Windows 10: new cocktail of old wines?
As a single OS for mobile and desktop environments, Windows 10 has lots of user-friendly features. But at times it feels like a mix of Windows 7 and 8
NEARLY 25 years ago, Microsoft’s launch of Windows 3.0 changed the way you would look at your PC, as it ushered in graphic user interface that made its famous operating system match the colourful Apple Mac. It went on to rewrite the history of personal computers.
We have come a long way since, then, traversing laptops, notebooks, netbooks, smartphones and tablets on the way. But where does that leave your PC? How does Windows 10 —said to be a leap and hence named thus straight after Windows 8.1 —change the experience?
THE BIG CHANGE
The start button is back. It had disappeared in the earlier version, Windows 8. In fact, in Windows 8, if you don’t have a touchscreen monitor you need to go back to the desktop mode to get usability. This, indeed, is a welcome change.
LIVE TILES, SOCIAL UPDATES
In earlier versions, once you pressed start, you had to perform a list of actions to get the information you wanted. In other words, more and more clicks. With Windows 10, you have live tiles that show up the moment you click the start button — from unread messages to weather information to stock alerts to social media updates. It also does away with the need to drag things around and resize them according to preferences, by enhancing Snap with a brand new “quadrant layout”. Now you can have four different apps arranged on the screen, allowing you to see more data.
MULTIPLE SCREENS
As a first, you can have multiple desktop screens, which will allow you to group work and personal items separately — you can have your Facebook and Twitter windows open on one desktop, while keeping WILL I HAVE TO PAY?
Late 2015. The technical preview runs till April 15, 2015 WILL I HAVE TO PAY?
In the past, every time you wanted a OS upgrade, you had to pay. However, under Microsoft’s new licensing policy, you may not have to pay for the upgrade but nothing is confirmed yet
Word and Powerpoint on another. You can switch between desktops, add more desktops, or view all open tasks using a single click task view button on the task bar.
With Windows 8, each app
Yes, from http://bit.ly/ htwin10. Remember, this is a technical preview and is not stable for day-to-day use
CAN I GO BACK TO MY OLD OS ONCE I INSTALL IT?
Yes, you can, but you will need to reinstall your OS. o make sure you have full backups before you install the preview
opens up in a full-screen window. In the new version, apps open in a “window” mode. Like a desktop programme you can move them around and also maximise, minimise and close buttons using the title bars. Technology is all about continuous upgrade. So, if you are using a Windows XP or Windows 7 computer, which can’t be upgraded to Windows 8, and you are in no hurry to replace it, we suggest you wait and upgrade next year. In case you are running a computer that runs on Windows 8, you may be able to run Windows 10 on it.