Microsoft Unveils Windows 10 : Key Features

Microsoft unveiled the next version of the Windows operating system at an event in San Francisco and its called Windows 10. Microsoft has deliberately skipped calling it Windows 9 because they claim it is a such a significant improvement over Windows 8, that calling it Windows 9 wouldn’t do it enough justice. Well, that’s what Microsoft would say, but is that really the case? Well, check out for yourself all those significant improvements that the company is talking about and be the judge of it yourself.

Key Feature Improvements in Windows 10

Many of us are probably weary with all the recent updates the Windows OS has been going through and to be totally honest, its not a fun thing to be switching from one OS version to the next, learning and unlearning things over and over again. That’s why announcement of the Windows 10 should bring some good news for all. Microsoft is calling this the most comprehensive platform ever. Here’s why.

One OS for All Devices

Microsoft is finally appearing to standardize the OS for all of its devices, PC, tablet, laptop, smartphone and even the Xbox. Although the OS was a single version, the user experience would thankfully vary between devices. There will also be just one Store for apps, which should run on any Windows device. Users will also be able to purchase an app on one device use it universally and update it across all devices as well.

The Start Menu Makes a Comeback

One of the biggest grouses of Windows 8 was the absence of a Start menu and many users felt completely lost without it.  Microsoft has finally made the appeasement in Windows 10. Expect to see a mix of the classic Windows 7 start menu as well as apps from the Metro UI here. The Start menu also offers a new customizable space to add, remove or resize your favorite apps and Live Tiles.

Easy Switching Between Metro and Classic Desktop

Remember how unnatural it was switching from the Metro UI to the desktop interface, especially on hybrid devices? Well, Microsoft is putting an end to that oddity with its major new feature called Continuum. Windows 10 will come with tablet and keyboard modes that will instantly adjust depending on the hardware you are using. This will however continue to be a work in progress.

Multiple Desktops

In Windows 10, users will be able to  create multiple desktops and switch between them easily using a new Task View button. The taskbar in each desktop can be customized and all open programs in the virtual desktops will run in the background.

Snappier New Snap

Snap is getting an update in Windows 10 when a Snap Assist UI will make suggestions to users on which apps to snap to the other side of the screen. Snap also comes with a new quadrant layout allowing up to 4 apps to be snapped on the screen. It will also support tiled displays so you can view other apps that are running, making it easier to snap another one if needed.

Open Metro Apps in a Window

Now you can open the Metro apps and ones from the Store in a window with options to close, move and resize them just like you would in any window. This certainly makes Metro apps more user friendly.

Easier Search

Finding documents and files in File Explorer will become easier as it now displays all your recently used files and frequently visited folders at a glance.

Pricing and Availability

There’s been a  lot of internet whispers about Windows 10 being given away free to users who have Windows 8 but Microsoft is holding its pricing information close to its chest for the moment. After all, that’s expected since the OS itself is expected to land only much later in 2015. A tech preview will be made available for advanced users and developers starting today at its Windows Insider Program.

So far, it appears that the improvements to Windows 10 seems to be a step in the right direction. And frankly, it doesn’t really matter if the next iteration of Windows is called 10 or 10K. What matters is that users are not made to go through a long winding cumbersome process of upgrading and that further improvements or upgrades are done in the most convenient ways possible.

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