Windows 10 was released on June 29, 2015 and anyone with a qualifying Windows computer software (version 7 or 8.1) or phone (Windows Phone 8.1) can upgrade to the new operating system for free (enterprise editions excluded). Windows 8 was generally criticised as a significant misstep for the technology giant, but there are a number of attractive features with Windows 10 that represent a definite improvement.
Let’s take a look at the top five coolest and most noteworthy features of Windows 10.
Windows 10 Redesigned User Interface (UI)
Microsoft put a considerable amount of energy into tweaking important aspects of the user interface and adding new functionality that drives how you interact with your apps and control your settings within Windows 10.
The Action Center, an all-new notifications panel, takes centre stage among the UI enhancements. Action Center can be accessed via the taskbar’s notification area and offers the previous Charms functions as well as Quick Actions. These Quick Actions allow for fast setting toggling (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.), à la what is seen in Android and Apple’s iOS.
Windows 10’s Start Menu offers the traditional Windows 7 file explorer, but also offers Windows 8 Live Tiles that allow users to quickly receive at-a-glance information from installed apps. Live Tiles animate whenever they possess new content to share and you can now resize the Start Menu at will by dragging its sides.
The taskbar area is mostly untouched in any meaningful fashion, although there is a new Search bar that can be minimised or dispelled entirely via a right click. Also, Task View makes the cut. This feature can be accessed from the left side of the taskbar and allows for the creation of multiple desktops with different views, providing easier application management during multitasking. Open application windows can be moved at will from desktop to desktop via right clicking.
Windows 10 Universal Apps
Windows 10 offers universal applications. Windows is now built on a unified core, allowing developers to quickly build a single app for use across multiple devices. What this means for users is that these apps are inherently flexible and can each adapt to be run properly on Windows 10 desktop, Windows 10 phone and even the Xbox, all while still offering a device-specific, personalised experience on each platform. Regardless of how or where an app is viewed, you can count of it to work properly.
An increasing amount of Windows 10 apps are becoming available and Windows 10 comes with Office 2016 universal apps that include versions of PowerPoint, Word and Excel – each offered separately or within a suite. Each Office 2016 universal app was specifically designed for Windows 10 and offers what Microsoft calls touch-first controls and design. For example, you can whip up Excel spreadsheets or even PowerPoint presentations regardless of whether you have a mouse or keyboard with you.
Windows 10 Windows Store
Much the same as Apple’s own OS X App Store, Windows 10 offers the Windows Store that allows for instant downloads of secure, verified Windows apps. The store can be launched right from the taskbar and offers everything from Office 2016 applications to Netflix. Perhaps best of all, the Windows Store is a unified store experience across both desktop and mobile.
Additionally, IT administrators within organisations can create their own business-specific Store portal that allows employees to quickly install business apps through a simple assigned link. You can customise the experience precisely for your employees.
Windows 10 Built-In Apps
There have been tweaks made to all of the built-in Windows apps you’ve come to know and love (or hate), but a few in particular carry some noteworthy changes and additions.
The Sports and News apps now start up much more quickly than before, allowing for quick access to news stories so you can catch up on the day’s events.
Windows Music has been renamed Groove Music, in line with the subscription service. Unfortunately, while Groove Music integrates well with any files stored locally on your PC or on OneDrive, it largely fails as a fluid, enjoyable experience when dealing with music stored on a network. Greater settings support will likely be on the wish list of improvements for many, as well.
Finally, the big news in the built-in app space is Microsoft Edge, Windows 10’s all-new browser that mercifully replaces the out-dated Internet Explorer. Microsoft Edge offers a reading view/list that allows you to store articles for later consumption and view them in a minimalist reading setting. Also, comment sharing and webpage annotation are now supported within Edge, allowing for text- and ink-based adjustments to webpages on the fly.
Perhaps most notably, the browser offers Cortana integration. Microsoft’s digital personal assistant brings a wealth of new accessibility that you’ll learn about in the section below. Overall, Microsoft Edge is a fantastic improvement over Explorer in both speed/reliability and feature set.
Related: Microsoft Edge is a modern web browser for a modern business professional
Windows 10 Cortana Integration
Now baked into Edge, as well as throughout the entire Windows 10 OS, Cortana has been carried over from Windows Phone and offers a digital personal assistant experience for the desktop space. The assistant can be activated at any time via text or voice and will allow you to swiftly set reminders, check the weather, make calendar appointments and search the internet using natural requests, like “What appointments do I have tomorrow?”
Related: Cortana: What is it? Why is it exciting?
Conclusion
Windows 10 represents a concerted effort from Microsoft to fix the errors made with Windows 8, and the tech giant largely succeeds. The free upgrade support is also a significant benefit that should prove to make the new OS a commercial success in Australia.