• What it is: Windows 10 is the major release of Microsoft’s Windows operating system and is the successor to Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1.
• Why it matters: Windows 10 contains a host of new features, security updates, and a platform-unifying design aimed at both enterprise users and consumers. It also marks the beginning of Microsoft’s “Windows-as-a-service” strategy.
• Who does this affect: Windows 10 is available as a free upgrade to qualified devices running Windows 7 (SP1) or Windows 8/8.1. Windows XP and Windows Vista users will need to purchase Windows 10.
• How to get Windows 10: Most Windows 7 (SP1) and Windows 8/8.1 users can get Windows 10 through the Get Windows 10 app. Users can also download a Windows 10 ISO to be used on multiple PCs.
• What it is? Developed under the codename “Threshold”, Microsoft’s goal with Windows 10 is to provide a common operating system that can run across multiple platforms—including PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, and even Xbox One, Surface Hub and HoloLens at some point in the future.
Each platform will have a device-specific user interface (UI), and will share the same Windows 10 core.
Windows 10 includes several new features and important changes, in addition to its platform unifying design. Many new features are designed to improve the desktop experience and draw in business users who were turned off by Windows 8’s tile-based UI and the initial removal of the Start menu. New features include:
•Start menu: Windows 10’s new Start menu combines the Windows 7-like application list and the live tiles interface from Windows 8’s Start screen. Windows-8 style “modern” apps (now called “universal apps”) can run within a window on the desktop, like standard desktop programs.
•Action Center: The Charms menu is replaced with the Action Center, a sidebar that provides notifications and contains buttons for common tasks.
•Tablet mode: A new tablet mode is designed to make Windows 10 easier to operate without a keyboard or mouse.
•Improved security: new security features for Windows 10, include Windows Hello—an integrated biometric authentication system.
•Microsoft Edge: Formerly codenamed Project Spartan, Edge is the default web browser in Windows 10. Internet Explorer 11 isalso be included with the OS, but is basically unchanged from the version of IE11 found in Windows 7 and 8.1.
•Cortana integration: Cortana, Microsoft’s voice-powered personal assistant, makes its desktop debut in Windows 10 and can be configured to take over the Search box.
•Xbox Live integration: Although not critical for many business users, Xbox live is built into Windows 10. Users can stream games from an Xbox One to a desktop, laptop, or tablet over Wi-Fi, play multiplayer games with people on different platforms, and more.
•Enhanced graphics: Windows 10 includes new versions of DirectX and WDDM to improve game performance.
Windows 10 comes in four Editions (versions): Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise, and Windows 10 Education.
Microsoft’s official system requirements for Windows 10 are:
•Processor: 1GHz or faster processor or SoC
•RAM: 1GB for 32-bit OS or 2GB for 64-bit OS
•Hard disk space: 16GB for 32-bit or 20GB for 64-bit OS
•Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
•Display: 800×600
