To all office workers, home users and students that are familiar with the universal standard operating system that is Windows, here’s hoping you have now recovered from the shock that Microsoft’s latest iteration due on July 29 will be the ‘Final’ Windows!

With no further delay here are the basic pros and cons followed by all considerations as to why we may look forward or look away when it comes to Windows 10.

PROS

–        The start menu is back!

–        Integrated use from Tablet to PC

–        Integration of APPS

–        Visual Studio 2015 provides Objective C Support (used for IOS apps)

–        VIRTUAL DESKTOPS (multiple desktops?)

CONS

–        Redesigned again

–        Forced updates?

–        Expensive without upgrade

–        Last ever windows?!

Start menu

First it must be stated that it is only possible to cover so much with the system not currently available for the public for commercial purposes and is only being judged on the current builds/developer releases.

This being said, let’s most importantly address that it is both a step forward and backward that Windows 10 re-introduces the start menu.

Logical

Rather than consuming the entire screen as the previous OS, Windows seems far more clean-cut and logical now. This has also provided a lot more functionality for the Apps on a whole as just how there is now a start menu, APPS do not require to be a screen hog and take over the whole desktop (a problem Windows 8 couldn’t ever truly fix).

Another notable change is the overall (well somewhat overall) replacement to control panel. It is still there, but now considered for only the “advanced” users where as the regular joe should consider using “settings”.

It is far more logical now, and as such will probably make the overall move from using this on your Phone and then a PC far more easily to comprehend though a step in the direction of simplicity may very well be a step into the unknown for the seasoned Windows user.

This being said, this does put the settings app equivalent in Windows 8 to shame by integrating common sense, sub menus and not an over saturation of information.

Cortana

Alongside the fancy integration of the new web browser “EDGE” there is also the search assistant Cortana. I won’t be outlining all it’s snazzy features and why I believe it could improve your efficient working because there is little evidence to claim so. It is hard to picture an entire office where each worker at a PC sits with a mic or headset asking Cortana to google what they are looking for. The thing is though; Windows 10 is new with modern technology advancing in such a way that it would seem plausible to argue it’s use, it is simply not an artificial intelligence.

When you have a search assistant with no foresight or intelligence no matter how much it is developed it will rarely if at best ever return the exact results an individual may look for. Cortana doesn’t have the same motive as you or know what is/isn’t useless information so just like any tool it’s only usefulness is seized in how it is used though I can easily picture for the common user, it is more of a gimmick then a time saver.

Back to the positive however, this is an OS (operating system) for all things! Your phone, PC and even Fridge should run Windows 10 one day so like it at first or not, unless Microsoft back peddles it’s claims we are surely going to be getting used to it.

So whats so bad about it? (other than what may seem obvious by now)

Updates! The entire platform of updates, how they are provided and the policies surrounding them have changed and in many ways for the worse. For anyone security updates that are forced seem like a real positive push, it means you get antiviral protection and the most up to date security against new threats and new ways for snoops to get your details.

For the common worker (like you and I) this means we get no choice in updates and what it may impact. This can very easily include any in-house built application, legacy solution or any program not made to run on Windows 10 all of which is done by Microsoft’s convenience with swift prompts to save & shutdown.

Sickly

Lack of customisation is another concern. Though the look feel and aesthetic to the new OS is pleasing and a fancy remodel of Windows 8 / 8.1 there is a specific sickly taste left by the utter LACK of what can be done. There are icons such as the search bar (directly tied into bing) which are irremovable from the taskbar which some may take as a thwarted tempt to get you to USE bing (but its not google) but also the virtual desktop environment only allows for different apps to be on each desktop (different shortcut arrangements but no change in wallpaper).

The previously listed feature of settings is also a troublesome issue, though it does make the overall use of the system easier for mobile users or those that aren’t tech-savvy or in the nature of googling every technical term, it does appear there isn’t a full migration away from Control Panel meaning there will be still scenarios where settings simply won’t cut it.

Overall it is still far too early to outline its benefits and disadvantages whether you are a business a home user or anyone else though it seems so far each thing Microsoft argues is a great advantage, appears to already have backlash. Either way as they plan to keep and stick out with this OS to be the final Windows there is the hope that more development will occur from customer feedback and hopefully a steady improvement of the Windows App store may make this OS far more appealing.