| A version of the Windows NT operating system | |
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Screenshot of the July 2015 release of Windows 10, showing the Start menu and Action Center
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| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Released to manufacturing | July 15, 2015 |
| General availability | July 29, 2015 |
| Latest release | Windows 1511 (10.0.10586.14) / November 24, 2015 |
| Update method | Windows Update, Windows Store,Windows Server Update Services |
| Platforms | IA-32, x86-64 |
| Kernel type | Hybrid (Windows NT) |
| License | Proprietary commercial software |
| Preceded by | Windows 8.1 (2013) |
| Official website | windows |
| Support status | |
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Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system released by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was officially unveiled in September 2014 following a brief demo at Build 2014. The first version of the operating system entered a public beta testing process in October 2014, leading up to its consumer release on July 29, 2015,[2] and its release to volume licensing on August 1, 2015. To encourage the adoption of Windows 10, Microsoft announced that during its first year of availability, the operating system would be made available free of charge to users of genuine copies of eligible editions of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
Windows 10 introduces what Microsoft described as a "universal" application architecture; expanding on Metro-style apps, these apps can be designed to run across multiple Microsoft product families with nearly identical code—including PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub and HoloLens. The Windows user interface was revised to handle transitions between a mouse-oriented interface and a touchscreen-optimized interface based on available input devices—particularly on 2-in-1 PCs; both interfaces include an updated Start menu that blends elements of Windows 7's traditional Start menu with the tiles of Windows 8. The first release of Windows 10 also introduces a virtual desktop system, a window and desktop management feature called Task View, the Microsoft Edge web browser, support for fingerprint and face recognition login, new security features for enterprise environments, and DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 to improve the operating system's graphics capabilities for games.
Microsoft described Windows 10 as an 'operating system as a service' that would receive ongoing updates to its features and functionality, augmented with the ability for enterprise environments to receive non-critical updates at a slower pace, or use long-term support milestones that will only receive critical updates, such as security patches, over their five-year lifespan of mainstream support. Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Microsoft's Windows and Devices Group, argued that the goal of this model was to reduce fragmentation across the Windows platform, as Microsoft aimed to have Windows 10 installed on at least one billion devices in the two to three years following its release.[3]
Windows 10 received mostly positive reviews upon its original release in July 2015; critics praised Microsoft's decision to downplay user-interface mechanics introduced by Windows 8 (including the full screen apps and Start screen) in non-touch environments to provide a desktop-oriented interface in line with previous versions of Windows, although Windows 10's touch-oriented user interface mode was panned for containing regressions upon the touch-oriented interface of Windows 8. Critics also praised the improvements to Windows 10's bundled software over 8.1, Xbox Live integration, as well as the functionality and capabilities of Cortana and the replacement of Internet Explorer with Edge—although the browser was criticized for being a work in progress that was not yetfeature complete.
Windows 10 was also criticized for limiting how users can control its operation; in particular, Windows Update installs all updates automatically, no longer allows users to selectively install updates, and only the Pro edition of Windows 10 can delay the automatic installation of new builds of the platform. Privacy concerns were also voiced by critics and advocates, as the operating system's default settings and certain features require the transmission of user data to Microsoft or its partners. Microsoft has also received criticism for how it has distributed Windows 10—which has included the automatic downloads of installation files to computers without expressed user consent. Critics characterized the initial release of Windows 10 as being rushed, citing the incomplete state of some of the operating system's bundled software (such as the Edge web browser), as well as the stability of the OS itself on launch.
Windows 10: Nine things you need to know
1. When can I upgrade? And how much will it cost?
Windows 10 launches tonight, July 28 at 9 p.m. PT. It'll be free for one year, for anyone running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. If you're running an earlier version of Windows or don't upgrade by that time, you'll be able to pick up Windows 10 Home for $119, and Windows 10 Pro for $199.
If you've reserved your free copy of Windows 10, you'll get a notification when Windows 10 is ready to be installed, and have the option to schedule your installation for the most appropriate time for you.
2. I've got a desktop, a tablet, and am considering a Windows Phone. How will that work?
Microsoft's ultimate goal is to make Windows 10 the sole operating system powering all of your devices, and Continuum is the driving force behind that. Windows 10 knows when you're interacting with a keyboard and mouse or using a touchscreen and will react accordingly. If you're using a keyboard and mouse, you'll be treated to the standard Windows experience. If you're on a tablet, you'll encounter fullscreen apps and a finger-friendly Start menu. Pop off the keyboard on a two-in-one device like theSurface Pro 3 , and the interface will smoothly transform into tablet mode -- if you want it to, of course.
3. What about apps?
Microsoft wants you to be able to buy an app from the Windows Store once, and expect it to run on all of your devices. These universal apps will then adopt whatever form is appropriate for the device you're using, whether you're on a tablet or a PC. We've already seen a taste of this with Microsoft's Office suite, which is the full Office experience in a format that's appropriate for your device. I wouldn't recommend editing spreadsheets on your smartphone, but it works, and you'll have all of Excel (and PowerPoint, and Word, and the rest) at your disposal.
4. Those full-screen 'Modern' apps were a pain. What ever happened to them?
Those touch-friendly, full-screen apps that debuted with Windows 8 were alternately known as the "Metro" or "Modern" design. With Windows 10, full-screen apps are optional. Let's say you're using a convertible 2-in-1 device, like the Surface Pro 3 . Thanks to Continuum, when the keyboard is docked you'll see the standard desktop with Windows 10's "new" old-school Start menu. Once you take the device off of the keyboard base, the OS allows you to switch to the finger-friendly tablet mode Windows 8 users are likely familiar with.
5. I actually liked those Modern apps, and bought a few. What happens now?
Existing Modern apps take advantage of Windows 10's Continuum automatically, so you'll have little to worry about there. When you're in tablet mode they'll behave like they always have. If you're in desktop mode, they'll convert into a normal windowed app that you can drag around at your leisure.
6. And the Start menu?
If you hated Windows 8's full-screen Start screen, you're in luck: the new Start menu harkens back to the good old days, sitting on the left side of the screen and presenting that familiar pop-up column of shortcuts. And if you liked Windows 8's approach, there's something here for you, too: the new menu will incorporate Live Tiles and can be customized.
Continuum means you get the best of both worlds, as you can jump between tablet and desktop modes on the fly. And if you never want to see that full screen start menu again, there's an option for that too.
7. Never mind the apps -- I need to get things done. Any improvements on that front?
Windows 10 beefs up Snap, the function that lets you quickly arrange apps side by side, with a new quadrant layout that lets you split your display up among up to four apps. There's also support for multiple virtual desktops (finally), so you can keep all your work apps in one place and quickly slide back to the desktop with your blogs and Reddit once your boss walks away. And then there's the task view button that lives on the taskbar. Click it, and you'll get a quick look at all of your open files, windows, and desktops.
8. Is Internet Explorer still around?
Yes and no. Internet Explorer remains a part of Windows for compatibility reasons, but it's been replaced by a brand-new browser, called Microsoft Edge . The browser will offer all of the amenities we've come to expect from modern browsers, including support for extensions, a reading mode that strips websites down to their bare essentials, and a new rendering engine that's appreciably zippy while you're browsing the Web.
And there are a few new tricks baked in, too. Microsoft's Virtual Assistant Cortana will drop suggestions into the address bar as you search, and gather important details on business and restaurant websites into a sidebar. Click the Web Note button, and you'll be able to annotate what you're looking at and share your notes via email, or through OneNote.
9. Will Windows 10 run on my machine?
If your PC is only a few years old and you're already running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you should be fine. The minimum requirements for Windows 10 are a 1GHz processor, at least 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of hard drive space.
Some older peripherals like USB floppy drives will run into trouble while you're upgrading. Some software might not make the cut, including some apps that were pre-installed by your PC's manufacturer. There are also two versions of Windows 10 -- Windows 10 Home and Pro -- and the version you get will vary, depending on the version of Windows 7 or 8 you're running now. Microsoft's Windows 10 Specifications site has the full details, so you can ensure that your PC or tablet makes the transition intact.
IF YOU WANT WINDOWS 10 TO DOWNLOAD/UPDRADE THEN CLICK ON THE BELOW LINK AND SELECT YOUR WINDOWS 10 VERSION AND BIT AND WOO! CLICK DOWNLOAD/UPGRADE AND IT WILL BE DOWNLOADED/UPGRADED!!
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