Microsoft is set to launch their new operating system at midnight tonight. Windows 10 bringing a number of new features with it and saying goodbye to some features we have known for quite a while. The biggest question PC users will be asking themselves tonight is, "should I upgrade to Windows 10?"
The urge to download the new operating system might be killing you, seeing as Microsoft is offering free upgrades to Windows 10 for anyone running on Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and Windows Phone OS (some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1.).
Before you dive into the upgrade, you've got to know what you're working with!
First off let's take a look at what is not coming (or changing) with Windows 10:
- Windows Media Center – that's done with and will be uninstalled when you upgrade to the new operating system.
- Drivers for USB floppy drives will no longer be integrated and will need to be downloaded separately.
- Windows 8.1's OneDrive no longer will support offline placeholders.
- The option to select different methods for downloading Windows Updates (or ignoring them completely) will no longer be an option. You can temporarily disable the updates, but cannot stop them forever. Users consent to the automatic installation of all updates per the end-user license agreement. Note: Microsoft is looking into changing this and allowing users to control the updates.
Now, let's get to the good stuff! Here are some (not all) new features coming with Windows 10 (in no particular order — the links will take you to more information):
Start Menu
- It's back! It's finally back – like it was in Windows 7 (for the most part). Rejoice!
DirectX 12
- DirectX 12 is coming with Windows 10 – it's 50% – 70% more efficient than DirectX 11 in rendering speed and CPU consumption. It looks to bring "console-level efficiency" to PC's, basically it's going to take gaming to another level (if everything works swimmingly).
Unified gaming between PC and Xbox One
- Xbox head Phil Spencer has been talking about this concept a lot since the Game Developers Conference this year. This 'unified' experience will have Xbox One users streaming their games to their PC and will made "cross-buy" (allows the consumer to buy the game on one device and get it for free on another) between the PC and Xbox One an actual feature.
- Another thing to note on the gaming front, Candy Crush will be on your PC thanks to Windows 10 and a new edition of Minecraft is being developed for the new OS.
New default web browser
- Microsoft has killed Internet Explorer with Windows 10 — well, kind of. Internet Explorer isn't outright dead, but it won't be browser you use by default any more. Your new default browser will be Microsoft Edge (previously referred to as Project Spartan)
Cortana
- Microsoft's answer to Apple's digital personal assistant Siri is Cortana. The app will sit next to the start button and interact with you upon request, it will respond to you different depending on your region, play games, and complete a majority of tasks requested by it. Ultimately, Cortana works just like Siri does, ask a question and get a response – task the app with scheduling something and it will be scheduled.
HoloLens
- A super forward thinking one-day feature is support for Microsoft's augmented reality headset, HoloLens. The HoloLense will work off of voice commands, tap gestures, and gaze tracking to activate menus and navigate. There will be a 'HoloStudio' that will allow users to build, glue constructs together, spray colors, rotate and resize builds — anything built in the HoloStudio can be sent and printed on a 3D printer.
Security Features
- Microsoft is boasting some new security features for Windows 10 that should be tightening up your PC's buttons in terms of what nefarious cyber criminals can access. A new "Device Guard" feature has been added. This feature will allow administrators to enforce a high security environment by blocking the execution of software that is not from a trusted vendor or Microsoft. The Device Guard isn't the only new feature, you can check out a slew of other security changes/additions here.
Continuum
- Seamless support for those laptops and computers that can go from keyboard and mouse to touch screen. Windows 10 will automatically switch between the whichever mode you choose the moment it detects the loss or addition of a keyboard.
