Windows 10 is Microsoft's latest and, ostensibly, last version of its desktop and mobile operating system. The impact of the OS not just on users but on channel resellers is significant and will remain so for some time.
Here, we look at everything Windows 10 and Windows 10 mobile have to offer, including the latest news and reviews.
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Latest Windows 10 News15/09/2017: Windows 10 will receive a number of additional privacy enhancements as part of the operating system's upcoming Fall Creators Update, Microsoft has revealed.
Available from 17 October, the major refresh will allow users to view more information about data used by the Redmond giant, with two key privacy changes to the setup process.
The first tweak provides users with access to the Privacy Statement from within the setup process, designed to improve transparency about the data Microsoft collects.
The second focuses on the setup of new devices, with improved privacy settings on the Learn More screen. This means users will be able to jump straight to individual settings for location, speech recognition, diagnostics, tailored experiences and ads instead of scrolling through the entire privacy statement.
Microsoft is also making it easier to control which Windows Store applications have access to private information. With the Fall Creators Update, users will see permission prompts before an app can access specific device capabilities and information - including use of the camera, microphone, contacts list, calendar and more.
The refresh will also provide Windows 10 Enterprise users with greater control over the amount of diagnostic data that Microsoft collects from their business.
"As part of our ongoing dialogue and transparency with you, our customers, I am excited to announce these privacy changes coming next month in the Fall Creators Update," Marisa Rogers, Windows and devices group privacy officer, said in a blog post. "Windows Insiders will get an early look of some of these changes in the coming weeks. I look forward to continued dialogue and hearing your feedback."
06/09/2017: Windows 10 businesses users will be able to upgrade from the lightweight S version of the platform to the full-on pro iteration free until 31 March, Microsoft has revealed.
The company decided to extend its free upgrade offer by three months, which it's hoping will entice more people to sign up to the Windows Store-only version of the operating system. If users find that not being able to download and install full-fat software from third parties, it will allow them to make the switch.
However, the company is still insisting it's the more secure version of Windows 10 yet, despite cutting a lot of the functions of the platform.
In other Windows 10-flavoured news, Microsoft also revealed it would be rolling out the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update on 17 October as a completely free upgrade.
The update was announced by Terry Myerson, the company's executive vice-president of Windows and devices, who highlighted some of the headline features.
"As part of the update we will deliver an evolution to the photos experience that will let you tell your story like never before using photos, videos, and 3D effects; enhancements in gaming, security, accessibility, and immersive new experiences made possible by Windows Mixed Reality," he said in a blog post.
"All of this innovation will be brought to life by a range of beautifully designed, and feature rich modern devices available from our hardware partners."
18/08/2017: Microsoft announces Windows 10 Pro edition
Microsoft has announced the arrival of new Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, which has been designed to meet the needs of advanced users on high-end PCs.
The latest addition to the Windows 10 family will arrive as part of the upcoming Fall Creators Update and will come with "unique support" for enterprise-grade PC hardware, Microsoft says.
"Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, created with feedback from Windows Insiders, introduces new features to leverage the power of high-end PC hardware," Klaus Diacon, Partner Group Program Manager for Windows & Devices Group, announced in a blog post.
"The value of Windows 10 Pro for Workstations is directly aligned to increase the performance and reliability of high-end PCs."
Windows 10 Pro includes a resilient file system (ReFS) to protect against data corruption, persistent memory in the form of non-volatile memory modules (NVIDMM-N), faster file sharing, as well as expanded hardware support.
"Performance is a very important requirement in this new world of fast paced innovation and we will continue to invest on Windows 10 Pro for Workstations to enable Windows power users to maximize every aspect of their high-performance device," Diacon said.
Windows 10 UK reviewJump to:
Windows 10 is Microsoft's latest (and, if you believe the company's rhetoric, 'last) operating system, which it hopes can revive its fortunes in both the consumer and business world following the debacle that was Windows 8.
For many companies the decision to stay with Windows 7, rather than upgrade to Windows 8, was clear: the radically different interface was confusing to the majority of users, many of whom will have been using Microsoft's interface in their home and work lives for decades.
There were also significant problems with the usability of the OS – while it was supposed to work equally well with touchscreen and traditional desktop devices it simply didn't, and the prophesised touchscreen revolution failed to take off.
Attempts were made to rectify this with Windows 8.1, but the company was still unable to persuade IT departments to make the switch, leaving Windows 7 with the majority market share.
In Windows 10, Microsoft has made a brave attempt to unify some of the features introduced in its last OS release with the familiar interface of Windows 7 and earlier in order to persuade both businesses and consumers that, this time, they can upgrade with confidence.
User interface overview
With Windows 8, Microsoft completely overhauled the user interface of its operating system. Out went the desktop, file explorer and Start menu, which had been in place since the mid 90s and in came Live Tile touch-optimised interface. And users hated it.
Three years down the line, the desktop and Start menu have been restored and are once again front-and-centre. This is not a total reversion to the past, however: Windows 10 still has a distinctly Modern UI flavour, with white text on a black background, sharply defined edges and corners on windows, menus and live tiles (more on these in a moment).
In short, it's not a return to Windows 7, but it is an acknowledgement – and rectification of – the problems of Windows 8. Crucially, while it is different to both, it will be familiar enough to current users of either platform that it won't alienate them.
Start menu and live tiles
One of the biggest missteps Microsoft has made in recent years was to kill off the Start menu in Windows 8, replacing it with the Live Tile Start screen instead.
Having recognised this error, Start makes a comeback in Windows 10, but it is quite different from Windows 7 or XP.
In the Start menu, users will find a list of recently used applications, see an alphabetical list of installed programs and, if desired, pin their Home folder or its preset sub folders, such as Documents or Pictures.
To have quick access to favourite apps, users will need to add them to a new part of the Start menu, which has the Live Tile interface. It is fully customisable and there is in fact no obligation to use it – users can simply have nothing saved in there.
In our opinion, this is a happy marriage, with neither aspect interfering with the other, and is an even more convenient way of accessing frequently used apps than in previous versions of the Start menu. It is also intuitive, with users unlikely to be confused by the interface
Cortana and Edge browser
Cortana is Microsoft's answer to Siri and will already be familiar to Windows Phone users. It is an enhanced search function that is built into the operating system, allowing users to search for programs, saved files and so on, but which can also search the internet.
This is quite handy, as it provides users with a single location on the far left of the Task Bar where they can conduct all searches. The only difficulty is remembering that it is there – searching for apps and files with Cortana comes naturally, but the ability to search the web is easily forgotten.
Cortana can be activated using voice or typing, but we are unsure how useful the voice feature is on a laptop or desktop, as opposed to a phone or tablet.
Edge is Microsoft's new browser, which replaces Internet Explorer. In terms of looks, it is quite similar to Chrome, which could help users transition onto the new service, assuming, of course, that they are familiar with Google's browser.
Cortana is also built into Edge, although it has to be enabled manually. Essentially, Cortana in Edge offers added context – when a user navigates to a page where Cortana can offer more information, such as Yelp reviews or a location on a map.
It's a nice to have, but unfortunately it doesn't make up for some of Edge's other missing features, most notable of which is the current lack of support for extensions, which had been promised before the end of 2015 but has been pushed back to next year.
Continuum, multiple desktops and Hello
Continuum is a new feature in Windows 10 that serves to retain what worked best from Windows 8 – the Live Tile interface when used on touch devices.
If a user is using a convertible device, such as the Lenovo Yoga 3 or Surface Pro 4, when they switch it to tablet mode it will show the Start Screen, rather than the Start Menu.
Tablet mode also means all apps automatically display in full-screen, and the task bar becomes simplified, with all the icons hidden.
Additionally, users can see two apps side-by-side in split-screen mode, so they can easily work across, for example, email and a word document at the same time.
However, there are some hardware limitations currently, with the feature working much better (or, indeed, at all) on Microsoft's own Surface 3 and Surface Pro 4 than on some other convertibles – at the time of testing, drivers for Continuum weren't available for the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro or HP Split x2.
Another new feature with Windows 10 is multiple desktops. While Windows has supported virtual desktops for a while, this is the first time it has been made available as an inbuilt feature.
Users can access multiple desktops through the Task View interface, which lets them add, remove and move between virtual desktops. They can also move apps between desktops although currently there is no drag and drop option.
Windows Hello is a new security feature that uses facial recognition to log users in. It is quite fast and saves users having to remember a password to login, as well as removing the risk of such a login being stolen. It is limited, however, to devices using Intel's RealSense 3D camera, which means it will be out of reach for most users.
Universal Apps
Universal apps are an integral part of Windows 10. As the name suggests, these are apps that are compatible with all Windows 10 devices, including smartphones and tablets, as well as traditional laptops and desktops.
Universal Apps are designed to provide a seamless experience across devices, which is aided by the fact their data is stored in the cloud, so it's more than just a case of a familiar look and feel for the user on their phone as on their laptop.
From the Universal Apps we have tested, the idea is well executed. However, it could present some challenges for IT administrators, who may want to implement additional security measures to stop users from downloading inappropriate apps onto their work devices.
Business versions and pricing
While the consumer version of Windows 10 (Windows 10 Home) is a free upgrade to Windows 7 and 8.1, this is not the case for business versions.
Windows 10 Pro is aimed at small businesses and includes device and app management, data protection services, and support for remote and mobile working, as well as all the features of the standard consumer version.
Windows 10 Enterprise is aimed at larger businesses. It includes the features of Windows 10 Home and Pro, as well as Update for Business. This tool allows IT administrators to manage Windows 10 updates more easily, specifying maintenance windows rather than have them rollout automatically. It is also compatible with System Center and Enterprise Mobility Suite.
Windows 10 Pro costs $199, so around £150 per licence inc. VAT. Those wanting Windows 10 Enterprise will need to contact Microsoft directly for a quote.
Windows 10 and the channel
Windows 10 presents both challenges and opportunities for the channel. On the one hand, it is proving very popular among businesses, with figures released by Spiceworks showing 11 percent penetration in the business market within three months of its launch, which equates to eight million PCs. Therefore, selling devices to customers should be less of a challenge than Windows 8 and 8.1 devices.
On the other hand, there's the question of Windows 10 being "the last version of Windows". A new release of Microsoft's operating system has traditionally brought with it a tsunami of new devices. With these big Windows launches apparently gone, OEMs could follow suit, which may cause challenges for channel partners.
Windows 10: the verdict
Windows 10 has an awful lot going for it. It is familiar enough that those used to Windows 7 and before will be able to adapt to it with relative ease and minimal training and support. It also has enough bells and whistles to make it stand out as an OS that is firmly of our time.
While some features are, as ever, less useful than others, Windows 10 washes away the stain of Windows 8 and is something both businesses and consumers can embrace with confidence.
Windows 10 MobileWindows 10 Mobile is the latest iteration of Microsoft's smartphone operating system. Following on from the release of its more mainstream stablemate, Windows 10 Mobile is set to roll out to users in the next few months, with Microsoft hoping that it can revitalise its flagging smartphone business.
Release date
Similar to Google's strategy for major updates to its Android software, Windows 10 Mobile is rolling out with Microsoft's flagship phones first. The newer Lumia devices – the 550, 950 and 950 XL – all launched with the new operating system preinstalled.
Existing Lumia customers, however, will have to wait until an unspecified future date to update their devices, unless they want to get early access via the Windows Insider programme.
Microsoft said in a December 2015 blog post that it was planning Insider builds from then "into next year", meaning it could be some time before a stable release is issued to older devices.
How to Update
If you really feel the need to get your hands on Windows 10 Mobile right now, you can help to beta-test it by signing up to the Windows Insider programme. You'll have to have a compatible device first though – the full list is here, but most modern Lumias are now supported.
Designed for hardcore Microsoft devotees, the Insider programme gives members access to pre-release builds of Windows software, with the caveat that they're likely to be buggy and rough around the edges.
If you don't mind installing experimental software on your device, you can sign up to the programme here. Once you've done that, download the companion app to your Windows phone, and it will walk you through the update process.
Features
Many of the main features of Windows 10 Mobile are based around deeper integrations with its desktop counterpart. The most obvious of these is Microsoft's Universal Apps strategy, the aim of which is to have software like Office 365 that works seamlessly across both platforms.
Windows Hello is similarly set to be a comprehensive biometric login across all your Windows devices, using methods such as iris scanning, facial recognition and fingerprint reading to grant access.
Continuum for Phones, meanwhile, effectively turns your handset into a mini-PC. With the help of either Miracast or an external dock, the feature lets you use a keyboard and mouse with applications such as Microsoft Edge and Office software.
Windows 10 Enterprise Migration: Your checklist
Source: Windows 10 UK review: Fall Creators Update will enhance user privacy
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