Windows 10 debuted on July 29, 2015, bringing a host of interactive and intelligent features. It’s fascinating to highlight some of its standout capabilities. But before that, let’s spotlight a remarkable and unique feature of Windows 10: Wi-Fi Sense. This feature is secure unless misused. It allows users to share Wi-Fi networks with a single click on the “Share network with my contacts” box—without revealing or exchanging passwords among contacts.
Windows 10
Beyond this, Windows 10 introduces many other practical and intriguing features. Let’s briefly explore ten of them:
- Start Menu Returns: The Start Menu is back in Windows 10. Microsoft’s attempt to remove it in Windows 8 was controversial, so the company restored it in this latest version.
- Move Over Siri and Google Now—Meet Cortana: Microsoft’s digital voice assistant, Cortana, is now part of Windows 10. It’s a handy scheduler and more, once you sign in with a Microsoft account. Cortana can quickly answer almost any question, much like Apple’s and Google’s assistants.
- Farewell IE, Hello Edge: The well-known (but not always beloved) Internet Explorer (IE) has been replaced by the Microsoft Edge browser. Edge features Cortana integration, a reading mode, and annotation tools. It’s time to embrace Edge and leave IE behind.
- Multiple Desktops: Microsoft considered professionals when developing Windows 10. The Win-Tab shortcut lets you add and switch between desktops. Power users will appreciate running multiple apps on different desktops simultaneously.
- Continuum Enables Touch Mode: Microsoft made it easy to turn a PC into a tablet if it has a touchscreen. With Continuum, users can activate touch mode and make their PCs function like tablets. Keyboard and mouse revert to desktop mode as needed.
- Universal Apps: Microsoft encourages developers to create universal apps that work seamlessly across all MS devices. Apps like Netflix, VLC, and Plex are already available, and more are expected as Windows 10 promotes this approach.
- Enhanced Command Prompt: The command prompt now supports keyboard shortcuts, making it easier to paste commands. Windows 10 gives users more control over the command prompt than ever before.
- Enterprise Features: Windows 10 is more business-friendly than ever, with robust enterprise features and mechanisms. It can separate personal and corporate data, making it the most powerful OS for organizations to date.
- OneDrive File Fetching: The “Fetch files” feature returns with OneDrive in Windows 10. Users can enable it and use the OneDrive website to retrieve files from any connected Windows PC (as long as the PC is powered on).
- Snap Windows with Snap Assist: Snap Assist lets users easily snap windows into new positions and tile them. This is especially useful for professionals who need to organize multiple windows efficiently.
To sum up, as Windows Insiders have said: Windows 10 combines the strengths of Windows 8 and Windows 7. In short, Windows 10 is designed to deliver a more personalized and familiar experience.
