To Install or Not To – Windows 10 Information

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The new Windows 10 has just been released by Microsoft! Microsoft says that this will probably be the last release of Windows and it’s marketed to combine the strengths of Windows 8 with Windows 7 with faster startup and resume time and more built-in security. I’m sure you’ve seen it touted that it will be the Windows that today’s children will grow up with. Let’s take a closer look at some of its new features.

In general, Windows 10 should be an easy transition for users currently familiar with Windows 7 or Windows 8. The look and feel are very similar with the return of the Start Menu in expanded form, a function that left its absence known in Windows 8.

Meet Cortana, an intelligent personal digital assistant already available on Microsoft Windows 8.1 smartphones. Yes, I did say intelligent. Intelligent in the way that as Cortana comes to know you better, the better she becomes at helping you out. Cortana will keep track of your interests, favorite places, and your “quiet hours” when you don’t want to be disturbed. She’ll provide reminders and suggestions. Just ask.

Windows 10 comes with Microsoft Edge, a new browser designed for a better web experience. It will allow you to write or type notes directly on web pages and share them with others, read online articles free of distraction, and save your favorite reads for later. With Cortana enabled, voice commands may be given to get instant access to key actions like making reservations or reading reviews, without leaving the page you’re on. Other features include a “reading-list” pull-out panel that lets you save articles to read later, and a reading mode that removes all content from the pages that’s unrelated to the text you’re reading.

Ever wish that you could have more than one desktop layout? Now you can with virtual desktops. It will even allow you to have up to four applications open at the same time and see all open tasks in a single view.

Should you install this newest version of Windows? In general, we would recommend waiting until some of the bugs and compatibility issues are worked out. We have seen very little issues with our clients that have ran it so far, but that population is small to say the least. If you are in a domain environment you won’t get the prompt to upgrade the free version. You can download the media for the upgrade here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10. Please read this page carefully as some Windows 7 8 installs do not qualify.

Here are a couple of things to consider if you decide to upgrade to Windows 10:

  1. You should check your privacy settings in the system settings and turn off the ones you do not want turned on (http://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-10-violates-your-privacy-by-default-heres-how-you-can-protect-yourself/)
  2. Check your WiFi Sense Settings so that your wifi passwords are not shared (Start Settings Network and Internet Wi-Fi Manage Wi-Fi Settings – Uncheck the boxes under “For Networks I Select, share them with my”

Additional Information:

A free upgrade for windows 10 will be made available to customers running Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 and Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 who upgrade within the first year after launch. More details at http://www.windows.microsoft.com. For information on obtaining your free upgrade, go to http://www.microsoft.com/EN-US/windows/windows-10-upgrade.