Microsoft have announced the official release of Windows 10 for the 29th of July 2015 and with only a couple of weeks to go, it looks like it’s actually going to happen!
What is Windows 10?
Windows 10 is the latest version of Microsoft’s Windows Operating Systems for use on home and business desktops, laptops, tablets and phones.
After the cold reception of Windows 8 (even after the upgrade to 8.1), Microsoft appear to have really listened to consumers and technicians alike and somehow seem to have merged what we liked in Windows 8 (not much, let’s be honest here) with the much loved Windows 7 interface and usability.
Changes in Windows 10
“Windows 10: It’s familiar, it’s productive, it’s personal, it’s flexible”
Familiar?
The return of the expanding Start button to access programmes and apps will be a relieve to many Windows 8 haters. But even those who eventually got to like the Metro style desktop in Windows 8 are not missing out and can create their very own Start button – Metro style – no more nuisance switching between the two!
Productive?
Quick start-up and performance even on slow systems, syncing across devices, but “more secure”? – well, time will tell.
Personal?
Meet Cortana – “Your truly personal digital assistant” and Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri, helps set personal reminders across various devices – and offers the same great Windows 8 search functions to find files, features and programmes.
Flexible?
On 2-in-1 devices, your screen can be optimized to work with touch or keyboard and mouse.
The Windows 8 “Charm Bar” that allows you to access settings by hovering over the minus sign on the bottom right of your screen (and annoyingly pops up randomly when least expected) was ditched in Windows 10 – whoop: Charm no More! Settings can now be accessed via the Start button.
The included Mail app has improved immensely, not only can you now set up other email accounts than Outlook or Gmail, but the whole user interface has become more sleek and user friendly with easy access to settings.
To Charm or not to Charm?
Microsoft have pushed the “reserve Windows 10 now” feature through Windows updates because they pretty much want all current Windows 7 and Windows 8 users to upgrade to their new system: the upgrade is FREE and you can download the Windows 10 files now (about 3GB), ready to be installed on the 29th July – but should you upgrade so soon?
Windows 10 is probably the most pre-release-tested operating system yet (released for free to “Insiders” months and months ago) but Microsoft are quite open about some features not quite being ready yet on the release date, i.e. OneDrive syncing features have not quite been perfected and neither has the new super browser “Edge”.
Upgrading is also likely to have some teething problems which could cause issues with your existing software and hardware, so I would not advise anyone to even attempt the upgrade without a very good Image Back-Up in case disaster strikes.
Don’t get me wrong, I actually really like Windows 10 and if you absolutely hate Windows 8, upgrade sooner rather than later by all means, but if you are currently using Windows 7, well, maybe just sit it out for a bit, at least until Microsoft’s official technician training has been released…
Have PC Harmony,
so you can concentrate on the more important things in life…
This all sounds like commonsense, Katja. I won’t move a muscle until I know it’s safe!
Helen
Hi Katja,
Thanks for the information. I think this has persuaded me to upgrade from Windows 8 to 10 sooner rather than later.
David.
Too late! I mistakenly thought that I’d better go to Windows 10 as my new laptop came with the awful Windows 8.1.
Big mistake. I wish I could revert to Windows 7 which I use on another PC.
Why? Windows screens are less clear, the tiles are distracting and things have been changed just for the sake of change.