Windows 10 has arrived and has, at the time of writing, been downloaded around 14 million times. It’ a free update for Windows 7 and 8 users and has many new features as well as reviving some elements from the past.

Here’s a list of key features that will help you decide if you would like to upgrade your IT network:

• Universal – Microsoft’s aim is for Windows 10 to run an almost every device from smartphones to giant servers, PCs to tablets and even the Xbox games console.
• Start Menu – yes it’s back and it combines the list element of 7 with some of the tile features of 8.
• Cortana – familiar to those of you who use a Windows phone, the personal assistant is one of the new features.
• Action Center – replacing the Charms bar that split opinions massively in Windows 8.
• Groove – a new music app that allows you to access your Google Play and iTunes music.
• Task View – allows you to view all running programmes.
• Continuum – to switch between a desktop and tablet style layout.
• Edge – a new internet browser that is still a work in progress when compared to Firefox and Chrome.

This is just a quick overview but the general “buzz” has been positive for the new release with most reporting that Windows 10 works well and there have been very few backward compatibility issues with other Microsoft software.

In terms of upgrades, you will have no choice on these, Microsoft is not allowing you to switch them off unless you want to be classed as unsupported.

So should you take the plunge? Windows 8 users will find the upgrade easy, especially if they mainly use a tablet. If you are a windows 7 user then there will be a learning curve but not one that will be too demanding. You don’t even have to decide now as the free upgrade will be available for the rest of the year so you can always wait or do a staged roll out on a few machines first.

If you would like advice on upgrading your current network, please get in touch.