Microsoft Windows
IN PHOTO: Microsoft Corp's Ashley Frank talks about Windows 10 at the annual shareholders' meeting in Bellevue, Washington December 3, 2014. Reuters/Jason Redmond

Now on Build 10061, more signs indicate that Microsoft’s Windows 10 release date plans will likely become real on end of July 2015. Reports are widespread that the changes from Windows 8.1 are compelling enough for millions of users to immediately make the jump.

To be sure, the reasons out there are unlimited for users planning to upgrade as soon as Windows 10 becomes available but there are 10 solid ways that Microsoft will try to speed up the migration. The snapshots are provided below:

The Start menu is back and it can be customised

Millions of Windows fans opted out of Windows 8 and 8.1 mainly because Microsoft killed the Start menu when the operating systems or OS were introduced. The same number will likely give the refreshed OS a new try because the beloved and very useful Windows tool is back with vengeance.

In returning the Start menu, Microsoft engineers thought it wise to fuse the old and new – at least the perceived good elements of the past and the future. In Windows 10, the Start menu rests at left corner and pulls up into screen a mix of the traditional program icons and the Live Tiles that the software giant had introduced with Windows 8.

Users not wanting the Live Tiles can turn off the feature and the Start menu will simple return to its old self. Or the same menu can be toggled to run in full screen that essentially brings back a more bearable form of Windows 8 on Windows 10.

Desktop-tuned Metro apps

Metro apps were not sent into retirement for Windows 10. Instead, the feature was subjected to revisions and the result – Metro apps that are equally optimised for desktop functions. Metro apps are now rendered as desktop windows and users can easily navigate through and work on them with the aid of mouse-friendly toolbars.

Spartan browser

With the planned Windows 10 rollout, Microsoft is essentially acknowledging that the Internet Explorer overhaul is long-overdue. Enter Project Spartan browser that company said is all about sophisticated Web surfing with smooth and speed as the emphasised functions.

Helping Spartan to give Google Chrome a good fight is the integration of Cortana with the system. Cortana, of course, is the famed Microsoft digital assistant that has been getting heaps of praises for delivering quick and accurate results to search and other form of inquiries. As it appears, Cortana will be the backbone of Microsoft’s web browsing search services.

By the way, IE will not actually die. It will just into the background and is ready for use on numerous legacy purposes, Microsoft said.

Cortana and Notification Centre

With Cortana deeply hardwired with the Windows 10 Notification Centre, this part of the OS is no doubt gaining huge specks of excitement. Alert and information feeds on the Windows platform, whether in desktop or mobile devices, will never be the same with OS notification tool fired up by the super-charged Cortana virtual assistant.

Unified settings

Configuring and reconfiguring Windows 10 is easy while doing the same in Windows 8/8.1 is rather confusing. Largely to blame is the Charms menu that Microsoft killed in the upcoming OS to make the setting tasks more straightforward.

Maximum productivity

Fun part on Windows 10 also includes better productivity and one way Microsoft had achieved this by rewriting the Mail and Calendar apps. In the new OS, the applications are given the interface and functions that fit both the desktop and mobile device renderings. The productivity apps are also optimised for cross-platform functionalities such as Google Calendar entries are readily supported on the Calendar.

New multitasking flavour

Higher level of multitasking is normally achieved by adding PC monitors. But those on a budget can enjoy the benefits of multitasking without buying extra monitors thanks Virtual Desktops. The feature permits a panoramic view of active windows or applications and easy access to them. Organising these ‘desktops’ is also easy with the recent addition of drag and drop function.

The Continuum option

The Windows is a unified platform that the experience is virtually the same whether users are on a mobile device or on traditional computing gadget. But for the hybrid device, the switch is made easier by Continuum, which easily transforms a gadget into touch-centric functions when warranted then back into desktop-oriented capabilities when needed.

The gaming factor

Gamers are high on consideration when designing Windows 10. In this line, one default package with the OS is the Xbox app. Among its numerous functions is the streaming of Xbox games to tablets and computer machines running on Windows 10.

Free upgrade

The best part about the whole Windows 10 package is it will roll out for free, which is especially true for millions of Windows users across the globe. But this offer is not for first time buyers of the operating system. Users with machines or devices running on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 (and their mobile counterparts) are the ones entitled to the free upgrade.

According to Microsoft, the offer is automatically activated following the Windows 10 release date in late July 2015 and is valid within the one-year period. The company has yet to confirm but it is alleged that subscription fees will be charged moving forward.

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