Windows 10

31 Mar 2016

Windows 10 is an operating system from Microsoft Corporation for servers, desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, phones, and other connected devices (i.e. Internet of Things). The OS was formally announced on September 30, 2014, in San Francisco with Microsoft's Joe Belfiore and Terry Myerson on stage. It was released worldwide on July 29, 2015.

Windows 10 for Phones was released as a Technical Preview on February 12, 2015 to various Lumia phones. The OS had the internal codename 'Threshold'.

A Technical Preview for the OS was launched on October 1, 2014 by Microsoft for users to try an early version of Windows 10 for feedback. On January 21, 2015, Microsoft revealed the consumer side of Windows 10, including its plans for mobile and gaming. The final unveiling of Windows 10 took place during Microsoft's Build 2015 conference.

Windows 10 'skips' Windows 9 for its name for various reasons, including it being such a big update that it moves beyond just a single number upgrade.

Windows 10 gives users more choices between using the Start Screen (ideal for tablets and touch-screen devices) and the Start Menu (better suited for PCs and traditional laptops). A forthcoming feature called 'Continuum' lets the OS automatically switch between tablet and desktop mode depending on the presence (or absence) of a mouse and keyboard. Users can also override any settings, making the default Start Menu or Start Screen their choice.

Other features in Windows 10 include multiple desktop support, Modern apps are scalable on the desktop, new Start Menu (combo of traditional Start Menu plus room for Windows Apps), new task view button, new snapping options for apps, and improvements to file explorer for quickly finding files. These moves are largely considered to have been made by Microsoft to win over Windows 7 users who have not updated to Windows 8 due to unfamiliarity and a steeper learning curve.

For developers, there is application platform and one store for all the apps, which can run on all hardware, regardless of form-factor. These apps are called 'universal apps' because they can be run anywhere.

On March 30, 2016 during their annual Build conference, Microsoft announced a Windows 10 Anniversary Update that would come as a free upgrade to current users. The update includes new features thanks to feedback from Microsoft's Windows Insider program.

Expert analysis

Don't miss our uber in-depth Creators Update review

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Microsoft's newest software update for Windows 10 is almost here, and it contains a whole load of tweaks and enhancements for everyone. This is our in-depth hands-on review.

Windows 10 help, tips and tricks

Staff 2 years ago

Windows 10 is Microsoft's all new operating system for everything. From PCs to phones, Xbox to IoT, Windows 10 is on them all. As with all things new there will be a learning curve. There will be problems, questions, tips and tricks. That's where we come in. All our Windows 10 help and how-to posts can be found right here. From beginner topics through to the more advanced users, we're...

Installing Windows 10

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While Microsoft wants us to upgrade to Windows 10 using Windows Update, many users want to perform a clean installation. This guide we go through all the steps to help you with the process while remaining activated.

Options to roll back

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Mauro Huculak 2 years ago 147

While Microsoft aims Windows 10 to be its best operating system yet, many people may considering to downgrade to Windows 8.1. This may be because the new operating system is not working as they were expected. If that is you, in this new how-to guide we go through three different ways you can go back to Windows 8.1!

Windows 10 Mobile

Staff 1 year ago

Windows 10 Mobile is the latest iteration of the Windows operating system, now unified with the Windows Phone OS. It was released as an opt-in Technical Preview 2 (build 9941) on February 12, 2015 to a subset of current Lumia phones, including the Lumia 635, Lumia 730 and Lumia 830. It has since expanded to include almost all of the current Lumia range. Windows 10 Mobile is the first...

To be continued

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update: Everything we know so far

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The Fall Creators Update, Microsoft's next major update for Windows 10 is now in development. Here's everything we know so far.

Recorded April 13th 2018

Windows Central Podcast 87: RS4 is late

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This week on the Windows Central Podcast: We talk Redstone 4's delay, new Redstone 5 developments, and more

Get yer fix

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Dan Thorp-Lancaster 1 day ago 1

Though we're only a week past April's Patch Tuesday, Microsoft today shipped another set of cumulative updates to Windows 10 Creators and Anniversary Update PCs.

Let's try again

Windows 10 Redstone 4 build 17134 now rolling out for Insiders

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Build 17134 is now rolling out for Insiders in the Fast ring as Redstone 4's new RTM candidate after a last-minute blocking bug found 17133 unfit for public consumption.

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7-in-1

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