Since last April, tech enthusiasts and IT professionals have been gaining piecemeal previews of Microsoft’s new operating system, recently unveiled as Windows 10. While this is sequentially the 9th rendition of the Windows OS, the company announced that their push to 10 indicates their intent to move into the next generation of computing. There are still a number of details that need to be ironed out before the OS is ready for public use, including the introduction of Project Spartan, but for the time being, Windows does seem to have a number of exciting changes prepared.

One of the most distinguishable themes of Windows 10 is that it gears heavily toward mobile and tablet use. That’s where the Continuum feature comes in, which automatically switches from desktop to tablet mode when a switch to mobile usage is made, i.e. when the keyboard is removed from a Surface Pro. Additionally, Windows will be introducing Cortana to desktop systems. Windows phone users are by now familiar with Cortana, the voice-activated digital assistant; Cortana has been upgraded to receive both text and voice commands, and learns from you the more you use the tool. The touch interface is also smoother and easier to use between devices.

Windows has also designed a decidedly more user-friendly desktop system. Within the start menu, users will find that designers have returned to the live tile system, allowing for greater customization and ease of use. Furthermore, the release of Universal Apps, formerly known as Modern Apps, condenses all apps into one store and allows users to access them from both mobile and desktop. Finally, multitasking is much easier, as Windows 10 introduces a Task View that allows you to see all open windows and even create and switch between customized desktops. Overall, it’s a much cleaner, attractive interface.

There are still a number of tweaks to be made before Windows 10 can be a perfect user experience, and developers plan to continue working until the ultimate release date later in 2015. For one, the Aero Snap feature is still somewhat clunky and difficult to use. Another yet untouched issue is the limited accessibility of OneDrive as compared to other cloud services. However, Microsoft has released the latest version of the new OS for developers to test, and is paying great attention to feedback.

Overall, Windows users can expect great things when they upgrade to 10–which they can do for free from versions 7 and 8 for the first year after its release. There is still some time until its official release, but on a whole, this seems to be just the update Windows needed. To learn more about new software releases, contact Firewall Computer Services at (407) 647-3430 today.