Microsoft has launched its new operating system Windows 10 as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was revealed on September 30, 2014, and it will be released in the second half of 2015. Microsoft is offering first year of upgrades to Windows 10 at no charge for user’s of Windows 8.0, 8.1 and Windows 7.
Windows 10 unlocks new experiences for customers to work, play and connect. Its goals are to address inadequacies in the earlier introduced UI in Windows 8. It targets to improve the user experience for non-touchscreen devices like desktop and laptops, including a new revision of the desktop Start menu and a virtual desktop system.
A fresh start Windows 10
Start menu: ‘Start menu’ the old favorite of Windows 7 and earlier is back, and it brings along a new customizable space for user favorite apps and Live Tiles.
All thing runs in a window: From now on Apps from the Windows Store now open in the same format that desktop apps do and can also be resized and moved around, and have title bars at the top by which user can maximize, minimize, and close with a click.
New Snap mode: Quadrant snap shortens the process of snapping more than one app to a screen. Once you drag an app to a corner, it snaps to fill half the screen, and a new snap assistant displays the remaining apps so that you can snap another, if you want. Drag a third app into a screen corner and Windows 10 rearranges the windows to create a vertical division between that app and another (with the option to pick and snap a fourth app). Quadrant view with four apps really requires a large screen to work well.
Virtual desktops: Windows 10 introduces Virtual desktops, controlled from the Win+Tab task switcher keystroke or from the new task switch icon on the Windows task bar. It's easy enough to create a new Virtual Desktop: Just click the ‘+’ symbol at the bottom of the task switcher window. These desktops share the same wallpaper as other desktops.
Cortana comes to PCs: Cortana is a software agent which works like an intelligent personal assistant. It can perform tasks or services for an individual. Cortana's is able to set reminders, recognize natural voice without the user having to input any predefined commands, and answer questions using information from Bing.
Spartan: A new lightweight browser ‘Spartan’ is introduced in Window 10. It won’t be available in the first version of Windows insider build, and it will only come to phones. The Spartan browser includes a note-taking mode that lets you make notes on a webpage. Then we can share this marked-up, commented-on version with others using Windows 10. Cortana is also being integrated directly into Spartan.
Surface hub and Windows Holographic: Surface hub is a hardware which Microsoft has rolled out. It is an 84-inch, 4K, touch-enabled display for office collaboration.
Windows Holographic is a headset, it is a new Windows 10 technology. It brings virtual reality to your finger tips with the help of a headset with a screen and built-in head tracking, The ‘Holo Lens’ is able to project holograms into real life, through the display, and overlay them onto objects and walls.
Conclusion:
It’s still hard to judge exactly what shape Windows 10 will take in its launch version. Technical preview looks stable and familiar. The UI seems to be much better in terms of user friendliness and learning curve.
Many things seem to be in place. What we're waiting for now are the supporting services to get a better understanding of the final product.