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Advantages of Upgrading to Windows 10

A new version of Windows is soon to be released this summer. If you have not seen the news, the next Halo-inspired version of Windows is skipping “9” and going straight to 10. As with any new version, there will be a number of new features. We have compiled a little list of some of the best features for which to upgrade to Windows 10 when it is released. In honor of Windows 10, here are 10 reasons to upgrade.
  1. New Start Menu – The new Start Menu is smarter than the one in Windows 8 and 8.1. It recognizes if you are using a desktop computer or a tablet and presents you with a Start Menu that is adapted for the environment which you are using. It is even smart enough to work with convertible tablet that docks with a keyboard, intelligently shifting between tablet mode and desktop mode on-the-fly.
  2. Cortona – Cortona is Microsoft’s new virtual assistant. If you need to know something, just ask. She will be able to initiate calls, schedule reminders, set alarms, check calendars, and do many other things, all with the power of voice. She can even be asked to search for items on your computer.
  3. Notifications – Notifications have been enhanced, compared to Windows 8. There is now an Action Center you can pull out from the side to see past notifications that you might not have caught when they first appeared.
  4. Unified Control Panel – The new panel that presents all of your settings is now the same whether you are using a desktop computer or tablet. There is no separate view for each mode. This should make things easier to find, no matter what device you are using.
  5. Intelligent Home Folder – Now when you launch a new Explorer Window you will be greeted by a row of familiar folders you tend to use often, plus a lineup of recently created and opened files, making it easier to find the things you use often. That file that you just saved, but now you can not find, just open a new Explorer Window and it should appear.
  6. Boot to Desktop – Windows 10 now boots straight to a desktop mode. No more Start Page.
  7. Virtual Desktops – This feature has appeared in other operating systems for a long time, and it is now a welcome feature in Windows 10. If you have always wanted the features of multiple monitors without the cost, this is one way to achieve it. You will be able to quickly switch between virtual desktops and move applications from one desktop to another.
  8. Metro Desktop Apps – Metro apps can now be ran in resizeable windows that can be moved around the desktop, just like any other window. No more having to snap a Metro app beside a the desktop just to use it.
  9. Universal Apps – Apps from the new Windows Store will run on anything from a Windows Phone to Windows Server Edition. Settings, notifications, credentials, and even saved games, among many other things, will all synchronize between apps on different devices.
  10. Edge Browser – The new browser, codenamed “Spartan,” is set to replace Internet Explorer. The Edge browser will have deep integration with Cortona. She will show you the weather from the URL bar and maps, menu information, and contact details when you search for restaurants.
  11. Bonus: Free – We almost forgot to mention, the upgrade is free. During the first year of its release it will be free for anyone with a consumer license to upgrade from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. (Enterprise versions of Windows 7 and 8.1 will not be able to received free upgrades. This will not affect most people.)
If you’re interested in upgrading later this year, feel free to reach out to us. We can help you make the right decision in your upgrade path. As with upgrading any operating system, compatibility with third-party software and hardware will need to be checked.
We are always here to help.

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