Microsoft just finished announcing Windows 10, the next version of the Windows operating system. Besides the shocking name, Windows 10 will be the most ambitious operating system Microsoft has ever created. The company’s vision of unifying all of its different devices and platforms under one version of Windows is finally coming to fruition. Windows 10 won’t be out for quite a while (late next year) but you can get your hands on it tomorrow with an early Technical Preview. Here’s everything you need to know about Windows 10.
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Which Windows 10 version should I get?
Windows 10 will fight piracy by giving it away this summer
Microsoft skips Windows 9, jumps to Windows 10
Windows 10 gets mid-2015 release date
Windows 10 will be free for Windows 7 and 8.1 users for one year
Windows 10 ‘Continuum’ feature detects whether you’re using keyboard or touch
Windows 10 makes organizing windows easy with multiple desktops
Windows 10 will feature a hybrid Start Menu
How to get Windows 10’s best features right now
The Windows 10 preview expires April 15, 2015
You can update to the Windows 10 Technical Preview from Windows 7
Windows 10 Technical Preview gets a share button for File Explorer
First update for Windows 10 Technical Preview rolling out now
Windows 10: the 10 most requested features
Microsoft expands on Windows 10 security features
Windows 10 trackpad gestures finally make sense
Leak: Windows 10 to get Xbox app and Cortana
Which Windows 10 version should I get?
Windows 10 is due out this summer and the big news is that it’s going to be free for Windows 7 and 8 users for a limited time. Today, Microsoft released more information about the upcoming operating system, detailing the six (yes, SIX) different versions of Windows 10 that will be available. So much for Microsoft simplifying Windows.
Windows 10 will fight piracy by giving it away this summer
Today, the company surprised us even more by announcing the free Windows 10 update will be available to both “genuine and non-genuine” copies of Windows 7 and 8.1. Piracy has been a long standing problem with Windows and Microsoft has tried many things to prevent piracy, none of which have worked.
Microsoft skips Windows 9, jumps to Windows 10
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Microsoft just announced that the next version of Windows will not be called Windows 9, but Windows 10 instead. “It wouldn’t be right to call it Windows 9. But unfortunately, Windows 1 has been done,” said Windows chief Terry Myerson. Windows 10 will run on a large array of devices from phones, tablets and desktop computers. Microsoft is finally going through with its vision of one version of Windows on all platforms, including the Xbox One.
Windows 10 available late 2015, preview out tomorrow
The next version of Windows, Windows 10, will be available late next year. Microsoft just finished wrapping up its announcement of Windows 10, showing off all its new features like a hybrid Start Menu and multiple desktops. Windows 10 is Microsoft’s most ambitious version of Windows, unifying the company’s products under one operating system. Phones, tablets, laptops, desktops and even the Xbox One will run Windows 10.
Windows 10 will be free for Windows 7 and 8.1 users for one year
Microsoft will be following in Apple’s footsteps by offering its upcoming operating system for free for one year after launch. OS X users received a free update to OS X Yosemite last year and Microsoft promises to give away Windows 10 when it launches later this year.
So why is Microsoft doing this? Windows is less of a product now than it is a platform. What that means is that Windows has evolved into an operating system that attracts users with its ecosystem and services, rather than just features.
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Windows 10 ‘Continuum’ feature detects whether you’re using keyboard or touch
Image credit: Paul Thurrott
Microsoft is finally fixing Windows 8’s confusing mouse and keyboard controls. The company tried jumping into the tablet space with Windows 8 but ended up confusing desktop users. With Windows 10, the operating system will be smart enough to detect when you’re using a mouse and keyboard or when you’re using touch and will offer two modes to choose from.
Windows 10 makes organizing windows easy with multiple desktops
Windows 10 was just announced and we’re just learning about its new features. We reported rumors that the operating system would feature multiple desktops and now it has been confirmed by Microsoft. The company is making it easy for Windows 10 users to keep track of all their open windows with multiple desktops. Mac users will be instantly familiar with this feature as it mimics Mission Control. Your virtual desktops are shown at the bottom of the screen with your open windows up top.
Windows 10 will feature a hybrid Start Menu
Windows 10 was just announced and one of the biggest features is its hybrid Start Menu. Many users moving from Windows 7 to Windows 8 found the full screen Start Menu too confusing. Microsoft resolved this by combining the best features of both the Windows 7 and Windows 8 Start Menus. On the left, you’ll have your most recently used apps listed as they are in Windows 7. To the right, you can pin Windows 8 apps, which features animated Live Tiles that give you up-to-date information as it happens.
How to get Windows 10’s best features right now
Windows 8 wasn’t as successful as Microsoft had hoped, but with Windows 10 it will try to correct its mistakes. Windows 10 contains a lot of new features, but many of these improvements are already available on Windows 8.1 with some useful third-party apps.
The Windows 10 preview expires April 15, 2015
Microsoft announced Windows 10 yesterday, but it won’t be ready until 2015. Today, the company released a preview of the operating system for all users to try out. Users noticed that the preview is set to expire on April 15, 2015, which coincides with Microsoft’s target of a mid-2015 launch.
You can update to the Windows 10 Technical Preview from Windows 7
Last week Microsoft made the Windows 10 Technical Preview available for download. Now it’s possible to install it like an update directly from Windows 7.
To get the Windows 10 Technical Preview, you have to sign up to the Insider Program. After downloading and running the file, it will launch Windows Update. This is easier than the Windows 8 Technical Preview, which came as an ISO file, requiring a manual install.
Windows 10 Technical Preview gets a share button for File Explorer
In the Windows 10 Technical Preview, which you can read all about here, there’s a new Share button in File Explorer.
The Share button allows you to easily share selected files, like photos, with other apps you have installed. You can share photos directly to Facebook or Twitter for example, if you have those apps. The share feature exists in Windows 8.1 now, but isn’t available from File Explorer.
First update for Windows 10 Technical Preview rolling out now
If you’re testing the Windows 10 Technical Preview, the first new build is now being rolled out. It’s snappily titled build 9860.
You’ll get the build automatically, and it will be downloaded with no input from you if your PC is plugged in, on or sleeping. To get it manually, open PC Settings > Update > Preview Builds, then click the Check Now button to get the new build. The download will be between 2 and 2.74 GB, depending on your PC specs. Once your PC has installed the build and rebooted, eventually you’ll see Windows 10 as you left it, with all the apps and everything else you’ve installed.
Windows 10: the 10 most requested features
Microsoft launched a Windows Features Suggestion box to collect the feedback of Windows users and find out what they wanted from the next version of the operating system. You can visit the suggestion box and vote for your 20 favorites.
Microsoft expands on Windows 10 security features
Windows 10 will have two-factor authentication by default, replacing the normal single password system that is no longer seriously secure.
Two Factor authentication means as well as a password, you need a second piece of information to get into an account. Typically, this is a code sent to your mobile device – it’s much less likely that a hacker can get your password and access to your second device.
Windows 10 trackpad gestures finally make sense
For far too long, Windows reacted unpredictably to different trackpads from different manufacturers. That’s because each manufacturer creates their own software for gestures and scrolling. With Windows 10, that changes.
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Leak: Windows 10 to get Xbox app and Cortana
A leaked version of Windows 10 shows Microsoft is working on an Xbox app and integrating Cortana into the operating system. The inclusion of Cortana shouldn’t come as a surprise since we’ve already seen leaks in the past.
It’s logical for Microsoft to build an Xbox app since it wants to unify its operating systems. The Xbox app for Windows 10 will serve as a hub for all things Xbox, including your friends list, achievements, activity feeds, and the digital store to buy games for your console.
