Windows 10 is coming – Are you ready?

Later this month, July 29 2015, Microsoft will release they next operating system, named Windows 10. Microsoft themselves think it is such a big release that they have decided to skip Windows 9 and goes directly to Windows 10. No doubt, that Windows 10 is very important after Windows 8, that was not much appreciated by desktop users. Microsoft need a good alternative to Windows 7, that many user around the world is still using. If fact, if you are already using Windows 7 or Windows 8 you will get an offer to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, within the first year.

What is new in Windows 10?

Ok, Windows 10 is a free upgrade, but why should we upgrade and what does Windows 10 offer us. Here is a little list of some of the new or improved features for Windows 10:

  • Start menu returns with Tiles embedded
  • Virtual desktops
  • The Command Prompt enters 21st century
  • New Action Center
  • Microsoft Edge (New web browser)
  • Windows 10 is a free upgrade (for most users)

Return of the Start Menu

With Windows 10 Microsoft re-introduce the start menu, but in a new way, that combines the best from Windows 7 and Windows 8. Personally, I think it works great and I know it that many Windows 7 user that has upgraded to Windows 8 was very frustrated that the Start Menu was moved to a separated screen.

New Start Menu
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Virtual Desktop

Virtual Desktop is something Linux distribution have had for many years. In Windows 10 that is a built in feature where you can organize your open programs on multiple virtual screens, even you only have one physical screen on your computer. You can add virtual screens with the key combination: Windows Key + Ctrl + D or using the new Task View button in the task bar and click New Desktop in the lower left corner of your screen. Not sure what the upper limit for Virtual Desktop is, but adding 50 was no problem at all 🙂

Virtual desktop
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The Command Prompt enters 21st century

I have no clue why it has taken Microsoft 20 years, but finally copy/paste works out of the box with Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V as we know it from all the other programs we are used to use. It might not be something normal users will ever need, but as a system administrator like me it is something I have been missing for many years.

Command Prompt

New Action Center

I have never been a big fan of Windows Action Center, bit in Windows 10, it seems like Microsoft have made an Action Center that is more helpful and less annoying 🙂 In the new Action Center, you have quick access to features like Tablet mode, quiet hours and VPN and you can see if there is any message from the system you should look into.

Action Center
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Microsoft Edge – New Browser

Microsoft has never been in the top of the game when it comes to web browsers, but I think it is a good idea that they have chosen to start over, creating a brand new web browser to replace the old Internet Explorer that has been around in more than 20 years. Windows 10 will be shipped with both Internet Explorer 11 and the new Microsoft Edge. That is both god and bad. We will have the backward compatibility with old websites and plugins, but it does also means that we will have to patch all the security holes that properly still will be in Internet Explorer 11. Hopefully Microsoft Edge will be better to keep up with the new web standards on the Internet. I am sure webpage developers around the world will be happy to see a browser that can show a CSS layout correct like Chrome and Firefox.

Microsoft Edge
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Free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users

There has been many rumors about prices and free upgrades for Windows 10. If you already have a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free within the first year of the release. Microsoft has already released a little updated (KB3035583) for Windows 7 and Windows 8, teasing for the coming upgrade to Windows 10 (See picture below). You properly already have installed it on your computer with the offer for a free upgrade to Windows 10, when it will be released starting 29th of July.

Win10_desktop-pop-up_en-us-gb

Get_Windows10

Windows 10 FAQ & Tips

There is a many questions these days about Windows 10. Microsoft have made a FAQ with some of the most asked questions about upgrading to Windows 10. You can see it here: Windows 10 FAQ & Tips

Are you going to upgrade to Windows 10?

Personally, I think I will wait for the final version before I decide if I will upgrade to Windows 10, but I must admit that I are tempted to go for it. It seems to have all the good things from Windows 8, combined with the thinks we miss from Windows 7. Only time can tell. How about you? Do you want to upgrade to Windows 10?

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16 Thoughts to “Windows 10 is coming – Are you ready?”

  1. Yeah, just waiting for 29 July. And its 17.

    1. Just a little week to wait now 🙂

  2. I’m using windows 8 original version its totally different from windows 7 now if we’re receiving windows 10 means alot updation would been available.Need to have some tutorials or some instruction guide for accessing it but windows 10 might have good security then previous versions.

    1. Hi
      I you don’t already have it install update KB3035583. It is available via Windows update. It will give you the little white Windows 10 logo in the notification area. It will help you with all you need to know about updating to Windows 10 when it becomes available.

  3. Just a few day more and we will able to use Windows 10 RTM. I heard Microsoft has released the Windows 10 build 10240 without build watermark number on the screen and it could be an RTM version.

    Have you try it yet ?

    1. Hi Alize
      I have installed build 10240 and it is correct that the watermark is gone in this build. I guess it actually could be an RTM version.

  4. Windows has improved their many features as well adds many. It is a combo of Windows7 and Windows8. But the best thing in Windows 10, its free! Can’t Waiting for upgrade.

    1. Just a little week to wait now, Biplob 🙂

  5. nice review sir. Actually i am currently on windows 10. It looks amazing and can easy attract you towards it. maximum performance and better task

  6. Hey Thomas,
    I am eagarly waiting for the release of Windows 10
    in India as soon as they will release their package
    i will get it one for me… After i read your article
    I think i should get it as soon as possible.

    Anyways thanks for introducing Windows 10 to me… : )

  7. buzukh

    It looks amazing and can easy attract you towards it. maximum performance and better task

  8. Sandesh

    windows 10 is best os from microsoft so far it is very impressive with some outstanding features like virtual desktop.

  9. So I updated to Windows 10, what a nice looking menu bar, oooo the start menu all very nice … Hang on a minute, where’s my sound? For some reason only known to Windows 10, the update has killed the speakers on my computer and now I can only hear sound via the headphone jack on the side of the machine.

    Could I get help from Microsoft, could I heck …. Curse you Microsoft!!

    1. Hi Karen
      Sorry to hear you are struggling with the Windows 10 upgrade. It sound like you should look for some new audio drivers from the manufacture of your computer.

  10. venkatesh

    Thanks. Finally i upgraded to windows 10 and its running absolutely fine.

  11. Arpan Aravandekar

    Free upgrade for win 8 users is the biggest thisng i love about win 10.just started downloading win 10.

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