Windows 10 Round up: Top features in the upcoming OS

Just a few days back when everyone opened up their Laptop, they got an invitation to register for new Windows 10. A small 4 face grid that lightened up everyone’s weekday morning and like a kid with candy they registered themselves for it. Some of us still think that this is a trial version, but it’s not. Microsoft  has assured all its users that the new Windows 10 upgrade is a free version, which will be available for one year starting from the time of its launch. You need a 3 GB capacity of data downloading to avail the same, that’s all. Also, some other specifications are needed to like

• Latest OS: Make sure you are running the latest version either Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 Update.
• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC
• RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
• Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS
• Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
• Display: 800×600 minimum.

In case you have registered for Windows 10, you can also see the status of your upgrade, right-click on the Get Windows 10 app or Windows icon located at the right end of the task bar. After that simple select “Check your upgrade status”. One can also cancel their Windows 10 reservation by simply clicking on View confirmation and then clicking on cancel reservation.

So here are few good and not so good things about Windows 10, which may help people to decide whether to take an update or not.

1. Start Menu is back!

So I have Windows 8.1 laptop, and I hate the start menu in the Windows 8 edition. And I miss the classy start menu, blue in colour with a Windows logo, boring buttons and easy to click. And maybe I want to live in my own traditional-start-menu-phase. But apart from my ranting, Windows 10 is now back with Star menu. A new sexy version in fact! With the same corner left placement, Windows 10 start button has mixed  the Metro Start screen’s functionality including sprinkling Live Tiles of Windows 8-style apps next to short cuts to more traditional PC software. You can always turn off the live functionality in Windows 10 and also unpin inbuilt apps that will come on the start menu. Or you can elaborate it to Windows 8 style by resizing Metro apps to recreate a more Windows 8-like experience. The choice is totally yours.

2. Windowed Metro Apps

The metro apps that you also have in your Windows 8 version have not been eradicated completely. But now they fit into your Window screen. In Windows 8, the apps open up in full screen, but in Windows 10, these apps adjust themselves to a Windows size of proper width and length. The Windows app also come with mouse friendly tool-bar across the top to adjust the size of the Window as per your need. But then, there is an issue you cannot cut and paste text from Metro app to a normal app.

3. Better Action Centre

A sheer wasteland in previous versions of Windows, Windows 10 has a much better version of control panel settings and action centre. In the right-hand corner, a separate hub is created wherein you can get all your notifications at one place. Also, these notifications will be integrated to all you Windows devices. In case you have read a notification in any of the devices, you won’t see it again in your notification panel when you open your laptop.

4. Cortana

The one in your Windows 8 might be a little flaky, but one in the Windows 10 version is a little better than that. Cortana is Microsoft’s digital assistant, where she assumes control of the operating system’s search functions. Cortana will want to access your personal info, then use that info along with her Bing-powered cloud smarts to intelligently surface information you’re looking and perform other helpful tasks.

5. Codename Project Spartan i.e. Microsoft Edge

The new browser from Windows, Microsoft Edge. Internet Explorer has still been given some space in Windows 10, just like rights of the first wife in Hindu mythology, but Microsoft Edge has taken all the applause. Microsoft has built a new browser built from the ground up for speed, slickness, and trawling the modern web.  Some of its slicknesses include providing map direction while looking for a restaurant in the nearby locality, digital inking tools that let you easily mark a website and share with your friends etc.

6. Mail and calendar apps

The mailing system in Windows 8 is eradicated by the new version of Mail in Windows 10. It includes POP Mail option along with syncing with your calendar. Makes up for all those birthdays and meetings that you missed previously. The most amazing feature in mailing section is swiping option. You can simply swipe left to delete a message and right to flag is as important if you want.

7. Continuum:

A gift to all the touch screen users from Microsoft.  Windows 10 includes a handy “Continuum” feature that dynamically switches the interface between the PC-friendly desktop and a Windows 8-like mode that’s better suited for fingers, depending on how you’re using the device.

Windows tablets will default to the latter; PCs to the former. And hybrids will intelligently switch between the two modes depending on whether you have a keyboard attached. In tablet mode, the Start menu expands to fit the full screen, as do Metro apps. If you’d like to force a switch, the new Action Center has a dedicated “Tablet Mode” button that you can enable or disable at will.

8. Adios Charms:

Charms menus do not exist in Windows 10 which is like relief from that irritating search option that used to pop up in case your finger slips just a little bit. The settings have been solidified by removing the 2 buckets section, previously installed in Windows 8 version. Now there is a simple settings menu, minus charms!

9. The X-Box App

The new app should feel deeply familiar to Xbox One fans: The centre point is your Activity Feed, which is populated by your Xbox Live Friends’ activities, such as unlocking an achievement or launching a Twitch stream. The right side of the app puts up a list of your friends; selecting one offers options to view their game clips, invite them to a party, and more. One can also view the achievements and manage their profile too. Eventually, you’ll be able to stream your Xbox One games to a Windows 10 PC or tablet.

Read more related to Windows on Inspire2rise:

• Microsoft Windows phone 8.1 review and features
• Microsoft is coming up with a new browser ‘Spartan’
• How to record screen on Windows using VLC
• How to download using torrents on Windows

Shreya Verma

Shreya Verma is a Bibliophile, food lover and a wild child! Currently working as an HR professional and trying to make a name in this big world!