Wednesday 29 July 2015

WINDOWS 10 REVIEW, ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

windows10_installed
Windows 10, finally the most anticipated operating system has released today (Jul-29-2015). Microsoft released windows 7 in order to gain the popularity they lost by the release of Windows Vista and the history repeats here - By skipping a version of windows 9, Microsoft decided to come out with windows 10, which they think will definitely save their bygone reputation with windows 8. As heard from the Microsoft, Windows 10 will be the last version of their operating system series and from now on they will keep updating the bugs that may arise in the latest version. Anyway lets have a look what windows 10 has to offer.

windows10_devices
Windows 10 will run on everything from smartphones to giant servers, via tablets, convertibles, laptops, all-in-ones, desktop PCs and Surface Hubs with 84in screens. Intelligently, Microsoft completely redesigned their codes in a way that combines the best aspects of the last two versions of Windows..  And new features like Microsoft's Cortana virtual assistant and Edge browser breathe new life into Windows.

HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES OF WINDOWS 10

START

The Start menu is back! The Start menu is the default if you use Windows 10 with a keyboard and mouse, though you can keep the full-screen Start screen if you prefer it. On the Start menu, you can pin Live Tiles in multiple sizes on the right, but on the left you also get the familiar list of pinned and recent applications, complete with jump lists for files, the search box that you can also use to run commands and a power button for shutting down or restart.
Windows10Start

CORTANA

Cortana, Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri. Cortana brings plenty of notable features to Windows 10. While setting it up, you can choose to have Cortana always listen for your commands. When I told her to "turn on Bluetooth," she perfectly interpreted my speech and, because she has access to system-level tools, told me that she had turned on Bluetooth.

Windows10_Cortana

You can ask her about basic things like the current weather or Indian population, or you could have her search the web using Bing. Cortana can answer some queries without even launching a web browser. You can also type in queries into the Cortana search box on the taskbar, and you can choose to have her only activate voice commands when you hit a button. Cortana handles voice commands about as well as Siri and Google Now. It's pretty accurate when it comes to recognizing your voice input (depends heavily on the quality of your microphone), and in many cases it even fetched more useful results than Siri.

CONTINUUM

Continuum switches between desktop and tablet modes, and will enable future Windows 10 smartphones to work like desktop PCs. "Continuum," really meant for multi-function computers like the Surface, which can be both a tablet and laptop depending on which accessories are connected. But it could also be useful if you want to connect a keyboard and mouse to your Windows 10 tablet. The tablet mode simplifies the taskbar, makes every application full-screen and enables a Windows 8-style Start screen. Windows 10 can automatically switch interfaces when it detects your keyboard has been removed, or you can choose to make the swap manually from the settings menu.

XBOX APP

Windows 10 can stream games from any Xbox One on your home network (and eventually Xbox 360 games that are compatible) -- all you need to do is plug an Xbox One controller into your PC and hit the streaming button on the Xbox app. The games still run on your Xbox One; it's just spitting out a real-time video feed to your computer rather than just your TV.
windows10_xbox
The Xbox app also serves as a single hub for all of the games on your computer and you can manually add games as well. Overall, it's simply a much more functional offering than the Windows 8 Xbox app.

EDGE 

Microsoft’s new lightweight, standards-oriented and faster browser called Edge which feels faster than Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Edge may be the most elegant piece of software to come from Microsoft. Its interface is simple: tabs on the top; back, forward and refresh buttons below; and an address bar.
windows10_edge

Edge is smarter than other browsers as it also features Cortana (without the voice commands). You can type in questions and often get them answered right within Edge's location bar -- no need to hit Enter to complete your search. Edge also allows you to write or type annotations on to web pages and email them to people, but it doesn’t support extensions yet.
 

WINDOWS HELLO

Windows Hello, lets you sign into your PC by scanning either your face, iris or fingerprint. It's an extra layer of security, but you'll need hardware that supports it, like Intel's Real-Sense 3D Camera.
 

OTHER FEATURES

There are, of course, many other features in Windows 10, like the ability to run multiple "desktops" side by side, which is the virtual equivalent of having multiple PC monitors with different apps open on each screen. It's quite a niche feature, but one that some people will no doubt find useful. You can also "snap" applications that are open to different corners of the screen to make them easier to view.
 
Microsoft’s pre-installed apps are improved over Windows 8 versions, particularly Mail and Calendar, Microsoft Photos and the PowerShell command system for power users. Windows Media Center, games and gadgets from Windows 7 are gone, but Windows Media Player is still there. Free replacements for missing apps are available in the Windows Store.
 
Microsoft’s DirectX 12 is new for Windows 10 and more efficient enabling better gaming performance and longer battery life.
 
Action Center replaces the loathed Charms bar from Windows 8. It provides notifications and quick access to common settings.
Windows10-ActionCenter

Task View provides an Apple expose-style view of all running programs at once, though Alt-Tab still works.

Multiple virtual desktops are included as standard.

Groove is a new music app/service that replaces Xbox Music. It can import and play your Google Play and iTunes music libraries.

PROS AND CONS OF WINDOWS 10

PROS
-Brings together Microsoft's best desktop and touchscreen interfaces
-Easy upgrade process
-Cortana and Edge alone are worth upgrading
-Changes to modern Windows apps finally makes them useful
 
CONS
-No major changes beyond the traditional Windows desktop
-Xbox One game streaming requires a robust network
-Still not many worthwhile modern Windows apps yet

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO INSTALL WINDOWS 10


Click this link to read about the Full System Requirements to install windows 10.

HOW TO UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 10

Surprisingly, Microsoft announced that it would be giving away Windows 10 for free! (for one year). If you're a current Windows user, you just need to click the "Get Windows 10" app in the system tray and click "Reserve Your Free Upgrade" to join the queue. If you don't see that app, make sure you have all of the current Windows Updates. Microsoft is making Windows 10 available to its Insider testers first starting on July 29, only after that the windows 7 and windows 8 users will get the chence. so you might have to wait a bit before you can upgrade. You can get more details about the windows 10vupgrade process from here.

If you are planning to buy windows 10 without giving a shot with the free upgrade offered (don’t be a fool), you will have to pay around $120. You have to pay the same,if you are looking forward to install after one year from now.

Final Verdict

Windows 10 is the ideal next step for Microsoft, bringing together the best elements of Windows 7 and 8. It delivers the most refined desktop experience ever from Microsoft, and yet it's so much more than that. It's also a decent tablet OS, and it's ready for a world filled with hybrid devices. With new features like Cortana and Edge, extensive desktop interface refinements and Microsoft's free upgrade offer, it's a must-have for anyone who uses Windows.

Does Windows 10 meet your expectations ?

So, what you think of Windows 10..? Will you give it a try..?

2 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete