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Information about Windows 10’s New Features
Microsoft now officially releases Windows 10. It is a very impressive upgrade to the Windows operating system in many ways. Not the least of which is the upgrade price- free! This blog post provides information about Windows 10 to highlight its many new and improved features and assist you in deciding whether or not to upgrade to Windows 10.
Information about Windows 10: Start Menu
One of the best new features of Windows 10 is the renewed support for the desktop work environment. While Windows 8 had many improvements for mobile users, Windows 10 marks a shift in the way that Windows analyzes and adapts to its user’s device. The new “Continuum” feature provides a desktop with a Start menu for users who have a keyboard connected, but also provides a tablet mode with a Start screen for mobile devices.
The desktop mode also brings back one of the most missed features in Windows 8, the Start menu. When using the desktop in Windows 10, you can click the “Start” button in taskbar to display a redesigned Start menu. The Start menu provides easy access to your user account, apps, files, Windows settings and power options.
Information about Windows 10: Start Menu- A picture of a jump list for the Control Panel in the “Most used” apps list within the new Start menu in Windows 10.
Information about Windows 10: Action Center
Windows 10 also has a redesigned Action Center. The Action Center in Windows 10 displays notifications from Windows and its apps in a sidebar that appears at the right side of the screen, when needed. When it is not needed, it simply resides in the system icons shown at the right side of the taskbar. You can click the “Action Center” icon in the taskbar to open the Action Center sidebar to view your notifications from Windows and other app. It also contains “Quick actions” for common tasks, such as toggling airplane mode on or off.
Information about Windows 10: Action Center- A picture of the Action Center within Windows 10.
Information about Windows 10: Tablet Mode
While much of the buzz surrounding Windows 10 focuses on the return of the Start menu and its better desktop support, tablet mode in Windows 10 also shows improvement in support for mobile devices with touch interfaces. Users who prefer Windows 8 can even manually enable tablet mode on laptops and desktop to access a Start screen and full-screen app windows instead of the Start menu and desktop.
Information about Windows 10: Tablet Mode- A picture of the Start screen shown in the Tablet mode of Windows 10.
Information about Windows 10: Cortana
In our opinion, one of the best reasons to upgrade to Windows 10 is the new digital assistant, Cortana. This voice-activated assistant can easily perform tasks within Windows 10 for you. This can involve scheduling tasks and appointments, performing searches, answering questions, opening applications, and many other useful tasks.
Cortana, which is only available if using a Microsoft account, is an “always on” digital assistant that can be very valuable as a time-saver. For example, if you want to quickly open an app that is not easily accessible, such as the Control Panel, you can simply say “Hey Cortana, open the Control Panel” to let her do it for you.
Likewise, she is able to set appointments and reminders, no matter which app you happen to be using at the time. This can save you time and ensure you can set appointments without having to open a separate application.
Information about Windows 10: Cortana- A picture of Cortana responding to the question “What’s the weather going to be like today?”
Information about Windows 10: Microsoft Edge
Another reason to upgrade to Windows 10 is the new Microsoft Edge browser. This new browser is free from much of the clutter that slowed down and plagued its predecessor, Internet Explorer. It is a streamlined browser with access to a new Edge Hub that contains easy access to your Favorites, Reading List, History, and Downloads.
In addition, Microsoft Edge can be integrated with Cortana, if enabled, to assist you in quickly searching for information. Annotations can be made to web pages directly within the Edge browser and easily sent to OneNote, if needed. All of these features do not diminish the speed with which the browser functions, which is very impressive.
Information about Windows 10: Microsoft Edge- A picture of the Microsoft Edge browser. The new Edge Hub that contains links to your Favorites, Reading List, History, and Downloads is shown at the right side of the browser window.
Information about Windows 10: Summary
Windows 10 offers one of the best Windows upgrade opportunities ever made available. Windows 10 is available as a free upgrade to users of Windows 7, 8, or 8.1. Windows 10 blends improvements to existing features, like the desktop, with many new and improved features, like Cortana. To upgrade to Windows 10, or find more information about Windows 10, you can visit the “Upgrade to Windows 10 for free” page on the Microsoft website.
