Review: What you need to know about Microsoft Windows 10

It seems only a short time ago that the release of a new Windows operating system was welcomed with general fanfare and more than a little consumer excitement.

But that was before the PC industry began to decline, and mobile devices took over; before apps were routinely being written by teenagers, and the idea of a 21-year-old heading up their own global network was a little more scarce than it is today.

Microsoft has had a tough time of it in recent years. While you wouldn't write the tech giant off, the shift from desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets left it lagging behind. The move to address that, Windows 8, wasn't quite as successful as Microsoft would have hoped, and the company learned a valuable lesson: never mess with the Start menu.

People can adapt to change over time, but try too much too quickly and there’s a high chance you’ll come off badly in the ensuing battle. Remember the time lots of users asked for the Desktop to become an app? No, neither do we.

A little bit of back tracking and a lot of rethinking later and we’ve come to Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest operating system, released in 190 countries.

What is it?

Windows 10 is the follow up to Windows 8. Microsoft decided to skip Windows 9 altogether, possibly in an attempt to put as much distance between the new software and Windows 8 as possible. It aims to right many of the wrongs Windows 8 unleashed on fragile consumers who just wanted to know where the hell their Start button had gone

Cost?

Unlike other upgrades to operating systems unveiled by Microsoft, Windows 10 is free of charge for existing users of Windows 7 and 8.

That includes, crucially, those who have counterfeit copies of its predecessors, providing them with a chance to go legit. If you’re still on Windows XP, things are a bit less clear.

You’ll have to buy the new software but the price has yet to be confirmed. Once you own it though, that’s it. Contrary to what rumours suggested, you won’t have to pay every year to keep Windows 10 working.

If you are upgrading from Windows 7 or 8, you can download the software from microsoft.com/windows10; if you need to buy a code, it’s a trip to your local electronics shop.

What versions are available?

There are several versions of Windows available but most people will be choosing between Windows 10 Home or Pro.

The Pro version has business-level security, group policy management and remote login features, but neither version will allow you to play DVD movies natively. There is no Windows Media Center in either.

You’ll need to download a separate app such as VLC until Microsoft adds it in a later update.

What do I need?

You’ll need a computer or laptop capable of running the software or a Windows 8 tablet.

That means 1 gigahertz or faster processor, 1 gigabyte of RAM and 16 gigabytes of hard drive space for the 32-bit version or twice the RAM and hard drive space for the 64-bit version.

You’ll also need a graphics card and monitor capable of displaying at least 800 x 600 resolution.

Windows 10 also works on hybrid devices that can turn from a laptop into a tablet and back again. If that sounds worryingly like Windows 8, it’s not.

The new software is designed to recognise the type of device you are using, including details such as whether it has a keyboard attached, and it will adjust things accordingly.

When the screen size is smaller it also displays things appropriately, to make sure you aren’t peering at a tiny app on a big screen and vice versa. That means Windows 10 apps on your phone will display differently to Windows 10 apps on your laptop.

In case you’re wondering, that’s generally a good thing.

32-bit? 64-bit? What?

This is where things get a bit complicated. Windows 10 (and Vista, 7 and 8) is available in a 32-bit and 64-bit version.

This refers to how your computer’s processor handles information. Typically, the 64-bit version of Windows can handle large amounts of RAM more effectively than a 32-bit system. So if your system has 4GB of RAM or more, chances are it’s 64-bit.

What matters is that you’ll probably want the 64-bit version unless you have much older hardware or are planning to run ancient software on your Windows 10 machine.

For phones?

The version of Windows 10 for phones will be available later in the year.

Anything else?

According to Microsoft there are about 2,000 devices or configurations being tested for Windows 10, but the list of devices include raspberry Pi, Xbox One and HoloLens, Microsoft’s holographic computer system. There’s also a link with Oculus Rift.

What’s new?

The most welcome feature is the return of the Start menu. Yes, Microsoft caved and decided to bring it back, albeit in a more modern format.

Instead of the staid, boring Start menu of Pre-Windows 8 software, or the step-too-far Start screen of Windows 8, you get something in the middle. It includes frequently used menu items and basic information, but you can add your own tiles to it.

These update live, so your social media tiles will show up to date information, for example. You can also customise the size of the tile area, so if it’s not for you, you can shrink it considerably.

Microsoft’s personal assistant Cortana is also coming to Windows 10. You can use it with a search bar or voice commands. Cortana will remember your preferences and past queries across different Windows 10 devices, using your login information as its guide, and even across mobile devices such as Android phones.

There’s also Microsoft Edge, the new browser that promises to be more intuitive, lightweight and a more than worthy successor to Internet Explorer. Some features acknowledge that not everyone uses a PC, such as the ability to scribble a note on a web page with a stylus or your finger and share it with people.

If you’re a games fan, there’s also a tighter link with the Xbox One console, which will allow for video game streaming and, eventually, keyboard-and-mouse support for Xbox One games.

There are built in apps too, which cover everything from photos and maps to music and television.

Other benefits include improved security, better battery life and a generally faster feel to the system.

Universal apps?

Microsoft has realised that getting developers on board is crucial and developers would prefer to keep things simple. Universal apps mean one app will run on every Windows device, from PC down to games console to phone. All you have to do is download it from the Windows Store.

Should I go for it?

It depends. if your computer is crucial for your business and you aren’t sure if all your software will run properly with the updated operating system, it might be best to wait a few weeks to see if any bugs rear their head early on. Likewise if you have older software or programmes that have not yet been tested with Windows 10. Upgrading may mean this software no longer works properly, so tread carefully.

For the average user, it’s simpler. The Windows Insider programme has been testing Windows 10 for some time, with ordinary users signing up to run the beta software, so it’s reasonably safe to assume that the final product is a stable version.

If you are happy with how your computer is running and none of the new features appeal to you, stick with your existing set-up. But if you hate the Windows Start screen and the other quirks of Windows 8 that have been ditched in the new software, what are you waiting for?

– (Additional reporting: The New York Times)