Windows 10 is the latest release of the ever-popular and oh-so-familiar Microsoft Windows operating system. It promises to bring the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 together, while adding new features and tools for productivity, education, news, and entertainment.
What’s new?
One of the most remarkable things to come with Windows 10 is the speed. Windows 10 is designed to be fast and responsive with faster boot times and is quicker to load programs. And it’s not all behind-the-scenes – Windows 10 adds more ways to quickly access your programs, documents, pictures, websites – Everything you need in just a few clicks.
The Start Menu is going to be the most obvious change, for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. In Windows 7 we’re familiar with the pop-up style menu, and Windows 8 gave us the full-screen view of tiles – Windows 10 will offer the classic pop-up style menus, but will incorporate the tile features from Windows 8.1. This means your news, weather, email, and more will all be displayed live in your start menu, and other programs you use frequently will have easily identifiable options to get you where you need to go fast.
Microsoft Edge is the new web browser that will be on your Windows 10 PC. It’s a whole new browser – built from the ground up to be faster, cleaner, and more streamlined – to replace Internet Explorer. Edge also offers a lot of new features for productivity and can tie things together with the rest of your computer and programs seamlessly.
These are probably the two biggest changes worth mentioning here, however, there is a lot more to look forward to!
Why should I upgrade?
In addition to the new features, faster speeds, and added personalization options – Windows 10 offers the latest in security. It’s difficult to stay ahead of the game on security threats and risks, but making sure everything is up to date is one of the most important steps. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will still be supported and kept up to date with patches, but Windows 10 will hit the ground running on all these advances.
As new software is created it may be designed specifically for Windows 10, or at least have additional features that will work best in Windows 10, so having the latest operating system will ensure you can continue to enjoy the latest releases of the software you use every day.
Should I make the switch?
For your home computer or tablet, absolutely. From die-hard Windows 7 fans who don’t like certain things about Windows 8.1, to the Windows 8.1 users who wonder how they ever went without – Windows 10 will be a comfortable upgrade for everyone and you’ll have the latest technology and tools.
At work, in a business or corporate environment, your IT staff will manage all this for you and get everything set. In a business network there is much more to consider; such as how all your computer talk to each other and what resources are available to who If you have any questions on your business’s upgrade plans for Windows 10, feel free to give us a call!
How do I get it?
Windows 10 is free for all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users – you’ve likely already seen the pop-ups from Microsoft asking you to reserve your copy. If you’ve already reserved your copy, you could get it as early as July 29, 2015 – which is Microsoft will start rolling it out in waves. If you don’t get it right away, don’t worry, you may just be part of the next group.
If you’re using an older version of Windows, such as XP or Vista, you’ll need to purchase Windows 10. Prices start at around $120 and you can purchase Windows 10 a few weeks later.
