27 Jan Microsoft Windows 10: Features and Download
Ready for Microsoft Windows 10?
The main philosophy for Microsoft Windows 10 is to have one unified operating system that can run on any device. Not only will your devices seamlessly communicate with each other, but they will all look alike for one user experience.
Getting Started
Microsoft seems to have taken the hint, scaling back their massive redesign released in Windows 8. All previews show the familiar home screen, with the Start menu in the bottom corner (where it belongs), and the familiar scrollable nested folders. Next to these, a more palatable touchscreen enabled Live Tile display. The menu is fully customizable and can be resized to be as large or small as needed. If you are a fan of the start screen (and I’m told they do exist), you can set that as your preference as well. No judgement.
What’s New in Windows 10?
Refreshing Design
Windows 10 looks a lot like Windows 7, with some small design changes like a shadow around the window frames and new animations when you resize, open and close windows.
Improved Multitasking
You can create multiple “virtual” desktops and run programs on each one. When you snap something to one side, it prompts you to snap something else into the other half of the screen. You can snap up to 4 apps on the same screen.
Photo Credit: Windows Blog[/caption]
Possibly for those less tech savvy consumers, Windows has introduced the Home folder. This features recent and most commonly used folders and documents for easy access.
Command Prompt
Ok so this may not interest you as much, but… drumroll, please… copy/paste! Yes, you can copy paste in command mode, in addition to being able to resize the window, set transparency, and use keyboard shortcuts to select and define text.
Major Features of Microsoft Windows 10
Cortana
“Hey Cortana”
Just like Windows Phone, you can type to Cortana to ask it to remind you to do things, or to search for content locally in apps or on the web. Rather than creating a separate app for Cortana on the desktop, Microsoft will essentially replace and complement the existing search experience that’s available in Windows 8.
Photo Credit: endgadget.com[/caption]
Continuum
Designed for tablet/PC combinatons like the Surface Pro 3, Continuum can automatically switch from desktop to a touch optimized tablet mode when it sense that the keyboard and mouse have been disconnected. The allows the user to easily transfer between modes when they need.
“Spartan”
While not included in the technical preview, Microsoft’s new browser (codename: Project Spartan) will be included in Windows 10 alongside Internet Explorer. The browser will have many features that make it similar to Google Chrome and Firefox, such as the ability to add extensions.
Did Someone Say, FREE?
That’s right, we said FREE. As in Windows is offering free upgrades to Windows 7 and 8 users, with only some fine print attached:
“It is our intent that most of these devices will qualify, but some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. ISP fees may apply. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise outside of this offer. We will be sharing more information and additional offer terms in coming months.”
Technical Preview
Do you want to be part of next Windows? The tech preview is for PC experts who are comfortable with unfinished programs. Windows Corporate Vice President Joe Belfiore recommends that you install this on a secondary PC, so that nothing happens to your important files.