Microsoft CEO launches Windows 10 in Kenya
Microsoft Corporation has launched the latest operating system Windows 10. The giant corporation’s CEO Satya Nadella presided over the launch of the new product on Wednesday in Nairobi.
Microsoft, the world’s largest software vendor, launched its much-hyped new operating system (OS) Windows 10 globally.
The company said the free online upgrade is available in more than 190 countries for those who use Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1.
With the new system, designed to connect diverse devices from personal computers and mobile devices to video game consoles, the company said it wants to become the operator of the world’s largest platform service.
“Our vision is to make Windows 10 the biggest cloud-source platform in the world and we aim to distribute the new OS to 1 billion devices worldwide,” said a spokeperson for Microsoft.
The biggest change in the new Windows, compared with Windows 8 and 8.1, is the revival of “Start Menu.” Users were critical of Windows 8 and 8.1 because the Start Menu, considered a core interface to access functions and applications, was removed.
Microsoft has integrated the Live Tiles used in the Metro user interface (UI) of Windows 8 and 8.1 into Start Menu. Users quickly can access their favorite applications without unfolding lengthy menu trees.
Windows 10 has adopted functions and applications that can enhance usability.
NEW WEB BROWSER
Microsoft Edge is the new web browser, developed to replace Internet Explorer. Designed to better support mobile devices and the new Internet standard Hyper Text Markup Language 5 (HTML5), the browser is lighter and easier to use.
To improve compatibility with devices with different settings, the new Windows supports a function called “Continuum.”
It automatically optimizes application settings and display modes for users with multiple devices such as desktop computers, laptops, tablet computers and smartphones.
Cortana, Microsoft’s voice-recognizing digital secretary function, also is included in Windows 10.
Adding to Windows Defender and SmartScreen functions, the new Windows supports a security application called “Windows Hello,” which recognizes registered users’ fingerprints and faces using Intel’s RealSense camera technology to unlock the system.
Microsoft has provided an automatic Windows 10 upgrade service for those who use Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1.
The free upgrade will be available for a year from Wednesday. It will come with a charge after that, the company said.