We heard it first at the Microsoft’s BUILD conference in April 2014. The new version of Windows is the seventeenth version of Microsoft’s desktop operating system, and the ninth version of the business-focused NT kernel. And, it is not named Windows 9. Instead, they choose an even number to surprise and stir the interest of a questioning clientele.
Windows 8 and even Windows 8.1 were not the best favorites of consumers who loved Windows XP and Windows 7 because of its focus on touch-friendly user interface. Some desktop users need to have some getting used to moments before they could full enjoy the system, especially those who are used to the friendly START button of the previous releases.
Windows XP plus Windows 7 = Windows 10?
Windows Vista and Windows 8 are both major updates to the Microsoft OS but they share the same problem, it is not just appealing to users who are loyal fans of the speed, usability, and reliability of their previous versions.
Vista was perceived be slow and resource-hungry compared to Windows XP, and Windows 8 was seen to be a struggle for those who are used to the desktop environment.
With Windows 10, it is not just the problem of Windows 8 but trying to improve Windows in general, looking at the way people love it in XP and 7. Microsoft looked closely in detail at what people liked most about Windows XP and Windows 7 and will use that to bring back or preserve the experience they have been enjoying with Windows. With any company who made a great success on their products, retaining the sellable stuff will always be a good path to take.
Why Windows 10 not 9?
Why not Windows 9? People are intrigued with the jump from 8.1 to 10. This new operating system is a major update and is anticipated to the last major version of the Windows OS. This doesn’t mean it will only stay for quite some time, but rather, like Apple did with their OS X desktop operating system, there will be no major updates after this.
For such a major release, and for the final major release of Windows, the number 9 just didn’t sound major enough, and, frankly, it would have been an odd number to finish on.
Glimpse on its Specification
Minimum hardware specification is the first thing people will look on to judge the usability and efficiency of an OS. It simply means when an OS could run with low system requirements, it is efficient enough. The usual 1GHz, 1GB RAM for 32-bit and 2GB RAM for 64-bit versions, 16GB free storage space, and graphics that supports DirectX 9 is the least hardware you can run Windows 10 with. However, you need to keep an eye on your processor. It should support PAE, NX, and SSE2 standards. This means you need a slightly modern one.
Cross-Platform
While Windows 8 is best for tablets and phones with touch-screen technology, Windows 10 is friendly with all platforms. It could run on desktops, laptops, and tablets down to phones, the Xbox One, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and upwards to their new Surface Hub and Holographic headset, HoloLens. We also heard that it could run on a Raspberry Pi.
How to Test it?
Consumer version will be out on July 2015 but for now you can have the Technical Preview release.
