When changing your system from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, there are a few differences that you should know about. They include differences related to the way you navigate through your system, web browsers and common Windows applications.
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is the replacement for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE), though Internet Explorer is still available in Windows 10. Internet Explorer was often put down for its slow searching and inability to keep up with features being released by its common competitors: Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Microsoft has attempted to address these shortcomings with the release of Microsoft Edge. But does it hold up as they had hoped?
Since Edge’s release, many have compared it to Internet Explorer, calling it “a radical break from IE…”[i]. Many of the issues with Internet Explorer have been solved in Microsoft Edge. Most notably, Edge has removed obsolete code to allow browsing to be quicker and more efficient. It has also allowed the use of browser extensions, features which Chrome and Firefox have had for years [i].
Microsoft Edge also integrates use of Windows 10’s Cortana (Microsoft’s “Virtual Personal Assistant service” [i]). Cortana is able to learn common actions occurring in your browser and then customize the experience of Edge to the user: this allows Edge to better predict what you want to do and begin the process so it happens quicker.
Cortana
Cortana is Microsoft’s “Virtual Personal Assistant service” [i]. Cortana is an integral part of the Windows 10 operating system: the Windows 10 search bar now opens up Cortana’s interface [ii]. Within this interface, you are able to ask “various questions, such as queries, your upcoming appointments, the weather and many others” [ii]. Cortana is also useful in remembering common searches, to minimize wait time for the user when trying to access information.
Cortana has a large range of features, including: [iii]
- Managing your calendar
- Converting measurements
- Searching the internet for facts and questions
- Setting reminders based on time and/or location to text from your PC (if you have a Windows phone)
- Translating languages
- And much more!
Start Menu
The start menu has changed from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Visually, the start menu displays tiles as well as the standard menu. These tiles are customizable.
The largest feature that has been added to the Windows 10 start menu is the ability to search for online sources directly from the search bar. This means that if you need to search something on the internet quickly, you can enter the query from the task bar and the search will be done in seconds.
The start menu also leads you to the Settings for your system, which was previously all stored in the Control Panel. Within the settings, you can adjust everything from your Display and Applications to your Internet connection and your privacy settings. The Settings application is a central hub for everything you might want to change about your computer.
Desktop/Security Changes
When developing Windows 10, Microsoft took the best parts of Windows 8.1 and put it into a Windows 7 shell. Windows Explorer was renamed to File Explorer and is now laid out much as it had been in Windows 8.1. The File Explorer now presents items that you can choose in an easy to read and follow format.
Windows 10, like Windows 8.1, includes the application Windows Defender. Windows Defender is a re-screened version of Microsoft Security Essentials. This means that all Windows machines now come with built-in baseline anti-virus software to help better protect you from malicious software trying to get onto your computer [iv].
References
[i] “5 Ways Windows 10’s New Edge Browser Beats Internet Explorer.” PCWorld. N.p., 4 May 2015. Web. 28 July 2016. <http://www.pcworld.com/article/2918252/five-ways-edge-trumps-internet-explorer.html>.
[ii] “Still Using Windows 7? Here’s Why You Should Upgrade to Windows 10.” PC Advisor. N.p., 25 June 2016. Web. 28 July 2016. <http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/operating-systems-software/windows-7-vs-window-10-comparison-review-3617974/>.
[iii] “Cortana Tips and Tricks.” Microsoft Support. Microsoft, n.d. Web. 28 July 2016. <https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17157>.
[iv] Hoffman”Here’s What’s Different About Windows 10 for Windows 7 Users.” How To Geek. N.p., 9 June 2016. Web. 28 July 2016. <http://www.howtogeek.com/219034/here%E2%80%99s-what%E2%80%99s-different-about-windows-10-for-windows-7-users/>.
[v] [Windows 10]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://i1-news.softpedia-static.com/images/news2/microsoft-confirms-some-pcs-freeze-after-windows-10-anniversary-update-install-507275-2.jpg
