Technology

Windows 10: Better, stronger, faster?

Microsoft made a big splash with the release of Windows 10 on July 29, 2015. For many PC users, switching to the new operating system is a no-brainer, while for others, it’s a difficult decision. If you haven’t decided yet if your business is ready to make the switch, here’s a closer look at Windows 10 to help you determine if the new OS really is better, stronger, and faster.

COST

Upgrade to Windows 10 for free! Users with Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 can receive the new operating system free of charge until July 29, 2016. Windows 10 is free for the life of the device, which means free support and updates as long as Microsoft support operating system.

Windows Vista, XP, 7 Enterprise, 8/8.1 Enterprise and RT/RT 8.1 are excluded from this free offer. These operating systems require a payment of $119 for Home license or $199 for Pro license to upgrade to Windows 10. However, if you have Software Assurance with one of these operating systems, your upgrade is free.

SUPPORT

Windows 7 and Windows 8 are approaching end of support faster than we’d like to think. When you upgrade to Windows 10, you get additional years of mainstream and extended support. Here is a comparison of operating system support life cycles for Windows 10 vs. Windows 8 vs. Windows 7:

Operating system End of mainstream support End of extended support

Windows 7 January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020
Windows 8 January 9, 2018 January 10, 2023
Windows 10 October 13, 2020 October 14, 2025

Windows 10 brings additional years of general and extended support. The end of general support means that Microsoft will no longer improve the product, but support for security and reliability issues will continue. End of Extended Support still provides security and reliability support; however, this marks the end of support for non-security hotfixes, requests for new features and designs, and warranty claims.

The question is what will you do when support for your operating system ends in the next few years? If you’re an eligible candidate for a free upgrade to Windows 10, it may be worth upgrading before the offer expires.

VELOCITY

Is Windows 10 faster? TechSpot tested Windows 10 against Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 for performance speed. The new operating system ranked just seconds behind Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 for speed in all areas of performance. Here’s a quick look at the difference you can feel on a daily basis with wake up and boot times:

Operating System Hibernation Wake Hybrid Sleep Wake Boot Time

Windows 7 27 seconds 17 seconds 5 seconds
Windows 8.1 23 seconds 12 seconds 4 seconds
Windows 10 21 seconds 10 seconds 6 seconds

Similar to wakeup and boot speed, Windows 10 is very close to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 in app, storage, and gaming performance. Windows 10 doesn’t have a clear win over previous operating systems in terms of speed in any particular category.

FEATURES

Windows 10 brings futuristic features to computing. With this new operating system, users can expect better collaboration, mobility, and ease of use with a new look and feel. Here is an overview of some of the most recent improvements:

MOBILITY. THE NEW OS WORKS ON ALL MICROSOFT DEVICES, FROM DESKTOPS TO LAPTOPS, HYBRIDS, TABLETS AND SMARTPHONES. IT IS A SINGLE PLATFORM FOR ALL YOUR ENDPOINTS.
CORTANA. THE MICROSOFT WINDOWS PHONE VOICE ASSISTANT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS IN SECONDS. CORTANA ALSO HANDLES BASIC COMMANDS LIKE OPEN A BROWSER, CREATE A NEW EMAIL, SET CALENDAR REMINDERS OR APPOINTMENTS, AND MORE.
HELLO WINDOWS. SHOW YOUR FACE OR TOUCH YOUR FINGER ON BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION DEVICES. HELLO ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR PASSWORDS AND MAKES AUTHENTICATION MORE SECURE.
EDGE. SEARCH FASTER WITH THE NEW MICROSOFT EDGE WEB BROWSER. DRAW, WRITE AND WRITE NOTES DIRECTLY ON WEB PAGES AND SHARE THEM WITH OTHERS.
BATTERY SAVING. THIS FEATURE CONSERVES BATTERY BY LIMITING BACKGROUND ACTIVITY AND ADJUSTING HARDWARE SETTINGS WHEN ENABLED.
UPDATES. WINDOWS 10 NOW OFFERS SECURITY PATCHES OUTSIDE OF WINDOWS UPDATE SO THEY GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR COMPUTER THE TIME THEY ARE AVAILABLE.
BETTER, STRONGER, FASTER?

Is Windows 10 better, stronger and faster? Switching to Windows 10 brings extended support, futuristic features, performance improvements, and no cost (for some). While its speed may not be a deciding factor, weighing the benefits of new features and additional compatibility with your current operating system might tip the scales. Microsoft has made the decision even more compelling for those with Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1 with a one-year free upgrade offer.

If you’ve determined that Windows 10 is right for your business, testing OS compatibility is a must. Testing apps, hardware, drivers, printers, and more is necessary to determine their suitability with Windows 10 for a smooth transition. Since the operating system was released on July 29, 2015, numerous patches and updates have already been released to improve compatibility and stability. There will no doubt be more updates and patches to come as users test the operating system. The key question in determining when your business will make the switch is how much testing is required to ensure a smooth transition.

If you haven’t decided on Windows 10 yet, try the new operating system in action on the Microsoft website or contact us to explore which OS option is right for your organization. If you’ve determined that Windows 10 is right for your business, contact our team to ensure a smooth transition to the new operating system.

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