While Microsoft has stated that from now until the release of Windows 10 we are going to see plenty of updates for those using the Windows Insider Program, that included recently a look at an early version of Microsoft’s new browser ‘Project Spartan’, we are also seeing a number of private, unsupported leaked builds, the latest being Build 10056.

As a word of warning, because it is not supported by Redmond, we might say download at your own risk. You shouldn’t really be using this as your primary OS, as users have already testified, there are tons of bugs, apps that won’t work, and it is prone to crashing.

However, if you choose to take the leap, this is what you’ll get:

Let’s start with the cosmetic differences. In the Settings app you’ll find the Personalization option. In the Personalization section you can select pictures, slideshows, and change colours, for your desktop wallpaper. In the Colours section you can choose the colour you want for your background and borders, Start menu, and taskbar, rather than let Windows choose for you. You can also make changes to the Lock Screen from Personalization.

The Start menu has seen a few changes, one of these being a location move of the power button; it’s now in the bottom-left corner. Live Tiles appears in two columns, and you have the choice to resize the menu by pulling along the border with the mouse, which will enable you to see more Live Tiles.

In Cortana (located now in a larger taskbar) you’ll find two significant changes, one of these which works much like the song finding app, Shazam. Now when you go into Cortana find ‘Find Song’ in the menu and whatever tune you are listening to will be identified. If you are not familiar with Cortana you’ll find a Help menu which makes using the assistant a walk in the park even for absolute beginners.

The new build includes some other new apps: Mail and Calendar app; Weather app; Microsoft Family app (parental control); a new Solitaire game app.

A recent tester also identified that Achievements has been unlocked in this build.

Photo Credit: Wolfgang Lonien via photopin cc