desktop users will be pleased, I guess. Are there any Desktop users left?
Windows 10 Technical Preview (10/1)
Microsoft announced today during their Live event that they will be releasing a technical preview of Windows 10 tomorrow, October 1st. Yes, they are skipping right over Windows 9. I guess they want to get as far away from Windows 8 as possible and skipping a version may work.
You must sign up to the Windows Insider Program to get access to the downloads (here).
Some other links for additional information about Windows 10.
Announcing Windows 10 (here).
Windows For Your Business (here).
Microsoft Surface Pro – March 2014 Updates
Guess what kids? It Patch Tuesday!
Below is a list of the updates for the Microsoft Surface Pro System Hardware updates that will show up in your updates.
Windows 8.0 updates:
The following updates will be listed as “System Hardware Update – 3/11/2014” when you view your update history.
- Surface Type Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Touch Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Power Cover Firmware Update (v1.0.323.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.
Windows 8.1 updates:
The following updates will be listed as “System Firmware Update – 3/11/2014” when you view your update history.
- Marvell AVASTAR 350N Wireless Network Controller (v14.69.24052.168) resolves wireless network connectivity issues.
- Marvell AVASTAR Wireless Composite Device (v14.69.24052.168) improves Miracast support.
- Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth® Radio Adapter (v14.69.24052.168) updated as part of a driver package that includes the Marvell Wireless Network Controller and Marvell Wireless Composite Device. There are no Bluetooth updates in this version of the driver.
- Surface Type Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Touch Cover 2 Firmware Update Device (v1.0.317.0) update improves multiple finger support on the touchpad.
- Surface Power Cover Firmware Update (v1.0.323.0) provides support for Surface Power Cover.
You can see a list of all the updates and previous updates here.
Surface Pro November 2013 Updates
Patch Tuesday. Microsoft released some updates to the Surface Pro, get details here.
November 2013 updates
Windows 8.0
Update to allow the use of Japanese Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2.
Windows 8.1
Update to the LifeCam driver to increase TrueColor fidelity.
Update to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers to enable improved wireless display performance and to further enhance Wi-Fi network performance and stability.
Noted in the Device Manager the following updates.
Bluetooth – Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter
[NEW] 09/19/2013 | v14.69.24044.150
[OLD] 08/02/2013 | v14.69.24039.134
Imaging Devices – Microsoft LifeCam Front
[NEW] 09/17/2013 | v4.25.529.0
[OLD] 08/08/2013 | v4.25.525.0
Imaging Devices – Microsoft LifeCam Rear
[NEW] 09/17/2013 | v4.25.529.0
[OLD] 08/08/2013 | v4.25.525.0
Network Adapters – Marvell AVASTAR 350N Wireless Network Controller
[NEW] 09/19/2013 | v14.69.24044.150
[OLD] 08/02/2013 | v14.69.24039.134
Windows 8.1 Product Guide from Microsoft
The official release of Windows 8.1 this last week.
In depth guide on the new features of Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 RT (here).
Cameron Mergel 