New Details on Windows 10 Released

Good news for all those waiting on the next version of Microsoft’s flagship Operating System. At a special event on January 2, Microsoft lifted the curtain on Windows 10. It is more like Windows 7 in terms of usability, but also incorporates some of the good features of Windows 8, such as Live Tiles.

If you are familiar with Window 8, you know that it was a bit confusing having a screen dedicated mainly towards touch screen devices, while maintaining a separate, traditional desktop, minus the Start Button. Windows 10 features a single, unified desktop, with the Start Button you are familiar with from Windows 7. Microsoft wisely added live tiles to the Start Menu, which is a welcomed change in terms of modernizing the menu, while keeping the usability users expect.

Since Microsoft controls over 90% of the worlds desktops, they understand users have high expectations of Windows 10. While Windows 8 was not the disaster that was Windows Vista or ME, it still runs on less desktops at this point than Windows XP. Windows XP support ended over a year ago.

Some of the new features are highlighted from the announcement:

• The Upgrade to Windows 10 will be free for current Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users
• Office basics, such as Excel, Word, and Powerpoint will be included at no additional cost
• Cortana, Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri will be included
• An all new browser to replace Internet Explorer called Spartan.  It is designed to rival Chrome and Firefox
• Continuum, a feature that lets you resume your work as you jump between Windows devices
• Unity.  The same Windows 10 OS is being rolled out across all of their devices, such as Phones and Xbox.

While many of these features have been available from Apple for a couple of years, no doubt Windows users will welcome the addition.

Nine Virtual Technologies Engineers have been running a Technical Preview of Windows 10 for several month and are excited about offering the upgrade to their customers once it is released for General Availability. If you are an existing customer, we will upgrade you at your convenience. If you are thinking about moving your company into a cloud hosted space, there is not better choice in terms of support, performance, or cost than Nine Virtual Technologies.

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