Now that Microsoft has finally unveiled its latest operating system, Windows 10, everybody wants to know about its new features, and how it is better from the previous versions Windows XP, Windows 7, and particularly Windows 8. According to Microsoft, Windows 10 will be the most comprehensive platform ever, and it will run across an extensive set of devices ranging from 4 inch small touch enabled smartphones and tablets to 80 inch large screen computing devices.
Windows 10 has some great new features and many enhancements over Windows 8 to make your life and work easier. Now, the much criticised Start screen of Windows 8 is removed, and an improved Start menu comes back in Windows 10 which also includes colorful live tiles for Metro apps.
Although Windows 10 is currently not available to download, you can take an early look at the future of Windows by using the Windows 10. We have installed Windows 10 to take a closer look at its new elements, improved features, and the changes expected in Windows 10.
Note: The features listed here are based on what we found while reviewing the Windows 10. Some new features might be added while some of the features described below might get changed or removed in the final Windows 10 operating system.
Let's look at Windows 10 features with screenshots
Improved Start Menu:
Microsoft has decided to bring the Start menu back with some improvements in Windows 10. The new Start menu looks like a combination of of the Start menu of Windows 7 and the Start screen of Windows 8. It has two columns, the column on the left side is fairly similar to the Start menu of Windows 7 while the right column containing Metro styled live tiles resembles the Start screen of Windows 8.
The Start menu is resizeable now, which means the Start menu can be resized by holding the top of the Start menu with the mouse and dragging it up and down. The live tiles area also get resized with the Start menu, and the tiles are repositioned. You can add a number of apps to the live tiles area of the Start menu. If you add a large number of apps, a scrollbar appears at the bottom of the tiles depending on the size of the screen.
The start menu has a search bar at the bottom which can be used to search for local files, applications, and also the Internet through the Bing search engine.
For touch devices, the Start screen is still available, but it contains a column on the left side to show All apps button and shortcuts like the Start menu.
Multiple desktops in Windows 10:
Windows 10 is going to offer virtual desktops through a new feature called "Task View". The Task View feature is added to improve the multitasking experience. Task View can be used to switch between currently opened applications in a desktop. It can also be used to switch between desktops, create new desktops, and close desktops that were created earlier.
If you use many applications at the same time then this feature will be quite useful for you. Task view lets you create virtual desktops. You can organize groups of applications with the help of these desktops.
Universal app windows:
In Windows 8, Metro apps open in fullscreen windows which cannot be resized like normal desktop applications and switching between Metro apps was also not easy. The two systems of applications, Metro apps and regular desktop apps, caused a lot of confusion among Windows 8 users especially when they have to learn some simple things like switching between Metro apps.
In Windows 10, both Metro apps and regular desktop applications open in similar windows with options for minimizing, maximizing, and closing at the top-rignt corner as they used to be in Windows 7. Now Metro apps windows can also be resized, dragged around, and positioned using the mouse which was not possible in Windows 8.
Continuum:
Windows 10 has the ability to detect and switch between touch and non touch based interfaces. This is a very useful feature for 2-in-1 PCs, convertible laptops, and tablets which come with detachable keyboard docks. When the keyboard is detached, Windows 10 will ask you whether you want to switch to the tablet mode or not. If you want transition to the tablet mode, you can select yes and the user interface will change accordingly.
Finding files is easier in Windows 10:
The File Explorer in Windows 10 organises and displays your Recent files and Frequent folders making it easier for you to find the files you have recently opened or the folders which you visit frequently.
There are many changes expected in Windows 10 such as the removal of charms bar from the desktop, addition of cortana( an intelligent personal assistant app), notification panel, an intuitive user interface, snap enhancements, startup and shutdown performance improvements, etc.
