Windows 10 is the most beautiful, and the best looking Windows OS ever made by Microsoft. With over 67 million installations done in almost a week, we check out the best features of Windows 10 that you should be excited about.
Start Menu
The previous Windows 8.1 OS was mainly criticised for the replacement of the traditional start button menu with the live tiles menu for a touch-friendly experience. With Windows 10, the start menu returns with options such as settings, power, file explorer, profile and search all apps available with just a few clicks. The new start menu also features live tiles on the side which can be unpinned or resized too.
Cortana
Microsoft’s digital assistant Cortana makes it to PC’s right next to the new start menu. You can ask her questions based on your interests, set reminders, open applications and websites, and search for photos and files within the system, while web searches are powered by Bing. Interestingly, there are reports that the Cortana service isn’t supported in the UAE region for now.
Microsoft Edge
Here comes Microsoft’s next generation browser – Edge, a new browser that offers very clean and flat user interface, with some new slick animations and features such as Cortana integration. You can write notes above a webpage, mark important contents, and share with multiple platforms such as mail, OneNote, and other social apps. The best part of Edge is the Reading View that basically converts the whole webpage to simple text, making it easier for you to read.
Multi-desktop/Task View
One of the features of Windows 10 that can get experts exited is the new Task View that shows all the running apps. And that’s not all – users will be able to create separate desktops within the same monitor for different purposes, making for a more streamlined user experience.
Action Center
A feature borrowed from Windows Phone OS, the Action Center basically shows all the system notifications as a list. It can be system alerts that need your attention, latest updates, or unread mails and messages. The Action Center also features quick settings options such as switch to tablet mode, create notes, battery saver, system settings, Bluetooth, WiFi, brightness, location and airplane mode.
Xbox Stream
The new Microsoft Xbox application for Windows 10 is solely meant for Xbox gamers as a social platform to view their recent Xbox game clips, Xbox party invites, chats, unlocking achievements and Twitch. The best part of it is the Xbox streaming feature that lets gamers stream and play their Xbox One games through a Windows 10 PC.
Continuum
To have a flexible operating system that can cope up with the best of both desktop and touchscreen, Microsoft has introduced the Continuum feature that lets Windows know when the device is in tablet mode, or in desktop mode. In tablet mode, Windows 10 will feature the metro tile menu similar to Windows 8.1, and the desktop mode will have the whole desktop accessible. Also, most of the metro apps can now open as a desktop app.
Settings
Microsoft has included a new settings page that appears to be clean, simple and touch friendly. You get to access options such as System, Devices, Networks, Personalization, Accounts, Time, Privacy, Update and security. Each of these options contains an array of other features to personalize Windows. In case if you want to access other traditional Control Panel options, just search on the tab above.
Windows Store
The Windows Store app that once could be opened to a full screen size in Windows 8.1 can now be used as a normal desktop application. Microsoft has revamped the Windows Store to be as touch and mouse friendly as possible. Also, most of the Microsoft applications available for Windows Phone can be used for PC as well, thanks to the idea of unified applications.
Windows 10 is free
This is the best feature of Windows 10 for all existing Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and even Windows 7 users. Microsoft has already started rolling out the free update for all eligible users in a timely basis. For those who haven’t gotten the green light to download and install, users can download the Windows 10 download tool to manually update their Windows machines.
By Vinu Varughese
