Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

An early look at Windows 10

When it comes to introducing a new operating system for PCs, Microsoft is like the flighty date you love to hate and hate to love.

Microsoft's new Windows 10 operating system reportedly combines some of Windows 7's best features with a little bit of Windows 8.
Microsoft's new Windows 10 operating system reportedly combines some of Windows 7's best features with a little bit of Windows 8.Read more

When it comes to introducing a new operating system for PCs, Microsoft is like the flighty date you love to hate and hate to love.

One day, this date is mean-spirited, uncommunicative, blowing all your dough, and leaving you feeling stupid. Then the next time you connect, the dear one is all apologetic and lovey dovey in a "please let me buy you dinner, take me back" way.

Luckily, Microsoft is now in kiss-and-make-up mood with Windows 10, the kinder, gentler - and free - follow-up to the ill-conceived Windows 8 operating system.

Windows 10 officially went "live" at midnight Tuesday night, delivering download instructions and files for folks who put in their order early.

But Microsoft has been previewing the OS for a while. We got to admire its cleaned up and sobered graphics interface about two months ago. And the first reviews posted Tuesday (from the likes of CNET, Engadget and the Verge) were encouraging.

Here's what PC owners need to consider before taking this honey home.

Windows 10 reportedly combines a "best of" Windows 7 with a "little bit" of Windows 8 - the touch screen and live tile-obsessed follow-up that pleased laptop owners but flummoxed desktop users who couldn't even find the darned start menu. Now you have it either way.

The most radical improvements start with the voice assistant and control system Cortana (first on Windows Phone), which extends on the theme of Apple's Siri and Google Now with an "always on and listening" capability.

Also core: the much criticized Internet Explorer 6 Web browser has been pushed to the gutter to make way for a new browser called Edge. Early adopters say it runs faster and uses less memory than rivals Chrome and Firefox.

New efficiencies also include the Action View notifications center (think news, weather, e-mail, and Tweet updates) and a Task View mode that shows all open windows on one screen.

Gamers will now enjoy streaming games to the PC from an Xbox One on the same home network. And when you're on the game, record your prowess on the computer's hard drive, with no extra hardware.

Upgrading to Windows 10 is pretty much a no-brainer if you have a Windows 7 or 8 machine built in the last decade. And Microsoft wants your loyalty so badly (and that of flagging software developers) that it's offering the new operating system free, if you act before midnight on July 29, 2016. After the honeymoon's over, it will cost $120 to play the Home version, $140 for a Windows 10 Pro upgrade.

Minimum computer requirements include a modest 1 GHz processor and one GB of RAM (two GB for the 64-bit version), 16-20 GB of available hard-drive space, and a DirectX 9 or later graphics card with WDDM 1.0 driver.

How do I get it?: Take a look in your PC's system tray. Assuming you allow for automatic upgrades, Microsoft has probably already sent you a "Get Windows 10" app command. If not, do a Windows update. Tap on "Get," then follow instructions.

Hang in as the computer reboots, several times (don't panic if the screen goes blank), then asks some personalization questions. All should be done in 45 minutes, max.

Backing up a system before you do plunge into the waters is never a bad idea, but - knock on wood - not required to save files, documents and apps.

One sign that the process is not hard - Staples has offered to do the deed free, while you wait, if you take your computer into a store. But you'll surely get a hard sell for their $69.99 Data Transfer Service and $99.99 Virus Shield Plus monitoring/scrubbing software.

Of course, all equipment sellers (and Microsoft) hope Windows 10 inspires the base (still 90 percent of computer users) to buy a new laptop or desktop PC.

Early reviewers who have dived deepest are complaining of bugs. Some apps will surely balk, and need upgrading. In courting love and a new operating system, it's wise to go slowly. A month's wait won't kill you.

215-854-5960

@JTakiff