Windows 10 is all what Windows 8 should have been. But now it is still too soon to make such a statement, the previous version is only one week old and it is only a sample of what Microsoft promised they have prepared. Still, it has errors and you definitely shouldn’t install it on your main computer.
This version of Windows seeks to correct many of the critics and nightmares that arose because of the great changes of Windows 8. Windows 10 is also a further try to unify the experience of computers and mobile devices.
A new start
Depending on whether you use a mobile device or a hybrid, or a traditional computer, once you start Windows 10 you will see the traditional desktop -which we know from several versions of Microsoft’s OS- or you will have the Start screen with the tiles (you have the possibility to request it to always start in desktop mode).
The desktop screen has undergone some changes; a more flexible Start menu with an icon on the lower-left corner that opens it up. Windows 10’s Start menu has a field that searches for files and apps on the computer and that also offers results from searches on Bing – Microsoft’s search engine.
On the left column you find the traditional menu that we know, with apps and shortcuts to ‘configuration’. On the upper part you can see the user name and picture, the place where you can change users, close session or lock the computer. Next to it there’s an icon to turn off, reboot or activate ‘sleep mode’.
On the right part are the tiles, the place where you can add or pin practically any app or put them in a different order by dragging these apps. You can change the size of the Start menu by placing the mouse on the borders. In addition, Windows 10 allows you to pin apps to the task-bar by just right-clicking them and selecting the option.
Old is new again
Windows 10 combines features that we have already known for several generations, but they are displayed in a slightly different way and with greater utility. You can arrange the Start menu with your favorite apps or the ones you use more frequently and they have live-tiles which continuously show you information to keep you up-to-date with the weather, calendar, email, etc.
Unlike Windows 8, you can open a “Modern” app and now it will show in a window-shape and you can also display them in full screen. You can minimize them and maximize them. Likewise, they now added a new button on the left part (“…”) which offers you some of the options you used to find on the Access bars and others. This includes ‘search’, ‘share’, ‘play’, ‘configuration’, ‘print’ and ‘full screen’.
Windows 10 is smarter and allows you to work more efficiently. Next to the Start menu icon you find an icon to make searches on your system, just like on the internet. Also, you find another icon to the right of the search one (called Task View) which allows you to create and administrate different virtual desktops. You can transfer apps between desktops and right-click them to select the desktop which you want the app to be placed in. You can activate Task View by pressing the Windows key + Tab on the keyboard.
Also, the function of adjusting windows is smarter. You can adjust up to four windows at a time by dragging their corners. If you have different apps open and you adjust half of the screen (with one or two apps), Windows 10 offers suggestions to adjust other apps on the part of the screen that is still available.
The future of Windows 10
The great change that Microsoft promised with Windows 10 is still pure theory; this will be an OS for every kind of device, offering an adequate interface that adapts to a desk computer and even tablets and mobile phones. This includes universal apps which can run adequately in any of those devices with Windows 10.
All these functions which show this great future are not available on this trial version of Windows 10, but eventually you will be able to change between hybrid devices like Surface Pro 3 easily; you are shown the Start screen but once you connect the keyboard, it disappears to bring the desktop mode. Actually, the only sign of having Windows 10 right now is the number of construction that lies on the lower-right part of the desktop.
First impression
Windows 10 is not going to solve everything but it does correct some of the elements from Windows 8 that made us feel uncomfortable in our computers. Microsoft still keeps in mind the great goal of making Windows the OS for every kind of device and with Windows 10 they are taking a leap forward.
We are still to see more clearly how that adaptability is going to work on different screen sizes and on different kinds of device, just like when a keyboard and a mouse are plugged or unplugged.
Windows 8 tried to take us to the future but its adaptation between devices with touchscreens and traditional screens was not reviewed very well. Microsoft seems to have the right answer with Windows 10.
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