If you have a Windows computer, you’ve probably heard the news by now. Microsoft is releasing Windows 10 on July 29^th. As a business owner, what should you do? What will this upgrade include? Is it easy to download? Will it be safe for you to download? We answer all of these questions and more below. So don’t stress. Just read on.

Features and Functionality

Navigation

Windows 10 combines navigation features from Windows 7 and Windows 8 in an attempt to fix the shortcomings of each operating system. This is Microsoft’s response to user complaints that the lack of a traditional start menu in Windows 8 made navigation difficult, and that Microsoft did not design Windows 8 with non-touchscreen devices in mind. For Windows 10, Microsoft created a start menu that combines Windows 7 and 8. This start menu is designed to make navigation simpler for users, whether they have a touchscreen or not.

Cortana

Cortana is like the iPhone’s Siri. She is a personal digital assistant that provides reminders and answers questions, among other things. Microsoft designed Cortana to learn from the end user and adapt to better assist them.

Task View and Multiple Desktops

For increased organization and usability, Windows 10 provides a task view as well as the capacity to create multiple desktops. Task view displays all open applications, while the multiple desktop feature offers users the capability to create virtual desktops within Windows 10. Both of these features should enhance overall performance by allowing users to see all of their applications and create separation between applications by opening them on different virtual desktops.

Microsoft Edge

If you’ve had a hate-hate relationship with Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge just might make your life a little less frustrating. It’s Microsoft’s new search engine, and they are promising great things.

Besides allowing Cortana to display search engine results and perform similar tasks (all while you do your own thing), Microsoft Edge will also provide greater browser functionality and customization – like letting you write notes on a webpage and send them to a friend. We’re crossing our fingers and hoping that Microsoft Edge will be everything that Microsoft promises.

While this is not a comprehensive list of all Windows 10’s new features, in our geeked-out opinions, these are the exciting ones. For more details, you can go to the Microsoft website.

Versions

Windows 10 Home – Created for consumers, Windows 10 Home offers a familiar experience with improved usability.

Windows 10 Pro – Created for small businesses, Windows 10 Pro has features that will provide business-grade security, device and app management, and remote and mobile productivity.

Windows 10 Mobile – For smartphones and devices with smaller screens, Wiindows 10 Mobile functions in the same way as its desktop equivalent.

Windows 10 Enterprise – For medium to large companies, Windows 10 Enterprise enhances Windows 10 Pro to provide features for larger companies.

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise – To make mobile devices safe for business use, Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise provides increased security and device management features.

Windows 10 Education – Designed for schools, Windows 10 Education has features beneficial to the education industry.

How Much Does It Cost

As stated on the Microsoft website, the Windows 10 upgrade is free for computers with Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 during the first year of its release. After the first year, you will have to pay for the upgrade.

Should You Download Windows 10 on Work Computers

No. Not right away. Downloading Windows 10 immediately is like firing a reliable employee and hiring a frat boy who went to more parties than classes to take their place.

Now don’t get us wrong. We love all things Microsoft and Windows. We just love them better after consumers have extensively tested them and Microsoft has fixed the bugs. Operating system glitches take time to resolve, and despite the testing of Windows Insiders, flaws will still litter the Windows 10 operating system for the next few months.

Beyond the bugs, there’s a good chance that some software, printers, scanners, and other hardware will no longer work after the upgrade. How can we predict this? Because it’s happened before – to us and our clients.

How long should you wait? There’s no black and white answer, but here at Design Manager, we recommend waiting six months. We will probably download Windows 10 on our computers sometime in January or February, after the holiday rush.

How to Download

Windows 10 has not been released yet, but you can reserve it from the Microsoft website. However, like we mentioned, we don’t recommend upgrading immediately. When you do decide to upgrade to Windows 10, you should verify that all of your devices fulfill the system requirements before proceeding.