Microsoft Windows 10: A Skip To Redeem

Windows 10

The software giant Microsoft is releasing Windows 10 as a successor of Windows 8.1. The aim of Windows 10 is to unify Windows experience and functionality across multiple Microsoft products which include PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub, HoloLens, all-in-one devices and others.

With billions of people around the globe using Windows, the Microsoft product is the operating system that is part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was first unveiled in September 2014 following a brief demo at Build 2014. At that time, the name "Windows 10" was mentioned.

As of July 29th, 2015, Microsoft is making it's Windows 10 available as a free upgrade for many users of Windows 7 or 8. Anyone who uses Home or Professional versions of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1 has a year to take the offer. For those who have other versions of Windows 7 or 8 should upgrade them first, all for free.

Related: Microsoft 'Freemium' Strategy: The Giant is Breaking the Habit

Windows 10 predecessor, the Windows 8, was a drastic change to the operating system. For example, the Start Menu was redesigned to touchscreen devices, and these has confused many Windows fans. Windows 10 is Microsoft's attempt to safeguard the company's well-being as a software giant it was known before. Being pushed aside slowly by the likes of Google and Apple, Microsoft sees its own future vision as Windows as a service where a single user experience spans on every piece of technology.

As the "most comprehensive platform ever," mentioned by Microsoft's Executive Vice President of the Windows and Devices Group, Terry Myerson, Microsoft skipped 9 and went with 10. By releasing it to tests to millions of people beforehand with the Windows Insider program, Microsoft is making Windows 10 familiar to people before publicly releasing it. This was Microsoft's main priority to prevent alienating users with its new features.

He emphasized that Windows 10 would take steps towards restoring user interface that was were on Windows 7, and evolving it with touch-oriented interface that was introduced in Windows 8. To put it simple, Windows 10 is a compromise between the familiar dependability of Windows 7, and the forward-looking touchscreen vision of Windows 8.

Windows 10: Start MenuWindows

Windows 10's Start Menu brings the old memories back, but with improvements over 7 and 8. As it was always be, or should be, it's placed on the lower left corner of the screen, and still allow users to find their installed programs, change settings, or see files.

In Windows 10, the Start Menu no longer opens in a whole new screen like it does in Windows 8. This made it much easier to use to Windows fans as it keeps the menu environment where it is.

Windows 10: MultitaskingWindows 10 Task View

Windows fans and power users use intensive hotkeys such as the Alt+Tab as their way to switch running programs quickly with ease.

Microsoft introduces a Task View (Windows button + Tab), which shows users every open window. The feature allows users to create Virtual Desktops by creating a new workspace. Dragging one of those apps ontp the "new desktop" button will move it to its own independent workspace. For example, this Virtual Desktop allows users to keep one workspace focused on work, while other workspace for games.

There's no limit to the amount of Virtual Desktops.

Virtual desktops are nothing new. But on previous Windows versions, it came from third-party apps. In Windows 10, Microsoft is catching up by making the feature built-in.

Windows 10: TouchWindows

To unify WIndows experience across the many Microsoft devices, the company has made every feature available in whatever ways users are interacting with Windows, including the increasing number of touch-enabled Windows devices.

For example, in Tablet Mode, Windows 10 simplifies its interface by making its buttons easier for use with fingers. Users can swipe down from the top and rearrange their workspace similar to snapping.

Windows 10: CortanaWindows

As voice commands and the needs of intelligent assistant to help users in using their devices, and computers, are on the rise, Microsoft is introducing intelligent assistant Cortana to Windows 10. Named after an AI character in Microsoft Halo games, the digital assistant that is a mix of Apple's Siri and Google Now can help users in finding what they're looking for.

Cortana uses Microsoft's Bing to get search results. As it learns more things about its user, Cortana can display a scrollable list of the user's interests, weather updates and news.

Windows 10: EdgeWindows

In Windows 10, Microsoft has added a new browser into Windows 10. Coming the name Microsoft Edge, the web browser is meant to compete with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox as a popular browser, to put Microsoft's product back as a choice for browsing like it did back with Explorer in its glory.

The browser is fast and packs few added features. Like for example, Cortana is integrated so it can offer information about the user's interest. Initially, there's no way for Edge to sync tabs or bookmarks across devices, and there is no way to import bookmarks from other browsers.

As a new browser, Edge is in constantly evolving and still in progress to mature. constantly evolving work in progress. Internet Explorer is still available in Windows 10 as legacy apps are dependent on it.

Windows 10: Windows Updates and SecurityWindows

Windows 10 comes with Windows Updates that is the key to get all users in line with Microsoft's future visions, and keep them updated with new features and security. Updates are automatic on Windows 10 Home version can be delayed but can't be refused.

As one of the most popular operating system with the most total users ever, Windows' omnipresence has made it a prime target for attacks.

Many Windows users have found that updating their operating system won't always be good for them. People experienced that some software updates don't work for them well and breaks more than they fix. In Windows 10, Microsoft is not changing its approach as it rather deal with occasional software flaws than have its users vulnerable to attacks.

Microsoft is also bulking up its security with Windows Hello. The feature uses the user's biometric data (such as fingerprint) as a password to access Windows. Once the user has authenticated themselve to Hello, Windows Passport steps in to give access to third-party apps without asking the user to log in all over again. This feature is dependent on the hardware where Windows 10 is installed so it needs supporting camera or a fingerprint scanner to work.

New Tricks and New Things, All in Windows Fashion

Each version of Windows introduces new things to users, and that didn't stop Microsoft in doing the exact same thing with Windows 10. The operating system is more of less tweaked and updated in almost every way with new features going with it.

Typical to Windows, it packs a massive array of keyboard shortcuts, and also touch gestures. And for each of those features, Windows 10 is giving no less than three ways to access things the user is trying to reach.

Some of the new feature introduced in Windows 10 is an improvised Snap feature. First introduced in Windows 7, Snap can fill a space on a screen when a user drag an app to the either left or right-hand side of the screen. In Windows 10, Snap can fill any corner of the screen (making it 4 places rather than the original 2), dividing each open app equally across the screen. The new Snap Assist chimes and shows the user little thumbnails of open programs/apps.

Charms that was introduced in Windows 8 is replaced with Action Center. As a nod to mobile operating systems, Action Center that comes as an icon on the taskbar opens up a panel that houses all notifications, enabling quick access to important things.

[block:block=48]

A Second Chance

Microsoft skipped a version (Windows 9) in favor to Windows 10 to highlight its advances. What it's trying to say is giving something new to the masses, but what it really do is making everything in one place, making Windows the center of everything.

By getting the best of the both worlds (Windows 7 and 8), Windows 10 is Microsoft's transition in making users get a software that is constantly updated and tweaked, rather than making people buy a copy every few years.

Windows 10 comes in eight different editions, excluding the four "N" editions, Windows 10 should answer the many consumers that come with different needs and sets of hardware.

Since it has a mobile-oriented predecessor, Windows 10 can be made flexible to support many more mobile devices, including Microsoft's HoloLens.

Windows 10 does what it was meant to be: it's fast and functional, equally good at home or at the office just it is on mobile. It does things as expected. But with those ability, and Microsoft's well-known name, Windows 10 is getting into Google and Apple territory even deeper.

People that are familiar with the web, are usually accustomed to Google's products. People that are mobile are familiar with both Google and Apple (Android and iOS). Jumping from one ecosystem to another may not be everyone's will, but as a free update, Windows 7/8 users have little to lose. As for Windows XP users, its best to upgrade since Microsoft has stopped supporting the OS.

Bringing the best out of the previous Windows versions is the best thing Microsoft do in its attempt to regain back its former glory.