It is time to re-visit Windows 10 again. From my previous columns you will now know that Windows 10 is the last Microsoft operating system that will be released – from now on, we do not need to worry about Vista or Win8 or any other differently named versions. Windows 10 will be the base for the future – incorporating a system for all Windows user devices – from smartphones to desktops.
You will also know that the Windows 10 update has been offered free since July last year – but this free upgrade will expire on 29th July 2016. Be aware that this free upgrade will only apply to existing non pirated versions of Windows 7 or 8. So, if you haven’t upgraded now – I strongly recommend that you do so – especially with regard to Windows 8 – which has proved itself to be as attractive and user friendly as the old Windows Vista product.
Companies may well hold on to Windows 7 as their operating system of choice – this will depend on their enterprise policy and compatibility with existing third party applications – such as financials or payroll. However, these companies should already be in talks with their third party software supplier to ensure that they have upgraded their products to work with Windows 10.
This will avoid future headaches when purchasing new devices – all of these will come pre-loaded (if not already) with Windows 10. Purchasing upgrade versions of Windows 10 will vary from $100.00-$200.00 per user from August 2016.And, by the way, Microsoft have estimated that currently 350 million computer users now use Windows 10.
Users have thus far spent over 75 billion hours using Windows 10 – with the highest client satisfaction rate of any other version of a Windows operating system.The much publicised Windows 10 Anniversary update release should be with us in August 2016. This will upgrade existing Windows 10 installations with tweaks and functionality, some of it very exciting. Apart from improving stability and speeding up boot up times, one that I find particularly interesting is Windows Hello, which is a full biometric suite for computers and smartphones.
Very simply this allows users to log in to these devices using fingerprint swipes or face recognition. Finally, no need for passwords! Devices using this functionality will require a fingerprint recognition device and for face recognition, I believe there will be a need for an infra-red camera – which will be built into newer computers. This camera will allow accurate face recognition in low light conditions.Other areas of interest include enhancements to the existing Windows Defender anti-virus and security protection that comes with Windows 10 – security is beefed up to include enterprise security functionality.
Areas that may interest future users are the release of pen and light functionality (called Windows Ink), and increased user friendly functionality via Edge (Microsoft replacement of Internet Explorer) and Cortana – which is Microsoft’s offering for an intelligent, voice activated assistant. For example – if your machine is on but not logged in – you can still ask Cortana questions and he/she will answer you. For me – the cherry on the cake will be Windows 10 with Microsoft HoloLens – which is actually being released today. What is it? Very simply it looks like a pair of spectacles.
What it does is it mixes holograms into our world, enabling all new ways for us to communicate, create, work and play. It’s the only device that enables holographic computing natively with no markers, no external cameras, no wires, no phone required, and no connection to a PC needed. On an unrelated note for you Android phone users – security researchers have recently issued warning against a family of Trojans known as Hummer – which has thus far affected more than one million android phones to date.
This Trojan roots the phone and also accesses the internet via the network and downloads large amounts of data. It produces unwanted pop up and background install unwanted programs and games including pornography. It cannot be removed by reverting back to factory default. Get advice from your android phone supplier on how to resolve this issue
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