Windows 10 release date, features, devices and free upgrade: Windows 10 can now run on ARM CPUs

Windows 10 at-a-glanceWindows 10 launched globally on 29 July 2015 and touted as "the last version of Windows", marking the end of decades of occasional heavy duty OS updates in favour of a more incremental approach. Available as a free upgrade for a year after launch, Windows 10 became full price on 30 July 2016. Here's our round-up of everything you need to know about Windows 10.

Windows 10 started rolling out on 29 July 2015 as a free upgrade

Windows 10 free upgrade ended 29 July 2016 and Anniversary Update launched on 2 August

Read our full review of Windows 10 here

Enterprise users can manage company-wide rollouts for Windows 10 updates

Microsoft Edge replaces Internet Explorer as Windows 10's default browser

Android and iOS apps will run on the new OS

Jump to:

" title="<--wysiwyg_see-related_plugin-->" class="wysiwyg_plugin_see-related drupal-content mceItem" data-mce-src="/profiles/dennis_distro/modules/contrib/wysiwyg_see_related/plugins/see_related/images/see_related.content.png" width="50px"> Windows 10 latest news

21/11/2016: Microsoft has released Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14971, making many new apps and features available to Windows Insiders.Among other tools included in the build, is a preview of the much-awaited Paint 3D app, presented at the 'What's next for Windows 10' event in October.Paint 3D is a new version of Paint, that allows users to make their drawings or paintings both in 2D and 3D. The app has a fairly simple interface and was said by Microsoft to be targeted at a wide range of users.Windows users subscribed to Windows Insiders will now be able to test this new app in its fresh Preview version.For the time being, the Paint 3D Preview app is only available in English, but Microsoft says support for other languages will be arriving soon.Last week, Microsoft also extended the community counterpart to Paint 3D, called Remix 3D Preview, to Windows Insiders in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.Other tools within the W indows 10 Preview Build include the ability to read EPUB books in Microsoft Edge, PowerShell becoming a new alternative command shell from File Explorer (replacing Command Prompt in some menus), as well as an improved typing experience for Japanese and Chinese Input Method Editors (IMEs).The Preview Build also features a customisable reading experience when accessing EPUB books in Microsoft Edge, allowing users to change fonts and text size. Users can also choose a preferred theme such as light, sepia and dark.Users will also be able to ask Cortana to define specific words.Read about other tweaks and new tools within the new Windows 10 Insider Preview Build here. The Windows 10 Creators update should be released for free in Spring 2017.11/11/2016: Microsoft may be planning to include a 'virtual trackpad' in the next major Windows 10 update, due out early next year.The virtual trackpad mimics the physical trackpad seen on laptops, including two buttons for left and right clicking.Th e feature is designed to help tablet users control external displays without a mouse, and once activated, pops up to fill the lower right corner of the screen. This can then be used to manipulate the cursor, allowing users to interact with non touch-based extended displays.While not officially confirmed by Microsoft as a forthcoming feature, the new tool was spotted by eagle-eyed early adopters, packaged in an early Windows 10 build released as part of the Windows Insider Program.If it is officially rolled out, however, it is likely to arrive as part of the Creators Update, the company's next major OS upgrade, which is slated to arrive 'early next year'.07/11/2016: Microsoft can't seem to catch a break when it comes to web browsers, as their Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer platforms saw another 40 million deserters in October.This means a staggering 331 million users have abandoned Microsoft browsers this year in favour of rivals such as Chrome and Firefox, according to a new r eport by Net Applications.According to the data, the market share for Internet Explorer has halved, falling from 46% to 23%. Combined with data for Edge, Microsoft holds a market share of just 28.4%, which could fall near 20% by the end of the year if the trend continues.Approximately 466 million users were using Internet Explorer and Edge by the end of October, according to analysis by ComputerWorld. This is a fall of around 40 million users from September's 506 million. Overall IE and Edge together have lost approximately 331 million users since the start of the year.To put that into perspective, almost 371 million PCs are currently running Windows 10, according to Net Ap plications.Most Microsoft deserters seem to have fled to Google's Chrome browser, which has seen a massive 22.6% increase in market share this year, accounting for over half of all browsers for October. Google are not the only ones enjoying the user exodus, as Mozilla's Firefox has jumped 3.5% in just three months to 11.14%.Availability is still a key factor as Microsoft Edge is only available on Windows 10 devices. As of October, Windows 7 still accounted for over 48% of the OS user base, with just over 8% still on XP, leaving only 23% of users able to access the latest Microsoft browser.Conversely Chrome and Firefox enjoy the luxury of being available on all versions of Windows and even MacOS.The news comes following recent complaints that Microsoft is actively trying to vilify Google Chrome. Users have reported seeing notifications in their Windows task bar, which suggest Chrome will consume more battery life than Edge. This overtly aggressive promotion of their own browsers seem s to have backfired for Microsoft.26/10/2016: At today's hardware event in New York City, Microsoft introduced new features as part of its Windows 10 Creators Update.The update will be available from early 2017, and aims to provide greater creativity tools for Windows 10 users.The new features introduced today particularly focus on 3D creations, VR integration, game broadcasting and communicating with others.During the event, Microsoft announced a partnership with Trimble to bring SketchUp creations to its own 3D painting community.The new Windows 10 Creators Update will introduce 3D creation tools within the Paint 3D app and PowerPoint. It will allow users to create 3D pictures, export Minecraft creations and print them on a 3D printer.The new 3D tools will let users scan 3D objects and create emojis. Users will also be able to create 3D models on PowerPoint, to make their presentations more engaging.The 3D creations made on Windows will also be viewable with augmented reality tool HoloLens.Windows 10 will also be getting new VR integrations, with OEM-built headsets to be released. Microsoft's Terry Myerson said: "With the Creators Update, our partners, including HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer will be shipping VR headsets."Microsoft also introduced some of the new Xbox and gaming related features, including the possibility to broadcast through the Xbox app and create tournaments.Another focus of the new Windows 10 Creators Update will be that of making communicating with others easier.New features that were presented at the event will allow users to integrate e-mail, Sky pe and Xbox Live messages, filtering by the most important contacts. This should allow users to be primarily notified for the messages that are most important to them.A taskbar widget will allow users to contact and share files with their five favourite contacts, and other communication-geared widgets will also be included.Terry Myerson said: "With the Creators Update we are placing people at the centre of your Windows experience."The last major Windows 10 update, called the Anniversary Update, was released in August.26/10/2016: Microsoft may introduce a new 3D-supporting Paint app at today's Windows 10 event.The New York event, starting at 3pm BST, will likely announce new Surface devices, but Redmond is expected to provide a sneak peek of an upcoming Windows 10 update too.Redstone 2, due for release in March 2017, may include a revamped Paint app built for 3D object support, something designed with HoloLens in mind, and it will allow designers to create 3D drawings and annotate t hem with a stylus.Microsoft is also set to announce a Surface all-in-one that will be pitched firmly at designers, so the Paint app could signal the company making a wider effort to appeal to the design sector.17/10/2016: Windows 10's next major update will come in March 2017, according to Microsoft observer Mary Jo Foley.Redmond's own ship target for the update, dubbed Redstone 2, was first revealed on Twitter by Tero Alhonen, who spotted a reference to a new Windows 10 version, '1703', in a Microsoft security setting (the numbers refer to the year and month of the update).Foley, who confirmed the date with her Microsoft contacts, pointed out on ZDNet that the expected release date doesn't always line up with actual release date, though, so Redstone 2 could land a little later than that.Little is known about the expected features contained within the upcoming version of Windows 10, but Microsoft may reveal some of them at its upcoming event in New York on 26 October, where it is expected to discuss the operating system and some of its hardware projects.12/10/2016: Windows 10 users are once again running into errors following a cumulative update released yesterday.The monthly maintenance update, with the support number KB3194798, seems to have broken Windows 10 for many users, mere days after Microsoft fixed a buggy Anniversary Update issue.The cumulative update build 14393.321 for PC and mobiles brought a swathe of behind-the-scenes fixes for security and performance, but also broke the OS for some.Many users have encountered a "Failed to complete installing updates! Undoing changes" error since the patch released. This appears every time they try to install the update, followed by a reboot and a system restore to the previous build.On the Microsoft community forums one user says: "I've tried to process this update a few times through Windows Update, but it fails each time, uninstalls, and puts things back where they were. Any thoughts?"One theory was tha t Nvidia registry entries may be conflicting with the update, however other users have reported this is not the case.Another user said: "Cumulative update for Windows 10 failed to install on 10/11/2016. Six times yesterday. Current attempt stuck at 62% for the past hour and a half."IT Pro has approached Microsoft for comment but has yet to receive a reply.07/10/2016: Microsoft has resolved an issue with the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview update that, in some cases, led to an infinite loop during the installation process.In a statement, Microsoft said: "We became aware of an issue with the recent Windows 10 cumulative update that impacted a small number of customers in the Windows Insider Program that were running a previous build of the OS. We have created a solution to resolve this issue, which is now live and can be accessed here."05/10/2016: Microsoft is now working on a fix for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which has been causing issues for some of its users ever sinc e it was rolled out earlier this month.The latest version of the update (Build 14393.222) has been infuriating some users, particularly due to a glitch in its installation process that drags the system into a loop of failed attempts.Some users have expressed their disdain on social media, and Microsoft addressed the issue in a post in its support forum.Its post reads: "We've been working diligently on this issue and are finalising a clean-up script that will fix the underlying issue preventing the install of KB3194496 (Cumulative Update 14393.222) for affected users. Your patience during our research and subsequent work is greatly appreciated."Although some developers had already been spotted these issues when Microsoft delivered the update to its Insiders beta testers, it was released to the public regardless, causing even greater outrage in some of the affected users.This installation loop glitch was not the only problem that users reported, though, as some also had issues with t he system freezing during login or generally as users were working on their computers. Microsoft solved some of these freezing issues last month.Since the release of Windows 10, Microsoft has also issued several patches that tackled security bugs in the system and in some of its new features, including problems with Microsoft Edge, Explorer, Office, Exchange, and Adobe Flash Player.27/09/2016: More than 400 million devices now run Windows 10.Microsoft announced the milestone at its Ignite conference yesterday, just three months after reaching 350 million devices in June.Yusuf Mehdi, corporate VP of the Windows and Devices Group, claimed it was evidence of more enterprises adopting the operating system.He said: "With more than 400 million monthly active devices now running Windows 10, enterprises are moving faster than ever to the most secure Windows."New corporate customers include Land O'Lakes and Expedia, whose director of IT, Armand Campo, said: "We chose Windows 10 because of the myriad of enhancements; from faster boot & login times, security offerings, and mobile friendly enrichments."Modern technologies such as BitLocker, Credential Guard, and Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection offer end-to-end security features that promote mobility while reducing worry."Windows 10 reached the vast majority of its users as a free upgrade, which stopped in July, and Netmarketshare statistics show the operating system remains less widespread than one of its predecessors, Windows 7.While Windows 10 was installed on 23% of desktops in August, up from 21% in July, while 47% of desktops run Windows 7 -- remaining constant over July and August.Despite reaching 400 million devices in 14 months since its release, Microsoft has abandoned its aim to reach 1 billion devices in 2017.14/09/2016: Microsoft may be waiting until November to push the Windows 10 Anniversary Update out to some customers, reports have claimed.An email from Microsoft included a footnote reve aling that, starting from the Anniversary Update's initial launch on 2 August, the upgrade could take up to three months to complete its rollout, according to ZDNet.The report claims that Microsoft is staggering the release of the update in order to keep a handle on how the update is performing and keep track of any reported bugs. This would appear to be a smart move, as the Anniversary Update has introduced compatibility issues for many applications, including security software.07/09/2016: Windows 10 managed to swell its userbase figures in August despite Microsoft ending free upgrades to the operating system.According to figures released by Netmarketshare, the OS accounted for 22.99% of the desktop market in August, up from 21.13% the previous month.However, the share for Windows 7 also increased to 47.25%, an increase of 0.25%. Even Windows 8.1 managed to grow its share to 7.92%, up 0.12%. Windows 8 dropped to a 1.82% market share.Windows XP still managed to feature in the marke t, with 9.36% of all PCs running the ancient operating system. 25/08/2016: Microsoft's latest Windows 10 update does not introduce any new features but does address various quality issues in the operating system.Build 14393.82 improves the reliability of Windows 10's Network Controller, DNS Server, PowerShell and printer pairing.It also fixes a series of bugs, starting with a flaw that stopped external media from playing on the Xbox One when using the 'Cast to Device' option. Other Xbox One problems it solves include the device being unable to launch Netflix via the DIAL protocol, and video stopping while audio plays on a TV app.The latest build also ensures 3G and 4G options appear correctly on Windows 10 Mobile settings now and fixes some minor problems in Internet Explorer 11.However, running the update will cause some problems in PowerShell – namely, you'll lose the functionality to import a module, and PowerShell Desired State Configuration will stop working. Fixe s for these new bugs will come in a fresh update on 30 August.22/08/2016: The Windows 10 Anniversary Update has caused webcams to stop working, potentially affecting millions of users across the globe.The problem stems from Microsoft disabling both USB-connected cameras and those using the same network from using certain MJPEG and H.264-encoded streams in an effort to allow multiple programs to access the webcam simultaneously.Unfortunately, the change freezes the devices when running programs such as Skype instead, according to Paul Thurrott.Many general and enterprise customers have taken to Microsoft's support Dev Centre forum to complain, where an engineer from the Windows camera team has said a patch should be engineered by the end of September."We worked with partners to make sure their applications continued to function throughout this change, but we have done a poor job communicating this change out to you guys. We dropped the ball on that front, so I'd like to offer my apo logies to you all," he wrote.18/08/2016: Windows 10 faces fresh privacy concerns after security experts found the software sends some form of metadata back to Microsoft every five minutes, no matter what users disable in order to prevent it.The discovery was made by Mike Patterson, founder and CEO of security analytics company Plixer. Despite turning off every possible feature to stop the data transfer, the operating system still transmitted information back to Microsoft's servers.Microsoft could have sent the unencrypted data over an encrypted connection if it was concerned about eavesdroppers, Patterson said, but pointed out that the company instead encrypted the data itself and transmitted it over an unencrypted HTTP connection."This extra effort to encrypt indicates that Microsoft not only didn't want non-authorized users of the machine from accessing the data," he said; "they also didn't want the end-user knowing what was being sent."Furthermore, while group policies governing telemetry data are available, telemetry cannot be entirely disabled without an Enterprise Edition of Windows 10.Patterson also found that McAffee's antivirus software and Plantronics' telephony equipment was also regularly transmitting encrypted information back to off-site servers."This is actually a widespread problem; not only with software we install, but with many free web application as well," said Andy Green, senior technical specialist at security firm Varonis. "Far too many treat your data in the same way as Plantronics and McAfee.""The core issue is the Terms of Service that we robotically click on. Since few of us read the Terms of Service, we as consumers are essentially signing a contract that allows the company to access behavioural and personal data."IT Pro contacted Microsoft for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication.15/08/2016: Microsoft has admitted that its Anniversary Update to Windows 10 has caused some systems to freeze up after i nstalling.In a blog post, the firm said that it had received a small number of reports from users over the issue. It said the problem was down to installing the update on a solid-state drive (SSD) when apps and data are stored on a separate drive. It added that the problem didn't happen when starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode.The company told users that installation of the Anniversary Update does include the ability to "go back" or return to the previous version of Windows within 10 days of the update.Microsoft said that users experiencing problems can either boot into the Recovery Console to go back to the previous build or use the Settings App from Safe Mode."We ask for your patience while we continue our investigation and please check back on this thread for an update," it said. More details can be found on the blog.12/08/2016: Microsoft has reinstated support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 on Intel's Skylake processors after a pushback from enterprise customers.Originally, the firm said it would only support downgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 8.1 until January 2023 and to Windows 7 until January 2020, but then changed its mind and shortened the timeframe to next year.But this has changed once again with Microsoft's director of Windows business planning, Shad Larsen saying the company had now backtracked on that idea following an outcry from its enterprise customers."At the same time we recognise that, in some instances, customers have a few systems that require longer deployment timeframes. We listened to this feedback and today are sharing an update to our 6th-gen Intel Core (Skylake) support policy," Larsen said in a blog post.The latest move means the original 2020 and 2023 dates have been reinstated. There is also an updated support policy for Microsoft customers.Larsen added that Intel's Kaby Lake and AMD's Bristol Ridge processors would only be supported on Windows 10. "All future silicon releases will require the latest release of Windows 10," he added.08/08/2016: The Windows 10 Anniversary Update (effectively a service pack update to the new OS) has caused considerable problems to some users, including locking up PCs.The issue surfaced after a thread on Reddit described how a user noticed that their PC froze after applying the upgrade. According to user SoloWingX, they had only just updated their system when things started to go wrong."After logging in everything works for like 20 secs. After that if I only mouse over the Start area, taskbar, the black part simply, it freezes and I get a message that Microsoft Windows is not responding," they said."After a couple of ninja startups and restarts, I disabled every third party program starting with windows. So it's not that. I am hopeless and can't afford to format this PC."Many other users also reported similar problems and have been unable to fix the issue. Suggestions for fixes from other users included using the Media Creation Tool to reinstall the OS, several programs, registry modifications, and changing the BIOS.The problem also doesn't appear to be tied to any particular hardware of configurations.A post on Microsoft's support site suggests that users run the System Maintenance Troubleshooter to fix the fault or start up in Safe Mode.05/08/2016: The Anniversary Update only landed this week, but Microsoft is already talking about the next major updates for the Windows 10 operating system. In a blog post detailing the enterprise features of the Anniversary Update, Microsoft revealed the roadmap for its  next major feature updates. The next feature updates won't come until next year, the company said. "Based on feedback from organisations moving to Windows 10, this will be our last feature update for 2016, with two additional feature updates expected in 2017," the company said in a blog post.Microsoft didn't reveal any details of what to expect in next years' updates, but it is believed to be the release codenamed "R edstone 2", after this week's Anniversary Update, which was originally dubbed "Redstone 1".Alongside the line about the update schedule, Microsoft also laid out details of versions of Windows 10 for education, Windows 10 Pro Education and Windows 10 Education. " These editions provide education-specific default settings for the evolving landscape in K-12 education IT environments."03/08/2016:Microsoft only released the Windows 10 Anniversary Update yesterday, but users are already complaining about bugs.  Reports have popped up about installation failures accompanied by indecipherable error messages. The cases do not appear to be widespread, but if you do see the same, affected users have said switching to the Media Creation Tool rather than Windows Update appears to fix the problem. Others have reported the Cortana app disappears after the upgrade, with no explanation. Microsoft has said it is working to fix the issue. And over on Reddit, some are reporting that after installing the update some apps - including Twitter, Netflix, and Reddit itself - crash and fail to restart with no error message.02/08/2016: Microsoft has released Windows 10 Anniversary Update today and plans to roll it out to users over the coming weeks.Introducing a series of new features and tweaking existing ones to make them more useable, the Anniversary Update arrives just four days after free upgrades to Windows 10 expired.More than 350 million devices now run Windows 10, following a controversial campaign in which Microsoft was accused of tricking users into upgrading, with notifications that scheduled in upgrades when users clicked to close them.Nevertheless, Redmond's tactics were effective – now the operating system has 20% market share, according to Net Applications, which recorded a flurry of upgrades before the free offer expired on 29 July.However, Microsoft has stated it will not hit its target of one billion devices running Windows 10 by mid-2018, mainly due to the fai lure of its smartphone strategy.But for those who have upgraded, the Anniversary Update will make a few strategic changes to their new OS.First of all, the Microsoft Edge browser won't drain your battery so much, and Redmond's voice assistant, Cortana, powers any and all searches performed on the operating system, giving it a much bigger role on your device than previously. Windows Ink lets you pick up a stylus (including third-party ones) to doodle and make notes on your device's display, while the update also bumps up Windows 10's security credentials, letting you use Windows Hello - Microsoft's biometric and facial recognition technology -  to log into websites and apps. To download Windows 10 Anniversary Update, download 'Media Creation Tools' from Microsoft, and once the tool is launched by double-clicking the MediaCreationTool.exe link, select the option that reads 'Upgrade This PC Now', click Next, and once the download completes, agree the terms by clicking Acce pt.29/07/2016: Microsoft's Windows 10 Anniversary Update, due for release on 2 August, will support third-party styluses using its new feature, Windows Ink, Microsoft has confirmed.Speaking to IT Pro, Microsoft's UK Windows marketing lead Rob Epstein said the new feature - which arrives as part of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update on 2 August - would not just be restricted to the Surface Pen, which comes bundled with Microsoft's premium Surface devices.Instead, the new features work with "other vendors who have got active pens," he said, including HP, Dell and Lenovo. "We're working closely with the OEMs, and we expect to see more pen-compatible devices out there.""There are a number of devices already in-market that will support the addition of pen, so it's feasible to add pen as an accessory later. We've defined a with Windows Ink a series of standards - the actual pen click [that opens OneNote] is just Bluetooth, but now built to a core part of the OS.""Hopefully, you'll see, by the end of this year, a number of different pens, and you can just walk into your favourite IT store and buy a pen that's going to work with your machine, knowing that as long as it's Windows Ink supported, they should be compatible."The new 'Ink Workspace' is based on extending Windows 10's handwriting functionality, and includes tools like virtual sticky notes, annotatable screenshots and sketchpads. Microsoft also provides a list within the Windows Store of Windows 10 apps that support Windows Ink features, and is expected that list to grow substantially as developers start working with the feature.21/07/2016: Microsoft has been ordered by French data protection authorities to cease its "excessive" collection of Windows 10 users' data and to stop monitoring their internet activity without consent.The country's National Data Protection Commission (CNIL) published a formal notice on its website outlining Windows 10's "many failures" of privacy and security, and giving the company three months to fix them. If it doesn't, the CNIL may appoint an internal investigator to issue sanctions against it."The purpose of the notice is not to prohibit any advertising on the company's services," the posting read, "but, rather, to enable users to make their choice freely, having been properly informed of their rights."Officials specifically highlighted "the seriousness of the breaches and the number of individuals concerned," with the CNIL noting that it affected more than 10 million Windows 10 users on French soil.Among the reported issues were concerns over the security of Windows 10's PIN login option. Users have unlimited attempts to enter a four-digit character, the notice pointed out, "which means that user data is not secure or confidential".It also cited a lack of user choice and consent regarding Microsoft's advertising practices. The advertising options which allow browsing to be monitored are active by default, and users are not informed about cookies or able to block them.Furthermore, the commission also discovered that Microsoft was still transferring French citizens' data outside the EU based on the now-invalid 'safe harbor agreement, which was struck down by the European Court of Justice in October 2015.The investigation was launched following reports of Microsoft's high levels of data collection, which came to light when Windows 10 was released. It was conducted jointly with other European data protection regulators, who are "continuing their investigations within their respective national procedures".20/07/2016: Almost 40 per cent of companies in EMEA are using Windows 10, with security a key factor in the decision to upgrade systems, Spiceworks has revealed.In fact, double the number of EMEA respondents cited security as a reason to make the move compared to those in the US. The overall number surveyed was 866 across the US and EMEA."We know security is often the most important IT initiative in organisations across EMEA so it� ��s not surprising to see that the enhanced security offered by Windows 10 is one of the biggest adoption drivers," said John Webb, general manager of EMEA at Spiceworks.Spiceworks said the majority of customers who have upgraded computers and other devices to Windows 10 are satisfied, although Windows 7 still holds the highest levels of satisfaction among the companies questioned.Those most likely to upgrade said they had at least 250 employees, demonstrating it's an attractive operating system for medium and large enterprises.This is probably driven by the number of companies taking advantage of Microsoft's free upgrade initiative (valid until 29 July), although it would seem smaller companies are happier to wait until the end of life for their devices before upgrading.Other reasons organisations haven't chosen to make the jump to Windows 10 include that it's incompatible with current systems and 38 per cent said they were unhappy about the lack of control ove r Windows updates or they were concerned with bugs in early releases."Despite the new features and functionality in Windows 10, some organisations are satisfied with their current operating system and may wait to upgrade until its end of life," Webb added.18/07/2016: Microsoft will not hit its goal of one billion Windows 10 downloads by July 2018, it has admitted one year after the operating system was released.While the OS now runs on 350 million devices, Microsoft has written off its goal with two years still to go because of its troubled smartphone strategy.A Microsoft spokesman said in a statement: "Windows 10 is off to the hottest start in history with over 350M monthly active devices, with record customer satisfaction and engagement."We're pleased with our progress to date, but due to the focusing of our phone hardware business, it will take longer than FY18 for us to reach our goal of 1 billion monthly active devices."Revenue for Microsoft's phone division fell 46 per cent year-on-year in the three months ending March, and its Windows Phone-running hardware sold just 2.3 million units, a 73 per cent drop.Instead, Redmond plans to focus on growing the number of devices running Windows 10 by focusing on enterprise contracts and making the well-received OS more useful to users. The spokesman said: "In the year ahead, we are excited about usage growth coming from commercial deployments and new devices – and increasing customer delight with Windows."15/07/2016: Microsoft will roll out its forthcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update in waves, starting from 2 August.Dona Sarkar, the new chief of the Windows Insider programme, told Windows Weekly (via Digital Trends) that Microsoft is looking into different ways of delivering updates.Currently, when fresh Windows 10 builds are dispatched to Windows Insiders, they request a full re-installation, but leave files and programs untouched."There are many ways to do it," said Sarker, respon ding to a question about releasing incremental Insider updates instead of full installs."So we're trying a lot of different things in-house to see what makes sense for PC versus phone, what makes sense for Fast Ring versus Slow Ring. In terms of what we were working on last week, it was a little bit of that, but also we don't ship a build unless we know we can upgrade from that build to the next build without any issues."From there, Sarker explained that Windows Anniversary Update will be handled in waves next month."It's going take some time," she said. "We'll start with PC and phone, and it's going to be a global rollout… it's going to take a little while to roll out to everybody. Xbox and HoloLens… those come at different times since the end device is just separate."14/07/2016: Windows 10 can save businesses $404 per user, according to an independent analysis of the benefits of deploying Microsoft's new operating systems.Analyst house Forrester drew up a scenario for a hypothetical business deploying the OS for 20,000 employees (based on four real firms it looked at that are doing so), calculating the costs and savings over a three-year period.Forrester assumed the hypothetical organisation was not spending money on licenses, because they would be covered under a volume licensing agreement, giving the business a spend of $4.3 million on deploying Windows 10.Over three years, Windows 10 would save the company $12.4 million, giving an overall saving of $8.1 million, according to the analyst house, a 188 per cent return on investment.Those savings were sourced in several ways, but mainly through improved end user productivity – saving between $982,800 and $3.12 million per year.Forrester said: "Employees, especially mobile workers, estimate they can take advantage of 25% of time previously unavailable for work, enabling them to get more done more quickly wherever they may be."Costs were evenly split between planning and imp lementation (up to $1,646,190 per year) and later rollouts (up to $1,507,013 per year), with a small amount spent on ongoing task management.You can read the full study here. 13/07/2016: Microsoft has announced pricing for a new tier of Windows 10 aimed at making the operating system more affordable for enterprise customers.Windows 10 Enterprise E3 with be priced at $7 (approximately £5.30) per seat, per month.The service is essentially the existing Windows 10 Enterprise, with its security and management capabilities, delivered through Microsoft's Cloud Service Provider (CSP) infrastructure."In most instances, organisations are moving quickly to Windows 10 due to the heightened security risks they face and the industry-leading security features in Windows 10 that can help protect them. Companies of all sizes face real security threats from sophisticated hackers and cyber-terrorists, costing an average of $12 million an incident," explained Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice preside nt of the Windows and devices group at Microsoft."CSP partners will be able to provide a subscription to Windows 10 Enterprise Edition as part of a managed service offering, which is ideal for businesses who do not have dedicated IT resources or limited IT staff, and want their licensing and IT needs managed by a trusted and experienced partner."Microsoft will also be offering an enhanced subscription to businesses via CSP, in the form of Windows 10 Enterprise E5. This service will supply more features, including Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection. Pricing for this tier has not yet been revealed, but it will be more costly than the E3 service.As well as offering Windows 10 to businesses in its new cloud packages, Microsoft will also be giving its partners the options to supply Surface devices to businesses. Registered Cloud Solution Providers, who are also Surface Authorized Distributors, can offer Surface devices through a managed service offering to resellers and customers. Microsoft said this will gives businesses access to the latest Surface devices to used alongside their current versions of Windows and Office.More on these announcements, which coincide with Microsoft's annual Worldwide Partner Conference, can be found here.12/07/2016: Microsoft's decision to end free Windows 10 upgrades on 29 July might boost falling sales of PCs, it is believed.The market has been in decline for years, though analyst house IDC spotted that sales in the second quarter of 2016 fell three per cent less than expected.Instead of dropping 7.4 per cent as predicted compared to the same period last year, PC unit sales declined just 4.5 per cent to 62.4 million units.The better-tha n-expected results might improve in the second half of 2016 thanks to Microsoft starting to charge £99 and £130 for Windows 10 upgrades from 29 July, too."The expiration of free Windows 10 upgrades may transition some users into buying new systems rather than updating older ones," IDC explained. "Commercial evaluations of Windows 10 remain healthy and a near-term driver that could also be contributing to the relative strength in U.S. shipments.However, that doesn't mean PCs will recover completely from the advent of smartphones and tablets eating into its market share.IDC's VP of worldwide PC trackers, Loren Loverde, said: "It's not dramatic growth, but it could push the market into positive territory slightly ahead of our forecast for 2018."07/07/2016: Microsoft is planning to strong-arm businesses into upgrading to Windows 10 Enterprise Edition, by gating off access to forthcoming client-side virtualization tools.The company announced earlier this week that users wi ll no longer have to separately download and deploy instances of Application Virtualisation (App-V) and User Environment Virtualisation (UE-V).Instead, they will be included with Windows 10 following the Anniversary Update, and will require no additional deployment or maintenance outside of the regular Windows update procedure.However, they will only be available in licensed Enterprise or Education Edition deployments. Anyone currently running a Windows 10 Professional deployment or earlier will need to upgrade."Direct upgrades to the Pro SKU will result in App-V and UE-V binaries to be removed during the OS migration process," the Tech Net blog post read.Comprising two of the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack's key components, App-V and UE-V are used respectively to stream applications to systems without requiring local installation, and to allow users to move between endpoints whilst retaining the same OS image and settings.The announcement comes just ahead of the 29 July cut-of f date for the free Windows 10 upgrade and the attendant nagging pop-ups.Microsoft will presumably want to get as many people upgraded as possible before this happens, and the upgrade becomes more difficult to sell.04/07/2016: People who have not yet upgraded to Windows 10 are now being greeted with a full-screen pop-up reminder in Microsoft's final push before the free update period comes to an end, the Telegraph reports.This is Microsoft's latest move to get people to install the new version of Windows on their PC, with many complaining that previous reminders are annoying, misleading or that Windows 10 is being installed automatically in some cases.It comes after Redmond promised to change the way it presents upgrade notifications, after listing it as a 'recommended' upgrade, something normally reserved for critical security updates, and scheduling in upgrade times for users who dismissed the notifications by clicking the 'x' in the right-hand corner.The free update period ends o n 29 July, and it seems that users still resisting the update will continue to see the full-screen message until the end of the month unless they select the "Do not notify me again" option in the bottom-left corner of the screen. 29/06/2016: With one month to go before the end of Windows 10 free upgrade, Microsoft has promised to change its upgrade notifications after many complaints that they are confusing.As Redmond tries to spur adoption of its new operating system, it recently changed how it presents the upgrade to users, calling it a 'Recommended Update', a status usually only given to important security updates.If people clicked on the 'x' in the right-hand corner, they would exit the notification, but the action would also schedule an update to Windows 10 for a later date.A travel agent whose computer slowed to a standstill when the update automatically downloaded onto her computer won against Microsoft in court, claiming she had lost business as a result of the upg rade, receiving a payment of $10,000.Now, Microsoft plans to offer people clearer upgrade notifications starting this week, according to its executive VP of Windows and Devices, Terry Myerson.In a statement published by ZDNet, he said: "The new experience has clearer options to upgrade now, choose a time, or decline the free offer. If the red-x is selected on this new dialog, it will dismiss the dialog box and we will notify the device again in a few days. "We continue to recommend all of our customers upgrade to Windows 10 before the free upgrade offer expires on July 29. Thousands of engineers have been working on making Windows 10 the most secure version of Windows, helping to protect people from viruses, phishing, identity theft and more. We'd like our customers to upgrade and improve their experience with Windows and Microsoft."28/06/2016: A travel agent has successfully sued Microsoft for $10,000 after an unauthorised Windows 10 update left her PC useless.Teri Goldstein fro m Sausalito, California, sued Microsoft saying she did not give the go-ahead for Microsoft to upgrade her computer, but it mysteriously appeared and made the machine slow to a crawl, while other days it did not work at all.Although the upgrade happened before Microsoft started using forceful tactics to try to encourage users to upgrade their computer, Goldstein insists she did not give permission."I had never heard of Windows 10," Goldstein said. "Nobody ever asked me if I wanted to update."After she started having problems with her computer's speed, she contacted Microsoft's support services, which also failed to rectify the issue.She then decided to pursue the company in court, claiming she lost business because her computer was inactive. She also insisted Microsoft bought her a new PC.However, Microsoft denied wrongdoing, although it decided not to appeal just in case it was told to pay even more than the agreed $10,000."We're continuing to listen to customer feedback a nd evolve the upgrade experience based on their feedback," Microsoft said in a statement.07/06/2016: Microsoft has defended its insistent Windows 10 upgrade tactics following renewed uproar and petitions condemning the company alleged "forced" automatic update.Microsoft had previously been accused of not giving users consent over whether to upgrade to Windows 10 in March when users took to Twitter and Reddit to complain about their system's allegedly automatically updating. Then users complained that Microsoft "hide" the decline option behind further information on their upgrade pop-up window.Last month, stories about further aggressive tactics surfaced. Users reported that they had the 'x' button to decline the update, only for the update to begin soon after. This apparent refusal to allow users of Windows 7 or 8.1 to decline the update has been described as "forceful" and "malicious".Microsoft has fought back against allegations about its Windows 10 upgrade approach.Microsoft said: "The Windows 10 upgrade is a choice – designed to help people take advantage of the most secure, and most productive Windows. People receive multiple notifications to accept the upgrade, and can reschedule or cancel the upgrade if they wish."Addressing the issue of the dud cancellation buttons, Microsoft also told ZDNet that that upgrade reminder only appears when a user has accepted the initial Windows 10 upgrade offer. Still, ways to step back from the upgrade track if a user changes their mind are still not straightforward.Disgruntled Windows users, displeased by Microsoft's approach to Windows 10, has started a petition for the company to be investigated on Change.org, which had gained 1,800 signatures at the time of publishing.Microsoft is due to release its Redstone update for Window 10 month, so it will be considering how best to continue its upgrade strategy in its bid to reach a 300 million install base for its latest OS.25/05/2016: Micros oft has performed a U-turn on its controversial Windows 10 upgrade notifications that were tricking people into downloading the operating system.The tech giant has now decided to change its policy following customer feedback, with one critic describing the ploy to garner more Windows 10 users as a "nasty trick".Redmond had revamped its Windows 10 upgrade notifications so that, when users clicked on the 'x' in the corner of the pop-up to dismiss it, it also sent a message to the company that the user had requested a software download, and would schedule one in.PC World called out Microsoft for employing the tactic, saying it was a cynical attempt to add to the 300 million devices now running Windows 10.A Microsoft spokesperson told the BBC: "We've added another notification that confirms the time of the scheduled upgrade and provides the customer [with] an additional opportunity for cancelling or rescheduling the upgrade. "If the customer wishes to continue with their upg rade at the designated time, they can click 'OK' or close the notifications with no further action needed."24/05/2016: Microsoft is tricking people into upgrading to Windows 10 with its pop-up notifications, it is claimed. For months, Redmond has been pushing users into downloading its new operating system via a barrage of notifications, which users could dismiss by clicking the 'x' in the corner of the box.It has seen success with this strategy, recently boasting that Windows 10 is running on 300 million devices.However, Microsoft now wants to employ dirtier tactics to increase its user base even further, according to PC World.When people click 'x' to dismiss the new Windows 10 upgrade notifications, it actually sends a message to Microsoft that they want to install the operating system – and the users are not even notified about it.12/05/2016: Microsoft is killing off Windows 10's ability to share Wi-Fi passwords.Its Anniversary Update will do away with Wi-Fi Sense this summer after Redmond pulled the feature from Insider previews, claiming not enough people use it.Gabe Aul, corporate VP of the engineering systems team at Microsoft, wrote in a blog post that it was a simple cost vs demand decision."We have removed the Wi-Fi Sense feature that allows you to share Wi-Fi networks with your contacts and to be automatically connected to networks shared by your contacts," he said. "The cost of updating the code to keep this feature working combined with low usage and low demand made this not worth further investment. Wi-Fi Sense, if enabled, will continue to get you connected to open Wi-Fi hotspots that it knows about through crowdsourcing."  29/04/2016: In a blog post, Microsoft has announced Cortana will no longer have to option to use Google Chrome and Google search engine capabilities to complete its tasks.The only search engine that will be used by Cortana will be Bing and the only browser that will be used is Edge, both of which are Microsoft products, which are integrated into Windows 10."Cortana was designed to work with Microsoft Edge and is powered by Bing," Microsoft's blog states.Microsoft has claimed that this change of policy is to improve the experience for its users. As other search engines and browsers are not optimised to use Cortana properly."This includes scenarios like searching 'get tickets to Rihanna show' in the Cortana box, where Microsoft Edge opens to Bing, and Cortana finds the best tickets for your preferences and offers to purchase them on your behalf."Although it is still possible to change the settings of the default search engine and browser on Windows 10, Microsoft claims this update will create a better overall experience for the user. "Our promise to you is that Windows 10 will provide you with great search results and a personalised, reliable search experience through Cortana and Microsoft Edge."14/04/2016: Microsoft has revealed a collection of new educationa l features coming to Windows 10 in its Anniversary Update at its annual Build conference.For IT administrators and teachers, these include faster and simpler set-up for Windows 10 Education, the ability to schedule updates for specific times when computers will not be in use, secure assessment tools and an "education ready" Windows Store.Students, on the other hand, will experience faster login times, a more tailored Cortana experience and Windows Ink, which allows students to draw on their devices or digital whiteboards, and create sticky notes.Explaining the integration of Ink, in particular, Microsoft said in a blog post: "Windows Ink enables students to ... merge their analog thoughts with their digital device.""Many studies indicate students learn better by writing - for example, diagramming before solving a science problem can lead to 36 per cent higher scores. With Windows Ink, students can do mathematical equations, compose music, and keep their notes organised - all in Wind ows," the company said.Additionally, the company will be launching an early access program for Minecraft: Education Edition in June. More information on the programme can be found here.14/04/2016: Microsoft has launched a virtual version of Windows to show off the operating system's features to users in an interactive environment.This virtual version of the OS, which Microsoft is calling a Windows 10 'emulator', exists as a new web portal containing information about its features, apps, and video presentations.There are 11 topics on the site, which include an introduction to Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana, how to personalise your Windows 10 desktop and how the new OS can help keep you organised.The site also offers details about the Windows 10 experience on tablets and mobiles.Microsoft is currently directing visitors to the demo via the main Windows homepage.12/04/16: Microsoft plans to add a whole bunch of new features to Windows 10 that will enhance its usability i n the workplace.Microsoft Passport - Will allow users to unlock their computers via Android phone, Windows Phone or Windows Band. This will be available to use in place of Windows Hello's facial and fingerprint scanning qualities.Continuum - Creates a feature that will give the Windows Phone the ability to act as a substitute computer. Keyboards, monitors, and projectors will be able to be used with the phone.Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection- Is an update that will be used as an upgrade to Microsoft's currently available security system.PC to PC casting - Which will create the ability to share from one Windows 10 device to another seamlessly, which is aimed at being used for meetings.Additionally a new website titled "Windows Roadmap" has been created by Microsoft to display beta versions of several of Microsoft's new Windows 10 features.In upcoming versions of Windows 10, such as the Anniversary edition which is to be released this summer, Windows Hello and Win dows Ink will be free features that will be packaged along with the operating system.Windows Hello - Will enable users to use facial recognition or fingerprint recognition as a replacement for passwords.Windows Ink - Will allow users to write notes on touch-screen devices with the use of a special electronic pen, Windows 10 will be able to recognize and react to certain elements of the writing.It is also rumored that Microsoft is adding more features to Cortana with the goal of making her more interactive.11/04/2016: Windows 9, Microsoft's operating system that never was, has cropped up in a recently published documentation.Microsoft has never explained why it chosen to skip from Windows 8.1 straight to Windows 10, but a new patent filing, first spotted by Twitter user @h0x0d, suggests a reason behind the move.Windows 9 – once known as 'Threshold', according to the filing – was originally set to be the version that launched last year, while this year's coming Redstone u pdate – due to be rolled out in July – was tipped to be Windows 10.An excerpt from the patent, mentioning Windows 9, reads: "Some discussion herein is derived from some Windows 9 'Threshold' documentation. Windows 9 is software implemented by Microsoft Corporation, and along 'Threshold' refers generally to marketing or other materials (from third parties as well as Microsoft) to a version of the Microsoft Windows software (marks of Microsoft Corporation)."There are still no clues to why Microsoft chose to drop its plans for Windows 9 – or, at the very least, marketing last year's version of Windows as such.21/03/2016: Many PCs running on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 have begun automatically upgrading to Windows 10 without the user's consent, according to reports from individual consumers and businesses alike.Many affected users have taken to Twitter or Reddit to voice their complaints, with one user (bnned) writing: "Yep, afk and saw this and saw this message box th at said something like 'Your update is ready! Restarting and installing in 13 minutes.' If I made myself a meal or watched tv, I would have had Windows 10."Oh, and the best part is how they hid the 'Decline' button in the more info button."After an initial notification some days in advance, users are given another alert 60 minutes before the scheduled upgrade time and, if they do not manually reschedule or cancel, the upgrade will begin. A company blog post published last year stated: "Customers continue to be fully in control of their devices, and can choose to not install the Windows 10 upgrade or remove the upgrade from Windows Update (WU) by changing the WU settings."Back in February, Microsoft decided to switch the Windows 10 update from optional to recommended for security reasons, after which users were informed that updates would be applied automatically. They were, however, also assured that they would be asked for permission.15/03/2016: Microsoft has been forced to deny that Windows 10 is installing on users' computers without permission.Users have taken to social media to complain that the OS upgrade has been forced on them. One Reddit thread has had over 3,000 comments about the update.In a statement, Microsoft said: "As we shared in late October on the Windows Blog, we are committed to making it easy for our Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers to upgrade to Windows 10. As stated in that post, we have updated the upgrade experience to make it easier for customers to schedule a time for their upgrade to take place."Customers continue to be fully in control of their devices, and can choose to not install the Windows 10 upgrade or remove the upgrade from Windows Update by changing the Windows Update settings."It added that reports that Windows 10 was being forced on users were "not accurate".

Windows 10 release date

Windows 10 started to roll out to consumers on 29 July 2015.The news of a July release came as little surprise to Microsoft watchers, as the company had stated the release would come in summer 2015, and AMD's CEO Lisa Su tipped the world off to a July launch thanks to a slip of the tongue during an earnings call in April that year.The RTM build was delivered to OEM partners to image new devices on 15 July, and another build is being delivered to retailers to upgrade unsold devices currently running Windows 8.1.The first end users to get the finished version of the product were the five million Windows 10 Insiders using the operating system in a preview. Following that, Redmond began offering the upgrade to Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 users.One year after the initial launch of Windows 10, Microsoft rolled out the Anniversary Update, which introduced useful tweaks but was a little light on new feautes. You can read our full review of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update here.Volume licensing customers are able to download Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education from the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).System requirements for Windows 10 can be found here.

Windows 10 different versions

As with its predecessors, Windows 10 is available in various different versions: Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 10 Education and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise.Windows 10 Home is the standard edition of Windows for consumer PCs, tablets and hybrids such as the Surface 3 and upcoming Surface Pro 4. This version of the OS features personal assistant Cortana, Edge browser, Continuum and Windows Hello facial recognition, as well as standard Universal Apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos and Maps.Windows 10 Mobile, which had until now been known as Window s 10 for Phones, "is designed to deliver the best user experience on ... smartphones and small tablets", according to Microsoft. It has many of the same features as Windows 10 Home, although Continuum is only be available on large mobile devices.Windows 10 Pro is aimed at small businesses and includes all the features of Windows 10 Home plus device and app management, data protection services, and support for remote and mobile working.

Windows 10 Enterprise

Microsoft is doing everything it can to ensure that Windows 10 retains its core market of enterprise users.One of the major shake-ups that Windows 10 has brought to the standard Windows formula is the system of regular, incremental updates, rather than large periodic overhauls (although there are occasionally larger feature updates, like Anniversary Update).However, a constant series of rolling upgrades can be a huge headache for IT departments. In order to combat this, Microsoft has introduced Update for Business, which allows IT managers to fine-tune which devices and systems in their company receive Windows updates at which time.The tool, which was announced at Microsoft's Ignite conference in early May, allows the specification of maintenance windows in business environments, which can be used to designate when and when not to apply updates. This ensures that systems will be available at critical times and that machines can be unobtrusively kept up to date.Microsoft has also a ddressed potential compatibility queries, stating that the new tools will fully integrate with existing management software like System Center and Enterprise Mobility Suite. Windows 10 is also being supported in the enterprise by third parties including VMWare, Dell, HP Inc and IBM.Project A2 (pronounced A-squared), a mobile-centric product that aims to speed up business adoption of Windows 10, has been developed by VMWare. The product deploys VMWare's application delivery software to aid IT departments in moving physical Windows applications into the cloud, and EMM software AirWatch to manage applications and devices.In early September 2015, Dell agreed to sell the Surface Pro range alongside its own tablet offerings, as Microsoft pushes the Windows 10-running device at the enterprise, while other agreements with Avanade, HP and Accenture under a Surface Enterprise Initiative will push more Windows 10 devices to business users.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update

Windows 10 Anniversary Update was released on 2 August 2016, just a few days after the operating system's first birthday. It features a number of tweaks and new features, such as Windows Ink and updates for Cortana and the Edge browser - you can read our full review here.The Anniversary Update was originally uncovered by Brad Sams of Neowin in April 2015, at which time it was going under the codename "Redstone", apparently in reference to the precious stone that features in Minecraft - the block-based game acquired by Microsoft in 2014.The August Anniversary Update was thought to be the first of two "Redstone" updates that would happen in 2016, with the second one arriving in October. However, rumour soon spread that the launch of the autumn 2016 update had been pushed back to spring 2017. This has seemingly been confirmed by Microsoft technology evangelist Nathan Mercer in a blog post, in which he promises two major feature updates next year, giving businesses time to adapt to th e new OS and the features released in August before additional changes are made.

Windows 10 features, specs and price

Jump to:

Windows 10 Start menu

Having caused a great deal of upset by ditching the iconic Start menu with Windows 8, Microsoft has apparently realised it is best not to mess with a classic and reinstated it for Windows 10.It is not an exact replica of the venerable Start menu that ran from Windows 95 to Windows 7, though. While the location of the button and search function both remain, Microsoft has also incorporated an element of the Windows 8 Start page into the new menu, bringing Live Tiles into the interface.The Live Tiles appear alongside the traditional menu when a user clicks on the Start button. They are set to feature Skype, Weat her, Mail and Store by default, but can be added to, swapped or even removed completely as desired.The background can also be customised, as can which system applications appear in the traditional section of the menu.For those who actually preferred the Windows 8 Start screen interface, that is also available to launch from the Start menu.

Windows 10 Cortana

Cortana is Microsoft's answer to Apple's virtual assistant, Siri. Named after the AI character from the flagship Halo franchise for Xbox, Cortana first appeared on Windows Phone 8.1. Now, with Windows 10, she has been incorporated into the desktop both as a search function within the OS and in the new browser.She can also be used to set reminders, alarms and open apps via voice command.Windows 10 comes with Cortana already installed and ready to go in the UK, China, USA, France, Italy, Germany and Spain. Native translation support for Cortana in Windows 10 is also available in the US and China.A full review of Cortana c an be found at our sister site, Alphr.

Windows 10 browser: Microsoft Edge

After 10 years as the default Windows browser, Internet Explorer has finally been retired, to be replaced by the new Microsoft Edge.During development and in some Technical Preview versions, Edge was known as Project Spartan. However, in the end, Microsoft said it had opted for a name starting with "E" because of user familiarity with the "e" icon from Internet Explorer, meaning they would know at a glance what the icon in the taskbar represented.That is pretty much where the similarities between Edge and Explorer end, though.In feel and design, Edge is much more similar to Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox than its predecessor. Indeed, it has a level of interoperability previously unseen in a Windows browser and can use Firefox and Chrome extensions natively, a feature that was introduced int eh 2016 Anniversary Update.Other additions include the ability to annotate web pages and consult Cortana, not just for search, but also richer features like restaurant reviews or maps to a venue. She is also able to customise the information she presents based on data gathered about the user's interests over time.Finally, there is the new tab layout, which will present suggested apps to download from the Windows Store, based on user interest and behaviour. It will offer varying degrees of detail ranging from plain icons through to headlines from media apps, and will also show news from regularly visited or subscribed sites, as well as a Bing search toolbar positioned at the very top..

Windows 10: Continuum and Multiple Desktops

Continuum is a new feature in Windows 10 designed to make the experience of using a hybrid device, such as the Dell XPS or Lenovo Yoga ranges, smoother.When docked or undocked from a keyboard, a pop-up will appear asking if the user wants to switch to or exit the full-screen "tablet mode".This, once again, seems to be a response to criticism arising from Windows 8, where users complained the interface seemed more optimised for touch and was difficult to navigate using a keyboard and mouse.The video below gives an idea of how it works. (Please note, the video has no sound).Another new feature with Windows 10 is multiple desktops. While Windows has supported virtual desktops for some time, it was not natively accessible to users, who had to turn to third-party software.Now, however, it is available as an inbuilt feature through the Task View interface, which lets users add, remove and move between virtual desktops.Users can also move apps between desktops although currently there is no drag and drop option. Instead, they have to right-click, select "move to" from the pop-up menu and then select the desktop they want the app to go to, or alternatively use the keyboard shortcuts listed in this blog post.

Windows 10 Store and Universal Apps

Microsoft has overhauled the Windows Store for Windows 10 to improve the experience for both customers and app developers alike by removing clutter and making it easier to search for and discover apps.An integral part of the Windows 10 Store is Universal Apps. As the name would suggest, these are apps that work on all devices from the smallest Windows 10 compatible phone to the gigantic Surface Hub.The idea of Universal Apps is to appeal to both developers and consumers. For developers, it provides a single platform on which to create their app once and deploy it across multiple platforms.From a user standpoint, it means a smoother experience across all devices and, as everything is managed in the cloud, the app will be up to date no matter which device it is being used on, Microsoft has claimed. Additionally, users only have to buy the app once for it to work on all devices, rather than one for the phone and one for the PC.Microsoft's ambitions for universal apps do not stop with Windows 10, though.At Mobile World Congress 2015, Stephen Elop, who was then executive VP of Microsoft's Devices and Services division, told delegates: "It is our hope that our cross-platform initiatives deliver not only across our platforms but those of others."Additionally, while not falling within the universal apps bracket, Microsoft announced developers will be able to port iOS and Android apps to Windows 10, not just emulate them.Microsoft has, however, reduced the number of devices any given app can be used on. Rather than the 81 installs allowed with Windows 8.1, Windows 10 users will only be able to install an app 10 times per Microsoft account.As pointed out by Neowin: "While 10 devices do seem like a lot, if you consider that phones and even your Xbox could be counted towards your usage, it does feel a lot more restricted than simply thinking you have 10 PCs in your home". It could also cause problems for users who upgrade or refresh their PCs over the course of the 10 y ears Windows 10 will be supported and possibly beyond.

Windows 10 hardware and compatibility

Microsoft has said that Windows 10 should be compatible with all devices currently running Windows 8.1, as well as a 34 smartphones, which are listed here. While those using computers that run Windows 7 should theoretically be able to upgrade straight to Windows 10, some older computers have struggled to run the new OS, with one such case even resulting in a courtroom battle in June 2016.Microsofts outline of compatibility specifications can be found here.

Windows 10 HoloLens and Holographic

During the Windows 10: The Next Chapter event in January 2015, Microsoft dropped not one but two major surprises in the shape of Windows Holographic and Microsoft HoloLens.Windows Holographic is a special variant of Windows 10 that allows any Windows universal app to run on a standalone augmented reality (AR) device in a context-aware way. This means it takes into account information coming from the AR unit's additional sensors, such as depth camera or gyroscope when rendering display information.So far, the only device making use of Windows Holographic is Microsoft HoloLens, the company's very own AR headset, although Alex Kipman, the brains behind Kinect, said at Build 2015: "HoloLens is the first ... holographic computer out there, but that doesn't mean that it will remain that [way] for a very long period of time. As a matter of fact, I hope that in the not-the-so-distant future there will be many such devices."This has not happened yet, but in the meantime it has been announc ed that Windows 10 will offer native support for two VR headsets - Oculus Rift from Facebook and Vive from Valve - as well as Valve's Steam VR libraries. Solid details on how this will work have been scant, and it is not quite Kipman's vision of dozens of holographic computers, but it does show there is interest in Windows 10's AR and VR capabilities from big-name third-party suppliers.While HoloLens itself has been pitched at least in part as an entertainment device, it also has practical business uses, particularly for those working in the fields of design, engineering and construction.Specialist software maker Autodesk is one of several companies that have already announced support for the technology, saying its Maya 3D animation and Fusion 360 3D CAD/CAM software suites will both support HoloLens out of the gate.Nadella has made it clear that enterprise applications like these are one of HoloLens' top priorities. As part of the device's "five-year journey", developers and commer cial partners will be among the first to receive HoloLens units, with consumer applications coming as the technology evolves.

Windows 10 security and privacy

Microsoft has doubled down on security in its latest OS, with features like Windows Hello, which relies on biometric scanning for authentication, and Microsoft passport.Windows HelloAt the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft promised "plenty of exciting new Windows 10 devices to choose from which will support Windows Hello", and devices already equipped with a fingerprint scanner will also work with the technology.This isn't just a consumer feature (or gimmick) either, as, according to Microsoft: "Windows Hello offers enterprise-grade security that will meet the requirements of organisations with some of the strictest requirements and regulations."It's a solution that government, defence, financial, healthcare and other related organisations will use to enhance their overall security, with a simple experience designed to delight."Windows 10 users without the devices featuring an IR camera can now use Windows Hello with Kinect v2, Neowin reports.Those with a Kinect v2 can set it up to log in to Windows 10 by simply downloading the preview version of the Kinect for Windows driver and changing a registry setting. Full instructions can be found on Channel 9.Other apps are also updating to include support for Windows Hello, with iHeartRadio finally releasing a Windows 10 Mobile version of its music app. For Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL users, support for Windows Hello authentification has also been added.Microsoft PassportMicrosoft Passport is to apps and online content what Windows Hello is to logging into a device.The system allows IT managers, software developers and website authors to provide what Microsoft claims is a "more secure way of letting [users] sign-in to ... sites or apps"."Instead of using a shared or shareable secret like a password, Windows 10 helps to securely authenticate to applications, websites and networks on your behalf," explained Belfiore."Windows 10 will ask you to verify that you have possession of your device before it authenticates o n your behalf, with a PIN or Windows Hello on devices with biometric sensors. Once authenticated with 'Passport', you will be able to instantly access a growing set of websites and services across a range of industries - favourite commerce sites, email and social networking services, financial institutions, business networks and more," he added.As with Windows Hello, Microsoft Passport is not just a consumer service and will support "thousands" of Active Directory services at launch, including Exchange Online, Salesforce, Citrix and Box.While Passport was a separate service at the launch of Windows 10, as of 2 August 2016, it is now simply part of Hello.Security and privacy controversiesIn early August 2015, Microsoft came under fire over privacy issues in the newly released OS. Reports claim some of the default settings are a tad intrusive  - some have claimed Microsoft is spying on users - as they pass information back to the tech giant or share sensitive data with other users. I n particular, users are unhappy about behavioural targeting in ads embedded in Windows 10.As with many settings likely to irk users, they can be turned off, but many felt that was not good enough and called on Microsoft to be more transparent about the implications of the default settings and, perhaps more importantly, how to disable them.Windows 10 users also faced security issues of a different nature as scam emails started to surface purporting to offer a free upgrade when, in fact, they contain ransomware. Said ransomware does what it says on the tin, locking all the machine's data and holding it hostage until payment is made for its release. Elsewhere, torrent trackers started banning Windows 10 from their communities in late August 2015 because of fears the OS will report people's illegal download histories to anti-piracy authorities.A clause in Microsoft's Service Agreement read that Windows 10 "may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorized hardware peripheral devices".But while this condition covers a multitude of Microsoft products, torrent hosts are not taking any chances, with reports of some banning the OS for fears it will share user data with authorities.One torrent tracker, iTS, announced its ban of Windows 10 on Reddit, claiming the OS sends users' local disk content to a server belonging to anti-piracy outfit MarkMonitor.Other trackers like BB and FSC may follow suit, according to Torrent Freak.

Windows 10 price

Windows 10 was available as a free upgrade for the first year after its launch, but now users must pay a licensing fee.Windows 10 Home, the entry level OS, costs £100, while Windows 10 Pro costs £190. Windows 10 Enterprise, including its E3 and E5 variants, Education and Mobile Enterprise are available through resellers and partners.

Windows 10 updates: Windows 10 is the last version of Windows

Windows 10 is, in the words of Microsoft, the last version of Windows. While this doesn't mean there will be no new Windows releases at all, the new strategy will see Microsoft drop the massive overhauls traditionally seen between releases. Instead, the company will move to a more Apple-style focus on incremental iterations of and improvements to the existing OS.Speaking at the company's inaugural Ignite conference in May 2015, Microsoft development executive Jerry Nixon gave the rather tortuous explanation that: "Right now we're releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we're all still working on Windows 10.""Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner," he added.

How to download and install Windows 10

If you want to get the new operating system as soon as possible, check out our sister site Expert Reviews and their guide on how to clean install Windows 10.Requirements: Users must have a Microsoft ID or Outlook email address. Microsoft claims the preview should work on any system that comfortably runs Windows 8.1, but warns users they may need to re-install or update some of their existing software after installing Windows 10.Windows 7 users should check the specifications of their machine against the published Windows 10 requirements before upgrading.This article was originally published on 19/09/14 and has been updated multiple times (most recently on 05/08/16)

Source: Windows 10 release date, features, devices and free upgrade: Windows 10 can now run on ARM CPUs