Five features we want to see in Windows 9

We could get our first proper look at Windows 9 at the end of September and the rumour mill is already murmuring about what the new operating system could bring. While we know that the start menu is definitely coming back, here are a few other features we'd like to see in Microsoft latest and greatest.

By Alex Choros

We could get our first proper look at Windows 9 at the end of September and the rumour mill is already murmuring about what the new operating system could bring. While we know that the start menu is definitely coming back, here are a few other features we'd like to see in Microsoft latest and greatest.

Windows Phone 8.1 Continuity
The first thing on my wish list is seamless integration between Windows Phone and Windows 9. I'd love it if Microsoft were to take a page from Apple's book (or a leaf from their tree), and allow users to respond to text messages and pick up phone calls from their Windows 9 PC. The ability to respond to texts straight from your keyboard without even reaching for your phone is an amazing timesaver.

Better Display Scaling
High density displays are becoming more and more common; Toshiba have even managed to fit a 4K screen into a 15" inch laptop! Despite this, Windows still doesn't do a great job at display scaling. While Windows 8.1 has improved the way the operating system appears on high resolution panels, users still have to a lot of manual tinkering to get an optimal experience. It would be great to see Microsoft continue to improve this functionality in Windows 9.

Native DVD Playback
DVD might be a dying format, but people are still watching them. Currently, a $10 add-on is required to enable DVD playback in Windows 8, which wasn't the case in 7. In addition, integrated Blu-Ray support would be a great addition, especially because the majority of software designed to play the format is pretty awful…

Bring Back Easy Transfer
Easy Transfer made moving from computer to computer so very easy, so it's a shame that Microsoft have nerfed it in Windows 8.1. While you can still migrate data from a machine running Windows 8 or older to a new Windows 8.1 install, it is not possible to move your data from a Windows 8.1 machine to a new Windows 8.1 machine. It seems like the official word is that we should be using OneDrive to move our data around, but in my opinion, this isn't a suitable replacement. Fingers crossed Microsoft restore Easy Transfer's full functionality in Windows 9.

Virtual Desktops / Workspaces
Both OSX and Linux have given users the ability to create virtual desktops for years now, so it's odd that this feature hasn't officially come to Windows yet. A "virtual desktop" lets users organise applications over several workspaces, and switch between them as required. I'd describe virtual desktops as "Alt-Tab EXTREME", and they definitely helps improve productivity when working with only one monitor. While there are third party solutions available, it would be great to see this integrated as a feature of Windows 9.