So, many of you have heard of the Windows 10 free update from July 29th, 2015 to the end of the same day in 2016. Although, some of you, who had Windows 8.1, used it to downgrade back to the reliable Windows 7. Some of you who already had Windows 7 just didn't take up the offer, which is perfectly fine. Although now, those of you that have had computer issues, are now forced to upgrade to Windows 10, "The Universal Windows." So, what does Windows 10 have to offer?
Well, before getting into the features added, what exactly is Windows 10? Windows 10 is the universal Windows version, merging all current Microsoft-owned operating systems into one, excluding Windows Server, which Windows Server 2016 does run a variant of Windows 10. This means that the systems which the operating systems were run, now run some variant of Windows 10. For example, Xbox is owned by Microsoft, and the Xbox One formally ran Xbox One System Software, but in 2015 got an update to change the Windows 8.1-based user interface to the one actually of the latest version of Windows. (The update to Windows 10 for Xbox was "New Xbox One Experience Update") By merging these operating systems, some of the features from the former operating systems are now merged into Windows 10.
The biggest feature which I have been waiting for was Windows Phone 8.1's Cortana. Now in Windows 10, the feature almost works as if she has always been inside of my PC. You can ask her to do basically any task, and she'll try the best she can to get the job done. If she can't figure it out, she brings up the Bing search results of what she thinks you said, by default using the Microsoft Edge browser. She is also integrated into the Edge browser by default as well. In Edge, she can pull up suggestions and coupons which she thinks you'll be interested in. Remember Clippy (Microsoft Clippit)? Well, Cortana does, according to her, he's, "Enjoying his sunset years out of the media."
Speaking of Microsoft Edge, it is also a new feature of Windows 10. This feature comes from the Insider's Preview, then-named Project Spartan. It was renamed as "Edge" because it replaces Internet Explorer. Edge is your new and improved search browser, and no, it is not just a renamed Internet Explorer. If you miss IE, there is a button on Edge which can transfer the website to the legacy Internet Explorer. Although extensions for Edge were nonexistent at first, after the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, there are many extensions up for download. Cortana, your very personal assistant, is there to help you on the web as well. A new feature is where you can draw on the website itself, under the tab, "Make a Web Note." The drawing on a website is a very under-rated feature. By using this feature, you are helping to save many trees from being used for paper.
Microsoft Ink Workspace is a feature taken indirectly from the former-Windows RT semi-mobile operating system, which ran on the Surface tablet line. This feature was added not to long ago, during the Anniversary Update. So, not only can you write on websites, you can write on anything! Of course, using this is a bit more difficult that using Edge's features, but it still works pretty nice. The only downside to this is if you don't have a touchscreen, since this feature would be almost useless to you. However, even if you do have a touchscreen, you're not guaranteed accuracy, so, using this feature is entirely up to you.
The Xbox app is the best feature to have for any gamer who owns a PC. Have an Xbox One? Even better! The Xbox app allows you to get Xbox functionalities out of your Windows 10 PC. Suppose, you already bought an Xbox One before you knew this, don't get rid of it. You can mirror your One's screen to the one of your PC, and just hookup the wireless controller to your PC, and there you have it, a typing Xbox. And, although we are talking about Windows 10, Cortana did make it over to your Xbox One is you have one, and she can go right back over to your PC screen when you need her while gaming.
Windows Store, which is a merger of the Xbox Store and the Windows Phone Store, is now here. Although they had a Windows Market in Windows 8 and 8.1, labeled the Windows Store, it only consisted of new apps made from then. Although in the new Windows Store, the 3 stores merge into one. So now, you can access a variety of different apps for different platforms. So now, you can have a variety of different types of PC software, including both programs and "apps". This way, you can get the most out of your single device.
Next is the built-in antivirus software. Although this addition does make Windows 10 the most secure Windows, it is still pretty easy to turn this feature off. This built-in feature is found inside what looks to be a regular app, called Windows Defender. This is actually a setting, however, the main control center of this feature is in app form. For those of you who had Microsoft Office 2007 on Windows 7, or installed some programs from Microsoft, such as Windows Live Essentials 2012, you most likely already had this feature. On my Windows 7 laptop, I have recently found Windows Defender laying dormant. If you still chose to use your own anti-virus, it's totally up to you, since Windows is still very customization heavy.
Two new built-in apps, Movies&TV and Groove Music, are also integrated right into the center of the operating system. If you are wondering where these came from, these were made-for Xbox features back during the time of the 360, in 2012. Then, they were replacements of Zune, and labeled as Xbox Video and Xbox Music. In both the Xbox 360 and One (prior to the One's Windows 10 update) still used the Xbox branding. Slowly, Microsoft is sending out updates to both operating systems to update the apps. These are both good examples of the Universal App Platform, which is used in Windows 10 to help create totally compatible apps, for almost any device, one app.
Well, that has been a summary of the best within Windows 10 thus far. I will be updating this as more features come our way. Stay tuned to Microsoft, as they have a Windows 10 event coming soon later this October. Also, Windows 10 will loose support by the end of 2020, yet, also the last version of Windows, ever. What do you think will happen with Microsoft after 2020?
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