Windows 10 is now ready to rock 'n roll in everyone's PC. For those who haven't upgraded yet or are still undecided to get one, it would be wise to hear what early users have to say on their first day of usage.
Those who are upgrading to Windows 10 on their desktop or laptop PC would surely be pleased to know that the well-loved Start menu is back and is probably staying for good. Microsoft didn't only revive the feature, but it had also redesigned it in such a way that it embraces the best aspects of both Windows 7 and 8. It is still nestled in its original location on the lower left-hand corner of the PC.
The Live Tiles can also be found inside the Start menu. The latter displays an interesting mix of features, which include easy access to settings, restart or shutdown; a pinning option for both modern and traditional apps; and a unique list of apps that the user often accesses along with a jump list for work-centric apps such as Word.
Two words usually come out when one wants to describe Windows 10: "Continuum" and "Universal."
Microsoft has designed Windows 10 to allow users to easily transform from using a touch-focused to a traditional desktop platform. This feature, otherwise known as "Continuum," allows seamless transition between varying work environments. While it is optimized for multi-function devices such as the Surface, it's also useful when the user feels the need to connect a keyboard and a mouse to his Windows 10 tablet.
When in tablet mode, users can enjoy a simplified taskbar, a Windows 8-inspired Start screen and a full-screen view of every application. The interface is automatically switched as soon as Windows 10 detects that the keyboard is detached. However, there's also an option to manually switch from the settings menu.
"While testing Windows 10 on a Surface Pro 3 over the past few months - first with the preview builds and finally with the complete release - I grew to appreciate Continuum as I moved between typical work tasks and more fun things, like reading digital comics with Comixology. It's certainly better than how Windows 8 handled the difference between tablets and traditional computers," said Devindra Hardawar of Engadget.
According to Microsoft, Windows 10 will run on a number of devices. These include smartphones, tablets, convertibles, laptops, AIOs, desktop PCs and 84-inch Surface Hubs. Apart from being a "Universal" OS across all devices, it also boasts of running "universal" apps which include the Xbox One games console. This feature eliminates the trouble of getting one's self acquainted with various user interfaces for using a number of incompatible devices. With Windows 10, multi-device sharing is now made simpler.
"Windows 10 works well, and didn't break any of my older Windows software," said Jack Schofield of The Guardian. "Windows 10 is a significant upgrade and the extras are worth a try, especially if you can talk to Cortana. That's probably not what I would have said three months ago, but using the final build has changed my mind."
Another user talked about the experience in using Windows 10 and compared it with the MacBook Air.
"Windows 10 is hugely exciting. I rarely touch my MacBook Air anymore as I find the combination of some good hardware (like the Dell XPS 13) and Windows 10 is a joy to use. I like the direction Microsoft is taking with Windows 10, accepting feedback and ideas from its customers along the way. It feels like the best way to shape Windows into something people enjoy using, rather than something they have to use," said Tom Warren of The Verge.
Microsoft has been touting the new OS as its best version ever and probably the last one it is making. It has saved the best for last and also for the right reasons.
