Windows 10: the review

It’s loaded with changes, many improvements, but still the odd feature that makes us wince... plus some important unanswered questions. Darren Yates reviews Windows 10

As we’ve noted elsewhere, Windows 10 has a lot to try and live up to, from Microsoft’s ‘Windows Everywhere’ strategy to giving Windows 7 users reasons to come back after Windows 8. It has to appeal to consumers and business alike, which effectively means innovation and predictability in almost equal measure. It’s a tall order — so how well has Microsoft done?

Windows 10: tweaks & secrets

Get ahead of the pack with these mods and tricks for Microsoft’s new OS. Darren Yates reveals the top tips from build 10158

CHANGE THE COMMAND PROMPT OPACITY

Windows 10’s command prompt has a new trick — adjustable window opacity. Right-click on the command prompt header, select Properties, choose the Colours tab and at the bottom, drag the Opacity slider left to make the command prompt window progressively more see-through. Very handy if you still need to see what’s behind the prompt.

Windows 10: under the bonnet

What are the big-but-invisible changes in Windows 10? Darren Yates dives under the bonnet to find out what Microsoft has tinkered with

While Windows 10 comes with obvious changes like the new web browser and Start menu (more on these elsewhere), what other technical changes are there inside the OS that may affect you? Not surprisingly, Windows 10 has plenty of new tech, none more critical than the one you’ve probably heard least about — a new shared-component platform called Windows Core (tinyurl.com/q7vdbcq).

Windows 10’s new lighter, faster browser

It wouldn’t be a new Windows OS without a new browser. Darren Yates explores the new internet explorer-replacement called Edge

Internet Explorer has long been an object of derision amongst PC users over the years, whether it’s the security holes, the variable performance or its wobbly adherence to web standards. But incredibly, as of May this year, it still maintained more than 55% desktop market share, according to the latest available data from NetMarketShare (tinyurl.com/6umm2xe).

Windows 10’s new old Start menu

Microsoft has heard the roar of disapproval and the start menu has returned. So how does it work? Darren Yates looks at the changes

We reckon there’ll come a day when Microsoft looks back on Windows 8 and admits the decision to remove the traditional Start menu was far from one of its best. Sure, plenty of geeks were happy to use Modern UI, some even preferred it, but I’ve seen nothing in 20 years galvanise Windows users quite like losing that little Start icon.

How to get the free upgrade

Confused about how the free Windows upgrade will work? You’re not alone. Darren Yates explains what’s involved

Unfortunately, Microsoft hasn’t made a great fist of explaining how the free Windows 10 upgrade will work and given the emails we’ve received from readers, it seems there are still more questions than answers. So, here’s what we know so far:

Microsoft launches Windows 10

Almost 20 years after Windows 95 changed the world, Microsoft is back with Windows 10 — but has the world changed too much? Darren Yates digs into the latest release of this iconic OS

It’s hard to believe but come this August, it’ll be 20 years since the release of Microsoft’s game-changing Windows 95 OS. And a game-changer it was, turning the PC from a business and enthusiasts’ box of tricks into the device all of a sudden everyone had to have. In that first year, Microsoft sold 40million copies of Windows 95 and the consumer PC market took off.