I have used third-party tools with Windows in the past and I always use it on my graphical Linux machines. Virtual desktops are finally native to Windows. Edge is designed to be more of a lightweight, limited-clutter browser to take on the competition. It is just not what Microsoft is pushing these days. Edge may eventually spell the end of Internet Explorer (IE), but the IE we have always used is still there. Two new major apps include Cortana, Microsoft’s digital assistant application that started on Windows Phone 8.1, and the Edge Browser. Continuum lets users switch between desktop and touch presentation modes, although dynamically switching will likely be something users of two-in-one devices do, especially when physically switching between modes. The technology even has a name, Continuum. The more unified approach is greatly appreciated. Windows 8 always had a desktop mode, but there was a dichotomy between the two. Many of the new features in Windows 10 are visible to the user and address issues that arose with Windows 8.Īll applications are now windowed versus the full screen for Windows 8 and Metro apps. Overall, Windows 10 is what Windows 8 should have been.Ģ. They do scroll vertically instead of horizontally, but overall the touch interface has not fallen to the wayside with the desktop focus for desktops. Tablet operation has changed, but the large Live Tiles that are easy to use on touchscreens remain. The Live Tile functionality is now in the start menu. Windows 10 desktop and start menu are what users will see when they first log in ( Fig. Many of the new features in Windows 10 are visible to the user and address issues that arose with Windows 8.

It supports a wide range of target environments from embedded devices to enterprise services. Visual Studio 2015 runs on Windows 10 as well as earlier versions of Windows. Windows Server 2012 is the current platform, but Windows Server 2016 is in the wings.ġ. Windows Server is a different animal, but compatible with Windows 10.

Windows 10 targets a range of platforms from smartphones to workstations, as well as embedded devices. Microsoft’s latest releases are Windows 10 and Visual Studio 2015 (Fig.

Visual studio download 2015