Technology: Microsoft’s Latest OS Avatar

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Intro: After the failure of Windows 8, it was hoped that Windows 9 was going to make everything better but it didn’t and Microsoft has jumped straight to Windows 10. Microsoft seems to have truly learned from the terrible Windows 8 experience and has made a really better Operating System now.

Targeting the market of large number of smartphone users, Microsoft has launched the next version of Windows recently at a press event in San Francisco. Windows 10 combines the reborn ‘Start’ menu same as Windows 8’s colorful shortcut menu tiles and adjusts its behaviour depending on how you’re using your device.

Why should we prefer Windows 10 over Windows 8?
  • ‘Start’ button strikes back.
  • Microsoft's personal assistant will be pre-loaded into Windows 10.
  • Microsoft will launch a new Web Browser for Windows 10, currently code-named “Spar-tan”.
  • A specialised version of Windows 10 will be launched for smartphones.
  • Borrowing from Apple’s OS X, Microsoft has finally introduced multiple desktops.
  • Universal apps.
  • Improved multitasking.
  • In built Mobile Device Management.

Windows 10 will officially launch in the mid 2015. So, we have to wait till then to know about its ground level advantages over previous Operating System (OS) but one good news is that Windows 10 will be available free of cost for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users for one year.
During the launch, Terry Myerson (Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s OS Group) said that Windows 10 will be designed for the enterprise, it will have a Familiar Interface, whether it be for Windows 7 or Windows 8. Also the Enterprise customers will be able to manage their own app stores, so that their employees get the right apps for them. Windows 10 will be easy to use for Familiar Management Systems, including Mobile Device Manage-ment. This tool will manage PCs, phones, tablets also.
In short, Microsoft wants to ensure that Windows 10 will have personalised results, including search results. As we know Windows 8 had a universal app platform with a common Windows Store which will handle the updates independently. In this OS, Microsoft ensured that all the users of Windows 7 will get the benefits of Windows 8 apps. As expected, users will not have to leave the Windows desktop to use modern apps.
Multitasking will also be a priority; even more advanced user will be able to take advantage of new keyboard shortcuts with the access to ALT-TAB between desktops. “It’s a nice forward enhancement to make people more productive,” Microsoft even improved the Command Line Interface, with an improved Keyboard Interface. When you swipe right on Windows 10, the Charms bar is still there but, the Charms experience would change. In Windows 10, when user swipe in from the left, he will get a task view.
Microsoft is also working on a revamped User Interface which wasn’t in Windows 8. When a keyboard is disconnected, the Windows 8 style Start menu appears and a back button is available so that users can easily back out to a prior command. This feature will help you to use your system incase if your keyboard is not working properly. And that is a prior advantage for Windows 10 users.
Myerson added in the event that, now, Microsoft needs to take the next step like pitching enterprise customers and according to the demand of the industry it’s very critical for Windows future. The more details on the consumer flavours of Windows 10 is expecting in early this year and more application details at build, and then a launch of Windows 10.
The key features of Windows 10 that can attract one towards this OS are—one OS many device, return of the start menu, Spartan Web Browser, voice assistant, snap enhancement and Xbox app for gaming.
According to Microsoft, “Windows 10 will be their most open, collaborative OS project ever.” So, we have to wait till the mid of this year to experience the latest windows OS.
Piyush Kumar (The writer is a software engineer)

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