Top 10 Must-know features of Windows 10

The computing world has reached at an inflexion point. Microsoft – a company which ruled the PC world for since November 1985 – stands forced to metamorphose its revenue model for the world famous Windows operating system. Windows has dominated the world's personal computer (PC) market with over 90% market share, overtaking Apple Mac OS, which had been launched in 1984, a year prior to the Windows launch. It was a rosy ride as Microsoft Windows sold effortlessly like hotcakes. Its graphical user interface (GPU) was a great innovation. Till 2010, despite the challenges and criticism at times for various its versions and launches, it had no near competitor. The growing influence of Android – both in the smartphone and tablet space – significantly challenged its business. As a result, in 2012, Microsoft Windows sold less than Android. Android became the preferred choice for corporates which bought portable devices for their sales people and on-the-move employees. Dependence on PCs and notebooks diminished. And Microsoft struggled to grow.

Taking on both Android and iOS, Microsoft is all set to launch Windows 10 which sports a lot of cool features for users. It knows that its OS has to be able to server every purpose of the computing world irrespective of the form-factors. Microsoft has kept in mind the future of computing and so have built the latest OS.

What are the features Windows 10 have in store and how are you going to be benefited from them? Let's explore...

1. Free upgrade

If you are using Windows 7 or 8, you are eligible to upgrade to Windows 10 free of cost. It is an unprecedented move in the history of Windows. Microsoft has never sold it for free though it has given discounts for users who had recently bought a PC-enabled with the previous Windows OS.

2. Start Menu

Microsoft had to pay a hefty price when it launched Windows 8 sans the 'Start' menu in 2012. User resentment resulted in poor sales. And Microsoft had to quickly come out with Windows 8.1 in the same year. But Windows 10 comes with a whole new start menu that will entice. Unlike Windows 8, you will be able to navigate to apps through the 'Start' menu. The new OS comes with updated graphics and can optionally go full-screen.

3. Cortana

Cortana is one of the headline features of Windows 10. It is a digital assistant, much like Siri and Google Now which has been available on Windows Phone for a while but will now be available on PCs and tablets. Cortana will sit next to with the Start button on the desktop. Interestingly you can invoke it by saying "Hey Cortana".

4. Internet of things

Windows 10 has been built keeping in mind the growing device usage in each category of life. Microsoft has built the OS to tap the growing market for the Internet of Things (IoT). For Microsoft which is struggling to leave its impressions in the OS market, IoT is a great opportunity to expand and regain the lost ground.

5. Xbox app and streaming

Behind the runaway success of Android was the craze of gamers who found millions of games on the Play Store which now Microsoft wants to replicate on the Windows 10 by launching the Xbox One. Plus it will allow users to play multiplayer games cross-platform between Xbox One and PC.

Windows 10 will have the ability to stream games from the Xbox Box.

6. Universal apps

Windows 10 will also sport Universal apps which is good news for anyone using more than one Windows device. A package of apps including Photos, Videos, Music, Maps, People & Messaging and Mail & Calendar will look and feel the same across different devices and screen sizes. It will also help the company to compete with Android and iOS. User data will automatically be saved and sync via OneDrive.

7. Edge browser to replace Internet Explorer

Microsoft's new web browser is called Edge which will replace Internet Explorer in Windows 10. It is learnt that the browser has been built with 'interoperability' in mind. The new browser comes loaded with features such as a reading mode and the ability to annotate, either with a keyboard, pen or a finger. It also integrates with Cortana and will provide additional information – for example, when you're on a web page for a restaurant Cortana will make a booking and display information such as opening times.

8. Enhancements

In true sense, Windows 10 is the first OS which sports the features/changes suggested by its users. It includes a lot of enhancements and unified settings. It means that there will no longer be separate control panel and PC settings for different devices. There's also the Action Center now provides notifications and is synchronised across devices.

9. HoloLens

Microsoft has indeed kept the future in its fold while designing and building Windows 10 as it is the first holographic computing platform. It includes APIs that will enable developers to create holographic experiences in the real world. It's more like augmented reality but it's an interesting feature. It will work with the HoloLens which Microsoft calls the world’s first untethered holographic computer. It doesn't need to connect to a PC to work.

10. Continuum Mode

Windows 10 will make life easier for users having different deivces. You can start your work on the tablet in a metro train where you left it on your office PC or notebook thereby making your life easier. Windows 10 will have a feature called 'Continuum Mode. It will work on 2in1 devices (hybrids and convertibles). This means the OS moves easily between laptop (keyboard/mouse) and tablet (touch) usage modes automatically. It will do this if it detects the loss or addition of a keyboard.