What you need to know about Windows 10

Windows 10 has just been launched and we are sure that you are all very keen to know what to expect from this freshly minted OS. In this article, we will present nine things which have probably been bothering most of you. Sit back and find out what Windows 10 has to offer.

1. When it will be possible to upgrade? What’s the price?

Windows 10 was launched on 28th of July. You will be able to upgrade your Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. OS free of charge for one year. If you’ve requested a free copy, you’ll get a notification once you can install it and select the best time for you to do it. Windows 10 Home will cost $119, and Windows 10 Pro will be $199.

2. How does the upgrade work, if I have a desktop, a tablet and a Windows Phone?

The aim of Microsoft is to make sure that Windows 10 is your only operating system on all of your devices. Windows 10 senses, when your are working with a keyboard and a mouse or when you use a touchscreen and it adjusts the operations accordingly. In case you are using a tablet, you’ll see full screen applications and adjusted Start menu. Therefore, it is highly adaptable. It is achieved by Windows Continuum which adjusts Windows mode on the basis of which device you are using and whether you are using a mouse, a keyboard or a touchscreen.
As regards the Windows Phone, there are talks about Windows 10 mobile so we will have to wait and see how it will turn out.

3. What’s new with applications?

You will be able to buy applications in Windows Store and use them on all of your devices. These applications will be adjusted to fit the device you are currently using. It’s already been proven that Microsoft is Office is fully functional on all devices, even though it might not be easy to use Excel on your smartphone.

4. Are there any changes in relation to ‘Modern’ apps?

This is now an optional feature. If you’re using a convertible 2-in-1 device, like the Surface Pro 3 in the tablet mode, you will see them alright. Once you plug in the keyboard, the screen will switch back to the usual desktop view, which is also the workings of Windows Continuum.

5. What happens to Modern Apps which I’ve purchased before?

They do not go anywhere. If you are using them on your tablet, you’ll see them in the ‘Modern’ mode. If you switch to the PC, thanks to Continuum, they will gain the appearance of a classical Windows program.

6. What’s new with Start menu?

Some of Windows users have not particularly been happy about the full-screen mode of Start menu. In Windows 10, it switches back to the Start menu located on the left side of you screen but it now incorporates some tiles from the Windows 8 OS that you can customize. It will also be every easy to switch between the tablet and desktop modes.

7. What are the news about work optimization?

First of all, Windows 10 features Snap. This function enables you to arrange all of the applications you are using side by side. You will be able to divide the display among four apps. Another great feature on Windows 10 is the support of multiple virtual desktops. This way, all of the apps you are currently working on can be open at one time on different desktops and you can swipe quickly between them.

There’s also Cortana, a feature which used to be available on Windows Phone and which you can now employ on the Windows desktop version as well. It’s a voice feature which enables voicing your commands. It can even send emails you dictate.

8. What has happened to Internet Explorer?

Well, it’s still present for the sake of compatibility, but Windows 10 introduces a new browser called Microsoft Edge. It features various extensions, a reading mode and a new operational engine.

Virtual Assistant Cortana will be introducing suggestions to the address bar when you are performing a search and collecting details about business and restaurants to the sidebar. If you press the WebNote button, it will be possible for you to provide the description of what you are looking at and share it through email or OneNote.

9. Will my computer’s parameters be enough to support Windows 10?

If you have a relatively new computer with Windows 7 or Windows 8 running on them, it is very likely that you computer will be able to embrace Windows 10.
Minimum requirements for Windows 10 are these:
1GHz processor,
Min 1GB of RAM,
16GB of hard drive space.

There might be some problems with USB floppy drives and some of the apps might not be transferred as well as some software that has been installed by the producer of your computer. You should also keep in mind that there are two versions of Windows 10: Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro and the one that will be installed on your computer will depend on your current OS. Visit the website providing with Windows 10 specifications and have a good look at them in order to be sure that your devices are upgraded properly.

About the author
Linas Kiguolis
Linas Kiguolis - IT professional

Linas Kiguolis is a qualified IT expert that loves sharing his excellent knowledge about problems in Windows and Mac operating systems. Linas’ insights often help other team members find quick solutions for visitors of UGetFix site.

Contact Linas Kiguolis
About the company Esolutions

Read in other languages