Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appears to have extended an olive branch to Windows users after several months of backlash over the direction of the operating system.

During the company’s Q3 earnings call, Nadella highlighted ongoing efforts to improve experiences for Windows, Xbox, Bing, and Edge users.

“When it comes to our consumer business, we are doing the foundational work required to win back fans and strengthen engagement across Windows, Xbox, Bing, and Edge,” he told listeners.

“In the near term, we are focused on fundamentals, prioritizing quality and serving our core users better”.

Nadella pointed to improvements the tech giant has already made on this front, including performance boosts for lower-memory devices, as well as a more “streamlined” Windows Update process.

He added that it has “brought back focus to core features and fundamentals that matter most to our customers”.

Nadella’s comments come in the wake of long-running concerns about the future of the Windows operating system, particularly on the topic of AI integration.

In November last year, Windows chief Pavan Davuluri sparked controversy after outlining plans to transform Windows into an “agentic OS”.

Davuluri’s X post suggested the company aimed to offer a “multi-modal” experience for users, with an array of AI features baked into the operating system.

The post sparked a fierce backlash among users, with some questioning why the tech giant was focusing so heavily on integrating AI features while other areas like performance and reliability were being overlooked.

The furore appears to have resonated with the company, and in March this year Davuluri detailed plans to dial back "unnecessary" Copilot features within the operating system.

In a blog post at the time, Davuluri said the company will only integrate AI where it’s “most meaningful”.

“You will see us be more intentional about how and where Copilot integrates across Windows, focusing on experiences that are genuinely useful and well‑crafted,” he wrote.

That same move by the company also marked efforts to improve feedback from users - the “largest update to Feedback Hub yet” - which aimed to make it easier to submit feedback.

A looming Windows overhaul?

Efforts to build on Davuluri’s March pledges appear to be accelerating, according to recent reports from Windows Central.

Citing sources close to the matter, the publication noted an internal project dubbed ‘Windows K2’ is already underway and working on sweeping upgrades to performance, reliability, and user experience.

These efforts won’t come in the form of a dedicated update, but instead will be intermittent improvements on a rolling basis.

Performance, in particular, is a key focus of the initiative. Company documents viewed by the publication suggest the tech giant is aware that performance has been a recurring pain point for users, specifically in applications such as File Explorer.

Elsewhere, UI improvements aim to deliver a smoother experience for Windows 11 users, according to Windows Central.

The report tracks with the key focus areas identified by Davuluri in his March blog post, which included goals to deliver a “faster and more dependable File Explorer” as well as taskbar customization and "more control over widgets and feed experiences".

Nadella touts strong Windows uptake

Elsewhere in the earnings call, Nadella hailed strong user growth on Windows 11 – an area in which the company has faced an uphill battle.

Figures touted by the Microsoft chief now put monthly active users at over 1.6 billion.

Windows 11 uptake has been sluggish since its launch in 2021, largely due to the huge popularity of its predecessor. Indeed, Windows 11 only overtook Windows 10 in popularity last year, nearly four years after its official release.

As ITPro reported at the time, figures from Statcounter showed the newer OS finally edged into the lead in mid-July.

Nadella’s comments came as Microsoft announced strong quarterly earnings. Chief financial officer (CFO) Amy Hood said the company “delivered results that exceeded expectations across revenue, operating income, and earnings per share”.

Annual revenue run rate for Microsoft’s AI business surpassed $37 billion in the company’s third quarter, growing 123% year-over-year.

Business is also booming for Microsoft Cloud, Nadella noted, which exceeded $54 billion in revenue, marking a 29% increase year-over-year.

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Windows 11 is four years old, yet many businesses still haven't taken the plunge. This isn't always a bad idea. Organizations frequently adopt a wait-and-see approach to implementing major operating system upgrades, as it gives Microsoft, Apple, and Linux distro maintainers time to iron out any kinks that emerge only through mass deployment. It also allows third-party developers to ship fully compatible updates to the business-critical applications on which they rely. Fortunately, in this instance, most Windows 10 applications will run without modification.

Mainstream support for Windows 10 ended in October 2025. Beyond that, the Extended Security Update (ESU) scheme gives home and small business users 12 months of additional coverage in return for syncing their PC settings, cashing in 1000 Microsoft reward points, or paying the local equivalent of $30 plus tax (full details at microsoft.com). Enterprises can push cover further, to October 2028, with a charged-for agreement.

However, while there may be valid business reasons for further postponing the switch, Windows 11 is undeniably a mature, well-supported operating environment, and one that's getting more capable by the day. Delaying much further means your business won't benefit from the features that competitors may already be enjoying.

Productivity enhancements

The UI has undergone a subtle refresh. Most noticeably, items on the taskbar have moved to the center by default (but can be returned to the left if you prefer), and the interface itself feels lighter. Windows 11's Fluent Design uses virtual Mica and Acrylic, along with a dimming overlay called 'smoke'. Each has a specific use. Mica, which is opaque, is used for primary window elements; acrylic, which is semi-transparent, for transient overlays; and smoke, to draw your attention away from the object to which it's applied and towards something more important, like a popped-up dialog.

These make Windows 11 a more appealing place to spend your working day but, more importantly, they supplement practical enhancements, like snap layouts, which make it easier to arrange windows for an overview of the applications you're using. Combine them with a suitably sized monitor, and they could make a quantifiable improvement to your workflow. So would continued support for Cloud Clipboard, through which users signing in via a Microsoft Account can copy multiple selections and synchronize them across all devices logged in with the same credentials.

The Start menu is less fussy than it was in Windows 10, having done away with pinned tiles in favor of app and file lists. In place of live tiles, we have Widgets, which live in a dedicated overlay that you can reveal by clicking a taskbar icon or pressing Windows + W. You can add to and subtract from the default selection, or hide Widgets from the taskbar entirely if it's not something you're ever going to use.

Organizations can use Widgets to surface corporate information when users sign in with Active Directory or Entra ID. Users can also use it to monitor their own responsibilities, with Microsoft 365 Workfeed Integration showing upcoming meetings and calendar events, recent documents in OneDrive for Business or SharePoint, and tasks assigned to them.

You can pin objects to either of the Start menu's app and file lists, or let Windows decide what should appear based on your activities. Again, by keeping the files you rely on close at hand, this could help shave sufficient minutes off your searching and switching to make things flow more smoothly. The File Explorer sidebar likewise reorganizes itself to keep your commonly used folders close at hand, and you can open multiple folders in tabs to reduce on-screen clutter and help with multitasking.

Teams is pre-installed, and the Chat app that sat on the taskbar in earlier versions has been phased out since launch. This is good news for business, as Chat was a consumer edition of Teams, closely integrated with the operating system, that wouldn't work with the corporate equivalent. That meant business users may have ended up with two versions installed side by side, so this move avoids potential confusion.

Stay focused

Windows 10 already had Focus Assist to suppress notifications when you needed to get on with your work. Windows 11 goes one step further with direct focus setting from the taskbar, and a focus utility that should be immediately familiar to anyone who uses the pomodoro technique or similar to manage their productivity.

Focus works with the Windows Clock app, in which you can specify your preferred work and break periods. If you integrate it with a Microsoft To Do task list you can select the task on which you want to focus during the session, and you can also pair it to Spotify if you work best when listening to music.

When you start a focus session, Windows suppresses all app and contact notifications, sounds, and alerts, and temporarily turns off flashing and badges on the taskbar to avoid drawing your attention. It's a small but significant change from the focus tools in Windows 10, but for anyone who finds themselves easily distracted, it could help them get more done in a working day – or allow them to knock off early.

Windows 11 AI

Copilot is commonly pre-installed and pinned to the taskbar or Start menu. It's invoked using a shortcut (Windows + C or, on some devices, alt + space), a wake-word, or by pressing the dedicated Copilot button on Copilot+ PC keyboards. You can uninstall Copilot entirely via Settings if you don't want to use it in your organization, or disable it via Group Policy or Intune. As you'd expect, you can use it to ask regular questions, brainstorm ideas, and fact-check, but depending on your Windows build and the hardware on which it's running, it has a number of additional features that are particularly suited to business use.

Copilot+ PCs, which benefit from an onboard neural processing unit (NPU), for example, can use Copilot to perform live video and audio translation from more than 40 languages into English, and some will also have access to Recall, which remains in preview for the time being. This takes regular screenshots and uses the NPU to index and analyze them. They can later be used to answer natural language queries. If Recall is supported by your hardware, it will be turned off by default and can be activated by launching the Recall app and working through the setup process, or by turning it on through the 'Privacy & security' area of Windows Settings.

Other recent additions include off-web support for Copilot Actions, which debuted in October 2025 and lets you use Copilot to automate tasks across apps and files using natural language. There's also Copilot Vision, through which the AI can view your desktop or app window to help you complete tasks. You can share up to two apps simultaneously with Vision and have a voice-led conversation about them. Vision won't take actions directly on your PC, but it can use an on-screen pointer to highlight elements, and can explain steps and show you what to do next. Microsoft clarifies that Vision doesn't capture, store, or use your data to train its models, and all images, audio, and context are deleted at the end of the session.

Both Actions and Vision could help staff do more under their own steam and may, in some instances, reduce their reliance on in-house or contracted support, thus reducing downtime.

Security

Windows Hello binds your login credentials – in the form of a PIN or biometric reading – to your device, which means they're only effective for logging in to that machine, and not any other to which you might have access. This minimizes the surfaces across which a malicious actor has access should they gain knowledge of a user's PIN. The same can't always be said for logging in to an app or machine with traditional username and password pairs.

Windows Hello for Business is an enterprise-grade extension to the regular Windows Hello system, designed for managed networks. It integrates with Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, and FIDO2 hardware keys to simplify users' login processes, while simultaneously hardening protection against credential theft and phishing.

Meanwhile, optional Microsoft Defender for Endpoint integration gives security teams a portal through which they can monitor incidents and alerts across their estate, and necessary remediation steps, allowing them to reduce their response time when a threat emerges. It gives teams a system-wide overview of emerging issues, helps them enforce policies, and, with automated investigation and response, can isolate or clean an endpoint automatically if required.

Windows 11 also supports Pluton Security Processors, which are integrated into some CPUs to protect credentials, identities, personal data, and encryption keys, as well as ensuring code integrity. As these functions are handled by a hardware component rather than software it's far more challenging for attackers to circumvent.

Making the switch

While there are some important visual differences, it should take very little time for users – whether in business or at home – to acclimatize to Windows 11. There's only so much you can tweak in a mouse-driven GUI, and while centering the Start menu has changed the look, it's barely impacted the feel of the operating system overall.

A more significant stumbling block when upgrading may therefore be Windows 11's system requirements. Most are conservative, kicking off with a 1GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and support for Secure Boot. While many devices manufactured at the turn of the decade will meet all of these requirements, some may fall down when it comes to the requirement for Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. TPM is a hardware-based security element that checks that the overall boot process and the software and hardware underpinning it are trustworthy. Version 2 was announced in 2014, and we're running Windows 11 on a machine that's been in service since May 2016 without issue, but it's nonetheless worth surveying your fleet as part of your upgrade planning to check specifically for TPM 2.0 support.

In some instances, it may be that TPM is present but switched off, in which case, check whether it can be enabled. However, if the module is absent, you'll have to either upgrade your hardware or switch to an alternative operating system. Upgrading needn't be expensive, and if you prefer not to buy new, you'll find that many reconditioned and refurbished options satisfy the necessary requirements.

Which Windows is right for your business?

All editions of Windows 11 support encryption on capable devices, biometric security for user identification, and presence sensing to secure devices when unattended – subject to them running on appropriate hardware.

Pro and Pro for Workstations editions also benefit from BitLocker device encryption, remote deployment and compliance, support for joining Active Directory domains, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows Sandbox. They also have an Assigned Access feature, through which users' ability to run different applications can be restricted on the basis of their individual identities; Group Policy Management; and Remote Desktop built in. Pro for Workstations uniquely features Resilient File System (ReFS), which can pull in data from a mirrored drive if the source data on a local machine is corrupted.

Beyond these, Windows 11 Enterprise adds the kind of features that would often be of greatest interest to a national or multinational organization with an IT team. These include Microsoft Endpoint Manager for centralizing device management and security policies, Windows Autopilot for automated provisioning, Credential Guard to stop credential theft, and Autopatch to automate validation and deployment of updates across fleets.

At first glance, therefore, Windows 11 Pro, as the middle-ground, would appear to be the best fit for most small- to mid-sized businesses, with Enterprise editions tailored to anything larger. Solo workers and some small businesses will likely manage with Windows 11 Home, as it includes Copilot, Teams, biometrics, and encryption (even if it lacks BitLocker), alongside everything the average knowledge worker should need to remain productive.

Most machines can be upgraded from Windows 10 to the equivalent version of Windows 11 at no cost, so long as they meet the minimum system requirements. If you do need to buy outright, prices fluctuate, and there's a significant premium for going Pro. Expect to pay around £119 for Windows 11 Home, and £219 for Windows 11 Pro.

With Windows 10 reaching end of life on 14 October, enterprises and consumers alike globally will be making the shift to Microsoft’s newer operating system.

While issues like security and device compatibility have become common recurring talking points, concerns have been rising about a looming torrent of e-waste, with thousands of tonnes of waste expected in the UK alone.

A key factor behind this is that many older devices aren’t capable of running the newer operating system, rendering them obsolete and bound for the scrapheap.

Based on metal recovery rates and the average weight of both laptops and desktop devices, analysis from Businesswaste.co.uk suggests the Windows 10 end of life transition could generate more than 12,805,100 kg of metals – equivalent to more than 8,000 cars.

Vital materials including copper, gold, silver, and other precious metals are all included in this mounting heap of waste, and the estimated recovery costs are eye–watering.

Materials such as gold, for example, have an estimated total value of over £1.6 billion while copper and silver have estimated values of £100 million and £33 million respectively.

Mark Hall, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said the figures highlight the environmental impact this transition period could have and the crucial considerations facing enterprises moving to new device ranges.

“It’s essential that any obsolete devices do not enter general waste streams. This is against UK WEEE regulations, meaning it’s illegal, and it can be highly damaging to our environment,” he said.

“WEEE waste recycling is complex and requires expert handling. Some electronic equipment and appliances can contain hazardous materials and it’s vital these are separated.

“With the mass scale of e-waste likely to be generated by the Windows 10 shutdown, we’re urging the public and businesses to ensure any old devices are handled correctly to avoid an environmental catastrophe.”

The Windows 10 end of life e-waste conundrum

This research isn’t the first to highlight the e-waste problem associated with device refreshes or operating system upgrades.

Researchers at Canalys raised serious concerns about the issue in late 2023, nearly two years ahead of the end of life deadline.

Analysis from the consultancy showed up to 240 million PCs would be terminated as a result of the shift to Windows 11 – largely due to not meeting minimum system compatibility requirements.

Many of these, Canalys warned, would eventually end up in landfill.

“Their incompatibility with the latest supported version of Windows massively reduces their value for refurbishing and reselling,” Canalys said at the time.

“If these were all folded laptops, stacked one on top of another, they would make a pile 600 km taller than the moon.”

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Extended support for Windows 10 could cost enterprises billions according to new research, prompting questions over why many are still plugging away with the operating system.

Analysis by Nexthink, released just weeks before Microsoft cuts off support for Windows 10, found maintaining custom versions of the operating system could cost in excess of $7.3 billion globally.

While businesses can choose to pay for extended support, this will set them back $61 per device for the first year. That price then doubles every year, for a maximum of three years, further compounding costs.

Enterprises and consumers alike have been moving away from Windows 10, albeit slowly, Nexthink found. Researchers at the company observed a 33% decrease in Windows 10 devices between 19 May 2025 and 1 August.

Figures from Statcounter also show the operating system still holds a 43% market share, with Windows 11 only recently overtaking it in popularity.

Based on current trends, this means even by the 14 October deadline around 121 million devices would still be running the operating system globally.

Sticking with Windows 10 poses risks

With this in mind, Nexthink said organizations need to ramp up efforts to switch operating systems ahead of the deadline, as failing to do so puts them at risk of cyber threats like malware and ransomware.

From a productivity perspective, failing to upgrade also has a marked impact on business efficiency, Nexthink noted. Similarly, partial upgrades can create their own issues, causing friction across teams due to “inconsistent experiences” between the two operating systems.

Tim Flower, digital employee experience strategist at Nexthink, said shifting to a new operating system “shouldn’t feel like a disruption”.

“It should be an opportunity to improve how employees work every day,” he said.

“That means understanding how devices and applications perform before the migration, anticipating issues and problems, and taking steps to ensure migrations and upgrades run smoothly.

“The goal is to avoid productivity being interrupted by an IT event, and help organizations see clear benefits from their investment.

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Last week's August update from Microsoft has reportedly caused issues with SSD storage devices for Windows 11 users.

The concerns center on update KB5063878, issued last week for Windows 11 by Microsoft as part of its monthly Patch Tuesday security updates. According to various reports, running the update makes some SSDs disappear from systems, potentially corrupting files.

Microsoft is yet to acknowledge or confirm the flaw in the update, and the reports remain sporadic, suggesting the fault only happens in specific situations.

ITPro contacted Microsoft for comment, but is yet to hear back.

Reports of problems first emerged with a post from a Japanese user on X that suggested the issue seems to occur on SSDs that are 60% full after they write 50GB of data.

The post added that Phison NAND controllers are particularly prone, but the problem appears to exist across SSD makers. ITPro has contacted Phison for clarification on the matter.

Meanwhile, a thread on social media site Reddit has multiple user reports of similar issues, starting in Japan. The reports suggest the fault occurs after writing large amounts of data, with Windows 11 subsequently failing to see the impacted drives.

Reports suggest some HHDs may also be affected by the flaw.

While the cause of the fault remains unconfirmed, and may not be caused directly by a flaw in Microsoft's code, any user concerned about the issue can hold off on installing the update.

It's not the first time Microsoft has faced a flaw in a cumulative batch of updates, with a patch last year causing the dreaded Blue Screen of Death crashes for users.

Elsewhere in the Windows 11 update

Issued last week, the Windows 11 patch for 24H2 and 23H2 systems was rolled out with security updates — the collection addressed 119 vulnerabilities across all Microsoft software — as well as a few smaller usability tweaks.

One new feature is quick machine recovery, which is designed to help recover devices suffering critical boot errors. Beyond the potential SSD problems, the update has seen other issues.

Microsoft said in a support document that some users have seen an error code alongside failure to install the update, in particular when it's deployed via Windows Server Update Services, so it's likely to impact business and enterprise users rather than home users.

That issue has now been resolved, Microsoft said, advising anyone with a failed install to refresh and resync with the update services and try again.

Microsoft also admitted users may see an additional error update related to "Microsoft Pluton Cryptographic Provider" not loading because initialization failed.

However, the company said that it relates to a feature still in development and will not cause any problems with Windows now, so no action is required.

Beyond that update, Microsoft has issued an alert to any users on Windows 10 advising them to upgrade to Windows 11 ahead of the end of support looming in mid-October.

Anyone unable — or unwilling — to shift to the newer OS can sign up for Microsoft's Extended Security Updates program to at least continue receiving monthly security updates.

Microsoft also warned about Windows Secure Boot certificate expiration in June 2026, calling for individuals and businesses to update devices ahead of time to avoid failing to boot securely.

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For Microsoft Windows 10 users, the clock is ticking down to October 14, 2025 – the date at which support for the platform will end, along with free software updates, essential security fixes, and technical assistance. According to Statcounter, Windows 10 still held 52.94% of the Windows Desktop market worldwide in April 2025, indicating the ongoing reluctance of businesses to upgrade to Windows 11 more than three and a half years after it was launched.  

Given the dependence of businesses on Windows, the decision about what to do next is not one that can be ignored forever. Anecdotally, it is one of the most frequently raised topics by companies through our reseller channel right now, and the decisions made will have a significant impact on efficiency, security, and overall IT strategy. 

So, let’s look at the various options available and how the channel can help to guide companies towards a resolution.  

The options 

No action at all 

Any company can choose to do nothing and continue using Windows 10 after the October date, but this is a risky strategy and is unlikely to be the guidance offered by resellers.

Systems will immediately become vulnerable to cyberattacks and compliance issues if they no longer have access to security updates and technical support, putting at risk operational, reputational, and financial stability.  

Maintain Windows 10 with extended support 

If a company is not yet ready to move to Windows 11 or to invest in new hardware, resellers could suggest that it continue using Windows 10 and pay for extended support for an agreed period of time.  

With the help of a reseller, the company can access Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates for a fee to ensure critical security is maintained after the end-of-support date. What should be stressed, however, is that this is a temporary solution, while the transition to a supported operating system is organized.  

Recommend pre-installed new devices 

New hardware, pre-installed with the Windows 11 operating system, would appear to be a smart move, since it ensures compatibility with the latest software and security features and ensures a seamless transition. 

Resellers working with companies that have constrained budgets may find that they simply can’t afford to invest in new devices. With a larger budget, however, the question will undoubtedly be whether they should purchase an AI PC or a non-AI PC. 

AI PCs offer many benefits, including enhanced performance and efficiency in AI tasks, and greater security and privacy, but there are a number of limitations that need to be considered. Because they include cutting-edge components such as Neural Processing Units and high-performance CPUs and GPUs, they come at a cost. If a customer will benefit long-term from these features, the investment will be worthwhile, but resellers should provide guidance where this is unlikely to be the case. In addition, a decision will need to be made about whether to opt for devices with ARM chipsets, such as Qualcomm Snapdragon, or X86 chipsets, like those from Intel or AMD, where again, the reseller has an important role to play.  

Snapdragon AI PCs provide improved overall performance compared to their AMD or Intel counterparts. However, running x86 applications on Snapdragon CPUs can require emulation, such as Prism on Copilot+ PCs. In turn, this can lead to slower performance, and some emulated OS features are incompatible with the hardware. 

In truth, the hype around AI PCs doesn’t often live up to the reality, and organizations are still struggling to realize practical applications from their AI PC investments. This will likely change when more AI-driven software and applications are introduced, but early adopters could find themselves stuck with devices with inadequate specifications and starting all over again.  

Purchasing new non-AI PCs is more straightforward and has the advantage of delivering Windows 11 from the start, solving that conundrum. Resellers should inform companies that these devices will typically last between 3 and 5 years, but also make them aware that with the fast development of AI PCs and their applications, there will be a point at which new software and updates for their non-AI PC will become less compatible.  

Upgrade existing devices 

Perhaps the best advice that resellers can give to their customers who are unsure about the best next steps is to enhance their existing systems so they can upgrade to Windows 11 without investing in all-new hardware. Adding memory and SSD storage, for example, will, at the very least, provide existing devices with the specs they need to meet the requirements of Windows 11 and extend the life of their current hardware while providing access to enhanced security and productivity features. 

App maturity and compatibility for new AI PCs is still evolving, which makes upgrading memory and storage a strategic move. Improving the performance and expanding the lifespan of current hardware allows organizations to delay a full hardware refresh until the market has matured and reduces the need for immediate replacements. 

Next steps

Resellers should be informing their customers that Windows 10 is reaching the end of support, and it’s time for them to consider what direction they want to take. Buying new Windows 11-enabled devices is a viable option that comes at a cost, and at a time when AI technology is evolving very rapidly.

Our recommendation would be for the channel to encourage customers to upgrade existing hardware to Windows 11 and enhance it with additional memory and SSDs to ensure a good cost/performance ratio. This will help organizations to navigate this transition period and take full advantage of the benefits of Windows 11, whilst keeping their technology options open for what’s to come next.   

The UK's National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) has urged organizations to upgrade to Windows 11 before the end of support deadline for Windows 10 hits in October.

In a blog post, the cybersecurity body pointed out there are significant security risks for those who do not choose to upgrade.

Beyond the difficulties linked to being out of a dedicated support period, out-of-date operating systems are prime targets for cyber criminals – and the NCSC said the risks simply aren’t worth it.

Take the IE 6-11 vulnerability from the end of support for Windows XP as an example.

Organizations have until October 2025 to update their devices and hardware before Windows 10 reaches end-of-life status. Despite Windows 11 being almost four years old, many have still not made the switch.

“While Windows 10 was released more than a decade ago, it is still used widely by enterprises and not upgrading is akin to incurring a debt at a high interest rate – with the threat of forced repayment at a future date,” NCSC chief technical officer, Ollie Whitehouse, warned.

“The NCSC implores any organisation that has not already migrated to a more modern system to do so to help address security vulnerabilities in your devices and ensure overall cyber resilience. This is essential as demonstrated by the requirement to maintain supported software in Cyber Essentials.”

What’s holding up the shift to Windows 11?

One reason for companies holding on to Windows 11 could be the necessary hardware requirements.

Requirements such as TPM 2.0, UEFI, and support for Secure Boot may mean upgrading to more modern laptops, which might be a cost headache in the short term.

However, the cost of a cyber incident might be far worse in the long run.

As part of its guidance, the NCSC also released updated configuration packs for Microsoft Windows, with selected group settings to make it easier to deploy.

The requirements have led to suggestions that it could lead to a global torrent of e-waste, with millions of devices scrapped.

Research from Canalys suggested that up to 240 million PCs around the world could be terminated as a result of the shift to Windows 11.

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Windows 11 has officially overtaken Windows 10 as Microsoft’s most popular operating system, nearly four years after its official release.

According to figures from Statcounter over the weekend, the operating system is now running on 51.77% of all Windows PCs, edging out its predecessor at 45.02%.

This marks a major milestone for the flagship operating system. When it launched in October 2021, user uptake was underwhelming to say the least. By the end of its first year, it had only recorded around 10% of all installations on Windows PCs.

Windows 11’s market share has been climbing in recent years, but not quite to the extent that the tech giant might have hoped. In 2023, for example, it had captured around 28% of all installations on Windows PCs, while 2024 saw that rise to 36%.

This progress was overshadowed by the continued popularity of Microsoft’s previous operating system, Windows 10.

Analysis from ControlUp last year showed that both businesses and consumers alike were lagging on Windows 11 migration, with over 82% of business devices still not running the operating system.

Windows 11 uptake comes at a critical time

The growing popularity of Windows 11 comes ahead of a critical period for users and enterprises globally. From 14th October this year, Windows 10 will reach its ‘end of life’ date, meaning the operating system will no longer receive security updates.

There are exemptions here, however. Microsoft will offer extended service updates (ESU) past the October deadline, but pricing has been a contentious topic.

Microsoft has been keen to emphasize the importance of switching to the new operating system ahead of this deadline, as it could leave users open to an array of potential security risks.

Cybersecurity experts also agree on the possibility of security issues. Speaking to ITPro earlier this year, Steve Prescott-Jones, UBDS Digital managed services director, said enterprises still working with Windows 10 past the deadline risk exposing themselves to malware, ransomware, and a variety of threats.

“Without these updates, businesses may also face operational inefficiencies and compliance challenges that could disrupt day-to-day activities,” he added.

But switching over isn’t quite as simple as it may seem. There are hardware compatibility considerations at play while many enterprises still have lingering concerns about botched migrations.

ControlUp’s analysis last year specifically highlighted this as a key factor behind sluggish enterprise uptake alongside device refresh considerations.

Looking for advice on how to make the switch to Windows 11? ITPro has you covered in our comprehensive migration guide.

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With the clock ticking down to the Windows 10 end of life (EOL) deadline in October, organizations are dragging their feet on Windows 11 migration – and leaving their devices vulnerable as a result.

New data from threat exposure management platform NordStellar shows that nearly six-in-ten systems affected by infostealers in December last year are still running Windows 10.

"The number of systems affected by infostealers closely mirrors the overall operational system market share — Windows 10 has been heavily targeted for years due to its popularity,” said Vakaris Noreika, a cybersecurity expert at NordStellar.

“However, it will have an even bigger target on its back in the wake of its end of life, which will eventually create new vulnerabilities.”

"Once an operational system reaches this deadline, it no longer receives any security updates, vulnerability patches, or support from the software creator. These vulnerabilities are widely known and often exploited — infostealers can be coded to target these weaknesses more efficiently, resulting in more effective attacks against outdated systems."

Sticking with Windows 10 could have dire consequences

While the Windows 11 adoption rate has been rising steadily since last November, time is running out. Microsoft has made no secret of the changeover, and has repeatedly urged enterprises and consumers alike to make the shift to the newer operating system.

Failure to do so could have dire consequences, Noreika warned, with enterprises leaving themselves open to an array of threats.

"Migrating to a new operational system takes time — based on the current adoption rate, we estimate that approximately 30 to 40% of systems may still be running Windows 10 when it reaches end of life in October, creating a substantial attack surface for cyber criminals," said Noreika.

The situation may mirror that of Windows 7, which still had a 23% market share six months before its end of life - and 20% when the deadline hit. Even now, according to NordStellar, it holds a 2% market share and is still being targeted by infostealers.

Meanwhile, infostealers aren't the only risk for future Windows 10 users, with malware and new data exfiltration and exploitation techniques on the rise.

"Considering just how many enterprises might still be running Windows 10 after its end of life, there's a high possibility that we'll see a growth in various cybersecurity incidents if businesses continue to delay migration," said Noreika.

"Taking into account the financial and reputational losses that come with a data breach, delaying migration can be a decision that eventually costs the company millions of dollars and their client's trust, which will take years to regain."

Users seeking to continue with Windows 10 can fork out for extended security updates (ESU), which provide critical security updates for up to three years after the official EOL date.

But they don't come cheap, at $61 per device for the first year, doubling every year to $122 per device in year two and $244 in year three. Nor do they include ongoing technical support.

MORE FROM ITPRO

• Microsoft Windows 11 review: The more things change, the more they stay the same
• Having difficulty with Windows 11? Here are the most common problems - and how to fix them
• A new phishing campaign is exploiting Microsoft’s legacy ADFS identity solution

Microsoft has confirmed that the 22H2 version of Windows 10 will be the last to receive updates on the operating system ahead of going end of life (EOL) in 2025. 

In an advisory this week, Jason Leznek, Microsoft’s principal product manager for Windows Servicing and Delivery revealed that the 22H2 edition will be the “final version of Windows 10”. 

The move applies to all editions of Windows 10 22H2, including Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, Pro Education, IoT Enterprise editions, and Pro for Workstations. 

Leznek confirmed that these editions will still receive security updates until the cut-off point in October 2025, when Windows 10 is expected to officially reach end of servicing. 

“The current version, 22H2, will be the final version of Windows 10, and all editions will remain in support with monthly security update releases through that date,” he said.

Organizations still using Windows 10 were also advised to upgrade devices to the 22H2 edition to ensure they continue receiving security updates. 

“If you and/or your organization must remain on Windows 10 for now, please update to Windows 10, version 22H2 to continue receiving monthly security update releases through October 14, 2025,” Leznek said. 

“See how you can quickly do this via a servicing enablement package in How to get the Windows 10 2022 Update.”

The announcement from Microsoft comes nearly eight years after the launch of Windows 10. 

The operating system, dubbed at the time as “the last version of Windows”, launched globally on 29 July 2015. 

Windows 10 remains by far one of the most popular operating systems for desktop users globally, boasting a 73.48% share of the Windows desktop operating system market, according to analysis from statcounter. 

Organizations urged to upgrade to Windows 11

In its advisory notice, Microsoft urged organizations and users to upgrade to Windows 11 in the wake of the announcement. 

“We highly encourage you to transition to Windows 11 now as there won’t be any additional Windows 10 feature updates,” Leznek wrote. 

The operating system officially launched in November 2021, but uptake of the OS has lagged due to the popularity of Windows 10. 

There was a time when Microsoft insisted that Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows. That didn’t age particularly well when Windows 11 dropped late last year, but at least it’s a free upgrade to those still beavering away with Windows 10.

And, as freebies go, it’s hard to fault. A new UI, enhanced security, better built-in software and support for Android apps are all on the table for those willing to take the time to upgrade.

But is your PC up to the task of running Windows 11? Thankfully, Microsoft has a quick and easy way of finding out, so you don’t waste a whole afternoon upgrading, only to have to downgrade again. Here’s how to check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11.

How to check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11

All Windows 10 PCs and laptops are eligible to upgrade to Windows 11, but not all will be capable of running it. Thankfully, Microsoft has published a tool allowing you to quickly and easily check whether your device is eligible.

1. Head to Microsoft’s Windows 11 page and scroll down to the section labelled “Check for compatibility.” Click “Download PC Health Check App.”

2. Double click the installer, agree to the Licence Agreement, and click “Install”.

3. Leave “Open Windows PC Health Check” ticked and press “Finish.”

4. Right at the top of the new window, you’ll see a blue box titled “Introducing Windows 11.” Press the button labelled “Check now”.

5. All being well, in a few seconds you’ll see this screen. Yes, it’s a little odd that Microsoft says the OS is “coming soon” when it's been out for nearly a year, but you can proceed with the upgrade in confidence - assuming you do, in fact, want to try the new software out.

Why isn’t my PC compatible with Windows 11?

After running the compatibility checker, you may find that your device is not in fact currently capable of supporting the new OS. Don’t panic, however; it might well be an easy fix. Click “Learn More” and find out exactly why your PC isn’t qualified for Windows 11.

One requirement, for example, is that for its beefed-up security, Windows 11 needs your motherboard to have a TPM 2.0 (“Trusted Platform Module”) chip. This has been a part of PC motherboards since October 2014, so there’s a good chance you have it — it might just not be enabled. Ours wasn’t when we first took the test and failed, but enabling it quickly changed Microsoft’s mind and we were good to go.

The slight difficulty is that every motherboard manufacturer has a slightly different method for enabling it. All the same, the instructions will be something like this:

1. Shut down your computer and turn it back on.
2. On the boot up splash screen, press the key that brings up the BIOS. This varies depending on your manufacturer, but it will say somewhere on screen (it’s often F2, F9 or DEL).
3. Once you are in the BIOS, look for a security section and scan for the TPM acronym. If you find it’s disabled, enable it.
4. While you’re there, check that Secure Boot Mode — something Windows 11 also requires — is enabled.
5. Save, exit and try the PC Health Check again.

Even if your motherboard doesn't have native TPM 2.0, you may be able to buy a plug-in module to add the capability. Check your board's specs to see if there's a spare slot for a TPM 2.0 chip; if so, the manufacturer probably sells the corresponding module for a small fee. Do note, however, that this almost certainly won't be an option for laptops.

Your problem, of course, might be specs based. If your PC just isn’t fast enough and you can’t upgrade, it may be time to check our list of the best Windows laptops, many of which already come with Windows 11.

But if that’s not an option, don’t lose hope — Microsoft has signalled it’s looking at ways of reducing the minimum requirements, so if you narrowly miss out, you might still be eligible eventually.

Microsoft Windows 11 is here, and the company's updated operating system is promising a range of new features and design tweaks aimed at modernising the user experience. As with pretty much all major software revisions, however, there will inevitably be those who prefer the comfortable familiarity of the existing software they've gotten to know over the last several years.

Windows 10 will be retired in October 2025, at which point the OS will cease to be officially supported. While users are advised to upgrade to the latest version of Windows as soon as reasonably possible, you still have a few years before it becomes a safety issue, and many will likely cling to their current OS until that point.

But what if you've already upgraded to Windows 11, and decided that it’s not for you? Thankfully, Microsoft allows you to change your mind, and rolling back to Windows 10 is quick and easy - as long as you don't wait around too long.

Microsoft gives you a pretty small window to make the choice to revert back to Windows 10 — just ten days. After that, you can still downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10, but you may decide that it’s more trouble than it’s worth, and you’ll just learn to love the upgrade instead. You can, after all, make Windows 11 feel a lot more like Windows 10 if you like.

If the clock is ticking on your decision window, here’s how to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10.

How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 within your first ten days

If you’ve only just made the upgrade to Windows 11 and decided it’s not for you, the journey back to Windows 10 is pretty straightforward. Just be aware that any changes you’ve made to Windows in the intervening time — from settings tweaks to installed software — won’t carry over.

1. Press the Start button, and then select the Settings icon in your pinned apps. If you can’t see it there, just type “Settings” in the search box at the top, and click the familiar cog icon when it appears.

2. You’ll find yourself automatically in the ‘System’ submenu. Scroll down to near the bottom of the list, and click “Recovery”.

3. Click “Go back” — it’s the third option down on the list.

4. To its credit, Microsoft won’t try to guilt you into staying, but you can give some honest feedback if you like. Otherwise, just tick a random box and press “Next”.

5. As a last-ditch attempt to convince you not to execute a roll-back, Microsoft advises that installing the latest Windows 11 updates may fix any issues that are prompting you to go back to the previous version. If you’re still sure you wish to proceed, just press “No, thanks”.

6. Almost there! Microsoft will warn you that anything you’ve changed won’t carry over. It also advises you to back up files — these shouldn’t be impacted, but you can never be too careful. Press “Next” when ready.

7. The system will then remind you that you'll need to know the password you used to sign in to your previous Windows 10 installation in order to log back in once the roll-back is complete. Got it? Press “Next” again.

8. At the final confirmation page, press “Go back to Windows 10” and the downgrade process will begin. Make sure not to turn off your PC, and if you’re on a laptop, make sure it’s plugged in.

How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 if you’ve missed the roll-back period

If you’ve gone longer than ten days with Windows 11, Microsoft assumes you’re happy with your choice, and closes this particular door, blacking the option out instead:

But what if you’re not? Well, there are two more options for downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10, but they’re pretty dramatic, and you may just decide to stick with what you have instead.

If you’re comfortable with command prompts, you could try this Microsoft command line tool, which lets you amend the number of days for which the downgrade window remains open. Once amended, just follow the same steps as above.

If that feels too much like black magic, the alternative is a fresh installation of Windows 10, which is very much the nuclear option. Be sure to back up all your files and then download Windows 10 from Microsoft, and install it to a USB stick in the usual manner.

Once you're on Windows 10, you will want to get the most out of the operating system. A good place to start is to migrate away from your slower hard drive and install Windows 10 on an SSD instead. We've put together a handy guide on how to move Windows 10 from an HDD to an SSD, which includes a handful of steps on how to protect your data in the process.

Beyond that, it's worth taking a look at our guide to speeding up Windows 10 for a host of other clever tricks you can use to get the most out of the ageing operating system.

Microsoft has officially started rolling out Windows 11 as a free upgrade to eligible devices, as well as shipping it preinstalled with new machines. The upgraded OS includes a number of key benefits for users, and with much of the DNA between Windows 10 and Windows 11 shared, it’s hardly surprising that the two operating systems feel instantly familiar.

For the most part, starting off in Windows 11 should be a doddle for veterans of Microsoft’s software, just as the company intended. However, there are some ways in which it feels that Microsoft has deliberately made Windows 11 different for the sake of it, and none of these are more obvious than the arbitrary relocation of the Start Menu from the bottom left-hand corner to the middle of the taskbar.

Fortunately, putting that right takes less than a minute if you know where to look. Here’s how to move the Start Menu in Windows 11 to where it belongs, as well as a few other tips to make the new OS feel more familiar to those who are missing Windows 10.

How to move the Start Menu in Windows 11 to where it belongs

Putting the Start menu and taskbar in the middle of the screen does make a certain amount of sense from a design perspective; it makes it more of a central focus, and may make it more convenient to access on larger displays. On the other hand, long-time Windows users will likely feel more at home with its original positioning in the left-hand corner of the screen, so it's a good job Windows 11 allows you to switch it back without any hassle.

1. Press the Start button, from its current home in the middle of the taskbar, and then select “Settings.” If you can’t see it for any reason, type “settings” in the search box, and then click the cog icon when it appears.

2. Select “Personalisation” from the list of categories on the left-hand side.

3. Click “Taskbar” from the menu that appears on the right. It’s the seventh option down.

4. Select “Taskbar behaviours” — it’s the last option in the list.

5. Click the dropdown next to the words “Taskbar alignment” and change “Centre” to “Left”. Sadly there’s no option to go crazy and move it out to the right.

How to disable Windows 11's new icons

Microsoft has made the new taskbar quite a bit more cluttered, pushing Search, Task view, Widgets and Chat onto unsuspecting upgraders. While this may potentially be convenient for some, for those that like to keep a large number of apps pinned to their taskbar, this could quickly get frustrating. It’s very easy to get rid of these, thankfully.

1. Repeat steps 1 and 2 above.

2. At the top of the page you’ll see a list of “Taskbar items.” Flick the toggle on each from ‘on’ to ‘off’ for a less cluttered interface.

How to replace the original Windows 10 wallpaper

The original default wallpaper that shipped with Windows 10 was an eye-catching piece of photographic art which underlined the software's new, modern sensibilities, and while it's not quite as iconic as Windows XP's 'Bliss' wallpaper, it had a distinct charm.

Sadly, Windows 11 comes with a new default background, and the old Windows 10 wallpaper isn't included as an option by default. As with all modern operating systems, however, you can install your own custom wallpapers - and if you want to put the original Windows 10 one back, you can download it from here, and reset it as your desktop background in Windows 11's personalisation menu.

How to bring back the original windows 10 Start Menu design

Another element that's different in the latest version of Windows is the start menu itself, which ditches many of the design elements and interactions available in Windows 10 and earlier. This is another thing that old-school Microsoft fans may wish to restore to its previous look and feel.

The bad news is that this isn’t something Microsoft lets you do directly within Windows 11. The good news is that you can sidestep this with a few bits of software — though you’ll have to pay if you want flawless results.

One option is Open Shell Menu, which brings back the classic Start Menu layout. It’s open source and free to use, but it can be a bit fiddly, and the general consensus is that it doesn’t always work flawlessly. If you want a bit more stability, or a few extra features not offered by Open Shell, you may be better off paying a one-off fee for an alternative. Start All Back and Start 11 will both cost you around $5 and offer a similar feature set.

In the world of business technology, Microsoft has been a firm fixture for decades, and its flagship operating system forms the backbone of many organisations’ IT strategies. Windows remains the dominant platform used by most companies for their desktop and laptop fleets, and as such, the question of how best to manage their Windows deployments is one that many IT leaders have to grapple with.

Keeping business devices up to date with the latest Windows versions is a key part of maintaining a strong security posture, but this must also be balanced with other concerns like potential compatibility issues, as well as the planning and organisation involved in performing any large-scale migration.

Microsoft is currently in the process of rolling out Windows 11, an all-new version of its OS software, and as deployment gears up, we checked in with our panellists to find out more about their plans for upgrading to the latest version, as well as their tips for planning a smooth migration, and what influences their choice of desktop platform.

Clash of the titans

Unsurprisingly, all our panellists reported running Windows devices within their organisations. While Windows retains the largest market share in terms of business devices, the gulf between it and its competition isn’t as vast as it once was. Apple has been particularly successful in establishing a foothold with developers and engineers, and almost all our panellists reported their software developers had a preference for macOS devices.

Moonpig, for example, gives all its staff the choice between Mac or Windows machines, and CTO Peter Donlon reports that although most of the business is split, the majority of his technical staff have opted for the former.

“When you think about the amount of effort you put into hiring great people and then you pay them good salaries, why would you force them to use a tool that's suboptimal for them? For a lot of our engineers, it's a lot more efficient and comfortable to work on a Unix-based operating system,” he says. “Equally, for people in the finance team, they very well might be more comfortable and experienced with using Windows. I feel it's the job of IT to enable everyone in the business to do their best work and as such the right choices of equipment are a key part of that.”

Tempcover’s staff have a similar choice, CTO Marc Pell says, but in contrast to Moonpig, most are on Windows. Having access to a macOS device, however, is “necessary for certain app development”, Pell notes.

For Guide Dogs CIO Gerard McGovern, meanwhile, the issue is a little less clear-cut. He’s a personal user of both platforms, but points out that, for larger organisations, Microsoft has a couple of key advantages that makes Windows a more compelling option.

“I agree to a point,” he says. “For engineers, et cetera, there are clear advantages and that's why they use Macs. Personal preference is nice to be able to cater for, but Macs are more expensive and the business level support is not great, so when you have 2,000 people, those differences add up.”

Unlike Tempcover, Moonpig and Guide Dogs, Kreston Reeves does not offer its staff a choice of platforms. Instead, workers are supplied with a Windows-based HP laptop, with centralised compute resource provided by Citrix’s desktop virtualisation software, but as director of IT Chris Madden explains, this lack of choice is driven by necessity.

“We are an accountancy practice,” he says, “and some of our key software has to run on-premises as no cloud versions are available. Some examples are tax production software, practice management software dealing with time and fees, et cetera.”

“There are no real alternatives,” he adds. “Occasionally there may be an option to move to a vendor who has a cloud product, however that is arduous and involves re-training hundreds of people. That hidden training cost is quite a barrier to change. We also go for a best-of-breed approach on our specialist software so a move away may well be seen by my colleagues as a step backwards.”

Ironing out the kinks

This also governs how quickly Kreston Reeves can update its endpoints, as the software it relies on may not be upgraded to be compatible with newer operating systems for some time after their initial rollout. Waiting until the newer version is a little more mature also reduces the likelihood of bugs and instability, which is attractive for organisations with a lower risk tolerance.

For those with less reliance on specialist software tools, the decision to upgrade their fleets can be approached with more flexibility. McGovern, for example, is planning to have the majority of his users migrated to Windows 11 by February next year. Although Guide Dogs has some software that requires Windows 10 - such as programmes used in its breeding centre - McGovern says he isn’t going to let this delay the rollout.

“We are relatively simple in our requirements,” he says; “90% of our users just use Office and web apps. We've been doing testing and there are some specialist tools we have that aren't compatible, so we’ll be pausing those.”

Moonpig has also been running a pilot programme to assess any compatibility issues with Microsoft’s newest refresh, and notes that there have been one or two hiccups that may prove to be a small barrier, most notably with security products like VPN and endpoint protection solutions. However, the company prefers to keep its machines as up-to-date as possible, and Donlon says that he expects the migration to be taken care of relatively quickly.

“If the compatibility issues are resolved quickly, it could be within a month or so,” he says. “I can't imagine it being more than a few months. Ultimately our requirements are fairly simple as 99% of the software our colleagues use is SaaS. It's just making sure it's secure.”

When Tempcover does decide to migrate, Pell predicts a smooth transition, largely down to the fact that neither hardware nor software compatibility will be an issue.

“There are a couple of programs that need a Windows machine, but we have Parallels to thank in these cases,” he explains. “With Microsoft’s Mac support with tools like Visual Studio Code, we can work on the app (which is built in React Native) with ease.”

If it seems like our panellists’ migration plans for Windows 11 are somewhat lacking in urgency, that’s because they were in universal agreement that it’s distinctly lacking in must-have features. Although the need for continuing security updates means they’ll need to upgrade sooner or later, there’s very little about Windows 11 our panellists found overly compelling.

“To be honest, I’ve not found any new features worth calling out in day-to-day use, apart from the time prediction on installing Windows Updates which is a nice touch”, Pell says. “We’ll migrate users at some point next year, but we’re in no particular hurry. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a number of cases, the upgrade coincides with a hardware refresh too - again because I’m yet to see the justification for the effort.

“We may also provide a guide and permission to perform the upgrade to staff who are comfortable to do so. We have a heavily IT-literate staff so this is a possibility with a light touch from a support perspective.”

Similarly, Madden says that he hasn’t identified any USPs for Windows 11, aside from some “low-level automation functionalities” which will be rendered somewhat redundant by Kreston Reeves’ likely deployment of Microsoft’s own Power Automate platform.

“For us, it's a better UI/UX, especially on the assistive side,” McGovern says. “The contrast options are better, there’s more audible alerts, and tweaks to magnification and text to voice.”

He adds that the overall UI is better than its predecessor, but even McGovern notes that the new OS is “more of a Windows 10 Service Pack”.

Slow and steady

With this in mind, it’s easy to see why IT leaders might want to delay the planning and execution of an OS migration, which can be a stressful endeavour if not managed correctly. Donlon’s main strategy is to gather continual feedback from test users to identify any potential issues, and McGovern follows a similar approach.

“Appoint a good project manager, build the team, engage with end users, test in small numbers, roll out gradually, learn from mistakes, feedback into process, cross your fingers and hopefully, you should be all done.”

Unlike with other software rollouts, however, user education and training isn’t a priority for our panellists when it comes to new operating systems. As Donlon points out, the gradual rate of change - particularly given the lack of new features in Windows 11 - means there’s not much to adjust to.

“In my opinion,” he says, “OS updates tend to be very incremental these days so there's not that much to learn from version to version. We do have a fairly tech-savvy organisation though, so I can appreciate that it might be different for others.”

“I would agree,” Pell adds; “it’s familiar enough not to cause staff any disruption, I would think.”

Fundamentally, desktop devices remain the bedrock upon which business IT is built, and how one manages the software that powers them will vary depending on an organisation’s priorities. Madden, for example, needs to keep a close eye on software compatibility, while Moonpig’s and Tempcover’s reliance on cloud and SaaS-based tools mean that for both Pell and Donlon, it’s more an issue of personal preference. McGovern, on the other hand, takes a more practical view.

“Whilst software is cloud based, for us the standard OS route is about providing a consistent experience,” he explains. “We can ship a laptop out and someone logs in and everything is set up. It will automatically download settings, documents etc and automatically work on a corporate Wi-Fi, VPN et cetera.”

“Our philosophy is to allow people to access from anywhere, on any device so we support nearly every scenario, but there is a difference when it's a corporate bought and supplied device. And, as well, whilst cloud apps are good, people still mostly prefer the ‘real’ Office and Teams apps.”

We’ve all felt that sinking feeling, after our favourite operating system or piece of software gets a new update and we realise that the layout has changed and half the features don’t work like they used to. But why do we get so attached to our applications, and why do we find it so irksome when they change?

In this week’s episode of the IT Pro Podcast, staff writer Bobby Hellard joins us to discuss the painful process of accepting updates, including why it’s more difficult for organisations in certain industries, which companies are the worst culprits for making unpopular changes, and how organisations can ease the process of transitioning to new tools.

Highlights

“I think that for me, the reason that I didn't hate Windows 8 and actually quite liked it and engaged with it as a touchscreen type thing and thought it was kind of cool, is because I am typically a Mac user. And so the interface that I am very used to is different; the Apple menu is kind of similar to a Start bar, but it's not the same. And so for me, I'm like, ‘Oh, well, this is fine, because it's like my phone’. And it was the whole ‘one Windows’ thing that was supposed to be across all devices. But regular Windows users were just like, torches and pitchforks outside Redmond.”

“When it's software that we use all the time, every day, those little tweaks and changes can really slow down workflows, because it’s about familiarity, fundamentally. So when it's an operating system, whether that's smartphone or desktop, we're using it all the time. So the little frustrations of having to hunt around for a few seconds to find a context menu or whatever really start to mount up. And also I think there's a psychological element. Humans are very good at forming attachments with things, and I think that happens with software as much as it does with a robot vacuum cleaner, or a cat.”

“It can make it difficult for businesses if their staff aren’t upgrading; security issues, because they don't get the patches and so on. But I always keep thinking about the government and their use of WhatsApp. And they keep saying that they shouldn't use it, because they're deletable messages and whatnot. But it just sounds like it's convenient, and that's the way they want to use it, and there's no other alternative that's as easy. So it's that difficulty between giving your staff stuff that they use and want to use, that's convenient, and keeping your business secure, or keeping people within the guidelines.”

Read the full transcript here.

Footnotes

• Google releases Android 12 developer preview
• Android vs iOS: Which mobile OS is right for you?
• Microsoft co-founder blasts "confusing" Windows 8
• Microsoft intervention needed to make Windows 8 a hit, claim analysts
• Windows 10: 4 things Windows 10 can do that Windows 8.1 can't
• What to do if you're still running Windows 7
• Make Linux look like Windows 7
• Microsoft offers select Windows 7 users an extra year of support
• The autopsy of Windows 7
• Google extends Chrome support for Windows 7 until 2022
• The IT Pro Podcast: Farewell Windows 7
• How to virtualise Windows 7 inside Windows 10
• Microsoft Windows 11 review: The more things change, the more they stay the same
• Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in 2025
• Google Cloud seeks to abandon its ‘Killed By Google’ reputation
• Killed by Google
• Should IT departments call time on WhatsApp?
• Facebook blames faulty configuration change for hours-long outage
• Treasury wiped data from over 100 gov-issued smartphones in 2020
• UK gov agrees new three-year cloud deal with Microsoft
• NHS aims to solve cyber security issues with Windows 10 migration by 2020 deadline
• NHS systems still reliant on Windows XP
• Uncovering the hidden costs of cloud migration
• Health care organizations are unprepared for cloud migration
• The IT Pro Podcast: How VMware drinks its own champagne
• IT Pro Panel: Why collaboration platforms are so hard to deploy
• The IT Pro Podcast: Multi-cloud madness
• IT Pro Panel: The loneliness of the long-distance worker
• Google bans Zoom on employee laptops

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This automatically-generated transcript is taken from the IT Pro Podcast episode ‘Saying goodbye to software’. To listen to the full episode, click here. We apologise for any errors.

Adam Shepherd

Hi, I'm Adam Shepherd.

Jane McCallion

And I'm Jane McCallion.

Adam

And you're listening to the IT Pro Podcast, where this week, we have some sad news to share.

Jane

It's not really that sad.

Adam

Quite sad.

Jane

Well, it is a sad-happy news. The news being that this is my last podcast episode, not forever, but for the next year; I am about to go on maternity leave. So you will have to put up with Adam basically all the time without me to intervene.

Adam

That's right. For the next year, I'll be joined by a rotating cast of guest co hosts, many of whom regular listeners will have already heard on previous episodes. But don't worry, we'll still be bringing you all the same great content. And considering that we're saying goodbye to Jane, this week's topic is oddly fitting, we're looking at why people struggle to say goodbye to software.

Jane

We're joined today by staff writer Bobby Hellard, who will be discussing why people often find it so hard to give up their favourite applications and services, examining the impact this can have on business strategies, and how IT organisations can help their staff embrace change and move on with newer iterations. Bobby, thank you for joining us.

Bobby Hellard

Thank you for having me. Good luck on your maternity leave.

Adam

Yes, congratulations.

Jane

Probably gonna need it. But you know, sleep is for the weak, eating food at normal times is for the weak. I've done it once before, I'm got at least a small level of experience. So we'll see whether or not that actually has any impact on how how things turn out. But you know...

Adam

Well, let's dig in then to the topic at hand. Why do we have such trouble letting go of software? Now I'm sure we're all familiar with the feeling of having to get to grips with a new application, or even an update of an existing application that just instinctively inspires kind of almost hatred.

Jane

Yeah, for me, it's, it's not so much the applications themselves, although like a dramatic change, I normally find pretty aggravating. At least at the beginning, sometimes forever. But I think it's more sort of the actual update process itself. It really just annoys me, I don't have time for this kind of thing. I need, I need my updates to happen more quickly than they do. And end in something that I find useful, that still has all my favourite features, and no nonsense. And that is rarely, like really rarely, what happens, let's face it.

Adam

But you must have had that where an operating system or even just one of your favourite applications, has an update. And suddenly it looks completely different. The UI is completely different. The layout has changed. Everything is all over the place. And you just think, no. Why? Why have you done this?

Jane

The biggest sinners on this are Twitter and Facebook. Now I know that they're not business applications, but it's kind of like, we've got rid of this really useful thing that everybody used. And now we've got, what is it they've got now like, live voice chats. The last thing I want is people's Twitter voices in my brain. Twitter is bad enough to like, just speak your brains and be terrible. I don't want to hear people's like actual voices saying these terrible things.

Bobby

Is it worth mentioning the short lived fleets that didn't last that long?

Adam

I was just about to say, yeah, that is, I think, possibly the most botched feature I've ever seen implemented by a social media platform.

Jane

Yeah, we bought Vine. And then we tried to use it, and then we accidentally killed it. Soz.

Adam

Well, that wasn't even Vine.

Jane

Oh no, it was the self-destructing, It was like, Snapchat, wasn't it?

Adam

That was the stories. Yeah, it was like Twitter's ill-fated attempt at a kind of stories-type structure that just almost immediately failed.

Jane

I think we are making like very much our own point here. But like, Facebook has done it in the change in the timeline. So it's no longer chronological. I just find that kind of infuriating. So you're kind of commenting on stuff that came in like days ago, or you know, maybe seeing, yeah, seeing stuff that would have been relevant on Tuesday, but now it's Thursday. And you know, much kind of less so. And it's probably one of the reasons that I barely use Facebook anymore, actually, because it's just become less useful.

Adam

And I think that's a really telling example, because most people hate that that feature. And there is a, there is a reason why that exists, which we may get into later on. But most people really, really want the chronological timeline back on both Twitter and Facebook. If you polled social media users on the feature that they would most like to see implemented, I would bet you folding money that the majority would ask for a chronological timeline back.0

Jane

Which you can switch to on Twitter, to be fair.

Adam

Temporarily.

Jane

I've told it so many times, I want it chronological, that it stops trying to switch back to home.

Adam

Really? Interesting.

Jane

Yeah, just be persistent with Twitter. Facebook, it's just like, yeah.

Bobby

But isn't, isn't the reason for those changes, because they want to keep you on it for longer so they're, they're putting up the content that you think, that they think you're going to look at the most?

Adam

Exactly, it's all about kind of growth hacking and engagement hacking, they want to, they want to be able to kind of surface the stuff that's gonna keep you on platform for the longest. And you know, it also has the nice side effect of, you know, having brands and business pages, you can then pay money to boost how many of your followers actually see your posts. Whereas with a chronological timeline, it's just, you know, however many happened to come across it. But the salient point is, we all still use Facebook and Twitter, maybe not as much as we would do otherwise. But we're still on it. You know, we still haven't let go of that. And we still want that old experience back.

Bobby

I suppose it's worth looking at where this topic actually came from. And it's because we had a suggestion that we might not be able to use Slack anymore. And we all kind of had a little meltdown in the Slack channel.

Jane

No, please don't leave us!

Bobby

I believe the suggestion was it was going to be Google Chat is where we'd move it to.

Adam

That's right.

Bobby

I did go into Google Chat. And I thought I'd test it out. And I'd test out Keumars with some football chat, and it just didn't quite work as well. It just looked like an afterthought to my email, if that makes sense. And it just wasn't as easy to use, I felt like this is not gonna be any good.

Adam

Absolutely.

Bobby

But it turns out, we might still be using it anyway, Slack. Which, I suppose is what people just do, if their software is coming to an end, or they're going to change, they find a way to keep it.

Jane

Oh, shadow IT, shadow IT.

Adam

And that's the key point: users will find a way to, to do what they want out of software and get what they want out of software.

Jane

Much like dinosaurs and life, in fact.

Adam

Exactly. And we'll talk about that more shortly. Because there's some really interesting examples of that. But I think it's worth examining why we get so attached to software because, you know, on paper, software, particularly in a business context, software should just be a tool to do a job. You know, as long as something does the job, it shouldn't really matter what the layout is, or the UI is; we shouldn't really get as attached to software as we do. And yet people form these deep and lasting attachments to software that that really shouldn't be logical.

Jane

Yeah. Do you know what the classic example of this is? Is the Start menu.

Adam

Yes.

Jane

And like kind of how, how attached people are to that particular feature of Windows which, I don't even know how long it's been there, I think it's since like Windows 95.

Adam

Possibly longer than that.

Jane

Well yeah, I was gonna guess like Windows, like kind of, 95 is nearly 30 years ago now, so which is like, tragic.

Adam

God.

Jane

How to make the youngling feel old.

Adam

Yeah, there's a memento mori.

Jane

But that was one of the big reasons that Windows 8 uptake was just like...

Adam

People hated Windows 8.

Jane

I really liked it. I really liked it.

Adam

Yes, Jane, but you are on record as a Windows Mobile liker.

Jane

Yes.

Adam

And have thus been categorically proven to have zero taste.

Jane

I'm like a hipster, but of tech.

Adam

I bet you had a Zune and everything.

Jane

I don't even know what that means. But I think that kind of, you know, for me, the reason that I didn't hate Windows 8 and actually quite liked it and engaged with it as a touchscreen type thing and thought it was kind of cool is because I am typically a Mac user. And so the interface that I am very used to is different, you know, the Finder menu is kind of, and the Apple menu, is kind of a start bar, similar type thing, but it's not the same. And so for me, I'm like, Oh, well, this, this is fine, because it's like my phone. And it was the whole one Windows thing that was supposed to be across all devices. But regular Windows users, just like torches and pitchforks outside Redmond.

Bobby

Well, I feel... I don't know your opinions on this. But the basic look of it, Windows 8, was just visually horrible. I feel like they'd gone and found every single colour combination that didn't work and added it to it. It was just gross. And it's just difficult to use. Yeah, I can understand why people did go from that, or to 8.1 either as well.

Adam

Yeah, and that's a very interesting point you raised there, Bobby about it being difficult to use, because logically, it shouldn't have been difficult to use, because aside from the start menu change, which wasn't even really that much of a change, everything was in its usual places. It worked more or less in the same way, it just looked a bit different. Why is it that we find layout changes and UI tweaks so hard to deal with as kind of users?

Bobby

I suppose it's muscle memory, mainly, because you're used to using things in a certain way. And then it it just, it's all changed, and you have to get used to something new. It's like switching from Android to iOS, they're just completely different ways of operating. It can be frustrating if, I had the iPhone this week, which I had from, I changed straight from an Android phone and getting used to doing that to delete apps took forever, because I was looking for the little icons at the bottom all the time. It's just, it's frustrating in its own way.

Jane

Yeah. And I wonder if like kind of those small changes as well, because a mobile interface nowadays is, they're relatively similar. Android and iOS, you've got little icons, you tap on them, you open an app, blah, blah, blah. But it's just those tiny changes in usability, like you say, rather than interface, as such, that I think are frustrating.

Adam

And I think, particularly when it's software that we use all the time, every day, those kind of little tweaks and changes can really slow down workflows, because it is it is about familiarity, fundamentally. So kind of when it's a an operating system, whether that's smartphone or desktop, we're using it all the time. So the little frustrations of having to hunt around for a few seconds to find, you know, a context menu or whatever, really start to mount up. And also I think there's a psychological element. You know, humans are very good at forming attachments with things. And I think that happens with software as much as it does with you know, like a robot vacuum cleaner, or a cat.

Jane

A robot vacuum cleaner or a cat?! How attached are you to your vacuum?

Adam

Oh, are you kidding? Like people, I wish I had a robot vacuum cleaner. But people absolutely form very deep relationships with their robot vacuum cleaners, you know, they give them names, like, dress them up in little outfits.

Jane

I mean, admittedly, if I had one, the probably the first thing that I do is try and convince my cat to go around on it.

Bobby

Like a little hoverboard.

Adam

Yeah, exactly.

Jane

And I'd need a trip to A&E. But it's also, the other thing humans are really good at is pattern recognition and spotting patterns in things. And if your pattern recognition is slightly disrupted, then your brain isn't gonna, isn't gonna like it. A very instinctive, deep part of your brain is going to get cross.

Bobby

There is another argument with Windows 7. And it could be that it was just a fantastic operating system. Because even when it came to Windows 10, there were still people using Windows 7, as we constantly reported. I think it was like about 30% of users were still on Windows 7 by the end of 2019. And that was months away before it was going to be killed off.

Adam

Absolutely. And so we've, we've mentioned a couple already, but there are, there are some, some examples of software and operating systems and applications that users will just cling to fanatically, Windows is terrible/great for this, depending on how you want to look at it. Windows XP was massively popular. Vista, again, was hugely, hugely beloved. 7, as you mentioned, Bobby, very, very, very popular, very hard to convince people to migrate off of. And even, yeah, even as you say, the jump to Windows 10 was quite difficult for Microsoft to get going, to get rolling.

Jane

When I think as like a Mac user, because kind of moving from from macOS 9 to macOS 10 was structurally, and to an extent kind of visually, very, very... it was a huge jump. And the main controversy was the fact that macOS 10 is based on Unix, whereas 9 and previous was not. The interface wasn't a problem, though, because the kind of key parts of it remained. The way that the folders look, they look like little drop files, the positioning of the taskbar equivalent along the top, the fact that, you know, you went into the little Apple menu to do stuff, all those kinds of things remained the same. So I guess the critical stuff was never removed. So even when I kind of update from macOS 10.9 to 10.10 - I'm not sure if we're even there yet, or if that's a long time in the past - I just said, it looks snazzier. But fundamentally, it's the same. And the usability doesn't change at all. So we have an update, I might be like, Well, this looks a bit weird. But there's my little kind of pop up thing down the bottom, there's my taskbar at the top, and it has everything where I'm expecting to find it. Whereas I think Microsoft has repeatedly been like, what if we got this thing that everyone loves, and just like burn it to the ground, and tried again? And then repeatedly has to raise it from the ashes, or at least you know, the Start bar, or having things arranged on the left, not the centre.

Adam

And there's another company that is also quite bad for that in its own special way. And that is Google, which doesn't so much continually reinvent its products in the same way Microsoft does. But what it does do is frequently burn popular products to the ground, just take them out behind the woodshed, and [pop]. so Google Reader is, I think, possibly the most beloved piece of defunct software. That was hugely, hugely popular and hugely, hugely beloved, particularly among kind of tech nerds and Internet people. And it was basically just an RSS feed reader. And nothing particularly fancy and couldn't have been that onerous to support from Google's perspective, but nope, they just, they killed it one day, several years ago, and never bought back anything kind of remotely like it.

Bobby

Well, I suppose the easiest answer to that is it didn't make a profit. And unless it makes a profit, it's not really going to help that company or be useful to that company. And I guess they choose profit over user experience.

Jane

Or profit over popularity, I guess. And it kind of makes business sense. Even if it's a bit brutal to be like...

Adam

A bit ruthless.

Bobby

Although now, Google want to get rid of that reputation, don't they, of being killed by Google. We recently reported that.

Adam

The first step in that would be to stop killing things.

Jane

But it's something that Microsoft used to be accused of, and indeed guilty of, although it would be not so much, you know, kind of creating its own products, and then eating its own children as acquiring stuff, and then killing it off, basically, not even necessarily taking the features and absorbing them. Whereas Google is like we've invented this cool thing. Oh, you liked it? I have, I have some bad news.

Adam

So let's talk then about the impact that this phenomenon can have, this unwillingness that we all have to move on from our favourite pieces of software, particularly in a business context. You know, we've already discussed some of the challenges that companies like Microsoft had, getting people to upgrade to the latest versions of Windows, for example. And that applies to businesses as entities, as much as it does to individual consumers and users. So what kind of impacts can this this phenomenon have?

Bobby

Well, I suppose it can make it difficult for businesses if their staff are not upgrading; security issues, because they don't get the patches and so on. But I always keep thinking about the government and their use of WhatsApp. And they keep saying that they shouldn't use it, because it's self-deleting; they're deleting, deletable messages and whatnot. But it just kind of sounds like it's convenient. And that's the way they want to use it. And there's no other alternative that's as easy. So it's kind of that difficulty between giving your staff stuff that they use and want to use, that's convenient, and keeping your business secure, or keeping people within the guidelines.

Jane

Yeah, and then you've got, you've kind of slightly killed my cynical side on that.

Bobby

Sorry.

Jane

Which is kind of like with the use of WhatsApp. Oh, no, I accidentally dropped my phone into this industrial shredder. Whoops! But you're, you are also right, that kind of WhatsApp is more convenient for sending short messages than any email provider is, any business messaging system, including our beloved Slack. None of that is as convenient as WhatsApp - other messaging apps are available. And I think that you're probably right that, at least initially, there's an element of of that rather than hiding things away. But what I thought you were gonna say on public sector and the government, is actually how bad they are at upgrading to newer systems, like, notoriously bad. And sometimes there's a reason for it. Within the NHS, quite often it's to do with compatibility, you know, you can't go out and buy yourself a new MRI machine every time there's a new Windows comes out. Other parts of the public sector, it's probably time pressures.

Adam

Well, it's budgets and time.

Jane

Yeah, I was gonna say, time pressures and resourcing.

Bobby

It's good though, because some people that not switching to the latest software can rob them, like you just said, of the latest technology. And so like, I suppose a good example is Huawei. We quite like Huawei hardware, their cameras on their phones, and so forth. But without Google, we're not interested because we can't get our favourite apps and so forth. So we're losing out on these fantastic smartphones. Just because we can't watch Netflix or, or WhatsApp or whatever on their systems, because they haven't got Google. So there's that kind of weird trade off.

Adam

Yeah, and also, the kind of, the time that it takes to do a full, a full migration from one, one version of Windows to another. That was, in fact, one of the main reasons behind Windows 10 and the way it was designed, was making it easier for subsequent upgrades to take place. Because Windows, the Windows 7 to Windows 10 migration took a huge, huge amount of time, I think, there's still some public sector organisations that haven't finished that migration process yet. And a large part of why that is, is because it was just an absolute nightmare to do. And public sector organisations, you know, they don't have the time or the budget really to take away from their business as usual operations to actually get that done.

Jane

Yeah, and yeah, even very large enterprises. If you try to do a big bang migration, you're gonna have a problem. So chunking, say, departments or sub departments to do it. But I think also IT departments within organisations, they have other stuff to do. So it's kind of natural, in some ways that you're going to leave it until it's more or less the crunch point, you have to do this thing unless you want to leave yourself open to ransomware, and this, that and the other. I do think the Windows 10 idea was, was quite good. And, you know, the kind of incremental updates. It's a shame that the, in some ways that the last version of Windows turned out to not be the last version.

Adam

Quote-unquote...

Jane

Yeah, although Windows 11 is perhaps Windows 10 with a fancy dress on.

Adam

Yes, absolutely. But it's speaking of that kind of idea of a big bang migration, and kind of having to, having to do that when you get to the kind of crunch point, whether that's, you know, end of life for the particular version that you're on or, you know, another pressing concern. That causes huge, huge headaches for IT departments. So, should businesses with that in mind, make an effort to upgrade their software, as soon as it is realistically possible?

Bobby

I guess so. I mean, I suppose it depends on the system, doesn't it? I mean, because even the biggest companies have migration problems like, I think we're a couple of weeks after Facebook had a massive outage because of a migration issue or a configuration problem?

Adam

It was a configuration issue, yeah.

Bobby

Took them down for six, six hours, and that's one of the biggest companies in the world. So it just, I assume some people will fear that they're going to botch their system. But the likelihood is, eventually some software will be botched. And it's unavoidable. I guess, not always. But there will be occasions when you've, you've done this.

Adam

But is it, is it better than with that in mind to get it out of the way, sooner rather than later, when it's not absolutely critical that the migration happens, and you've got a bit of time? You know, if if something doesn't work, you've got a bit of time to roll the process back, have another look at it, you know, replan how you're going to manage it.

Jane

I think, you know, as I'm not an IT professional, as many people will have noticed, if this is coming as a shock to anyone, sorry. However, I do spend a fair amount of time speaking to IT professionals. And I think that the sensible thing to do, from what I've picked up and kind of from my point of view, is to start testing as early as possible. So you start that testing phase as soon as you possibly can to identify what are the bugs, what are the things are not going to work and to also then be able to get to a stage where you know, like, right, okay, this is now safe for deployment across the organisation. Because you never want to be an early adopter. Talking to two hardware nerds, I'm possibly speaking to a brick wall. But my personal feeling is you don't want to be an early adopter, you want to be the person who, after everybody else has checked that the water is safe, then you jump in. And especially if you're a business, but yeah, I think that testing phase and doing getting into that testing phase as soon as possible, is probably the most practical and smoothest way to, to do an upgrade, especially if it's something big, like operating systems.

Adam

Yeah, I think pilot programmes for this are absolutely critical. Making sure that you have a group within your organisation that has tested the software, has kind of played around with it for a bit, you've had a chance to identify any kind of compatibility issues or anything like that. That's, that's really critical. But having said that, even once you have done the rollout and started deploying these new tools, and these new pieces of software throughout your organisation, that doesn't necessarily mean you're out of the woods, because you still have the problem of users. As we mentioned at the top of the show, we as individuals, all have a tendency to stubbornly cling to our favourite tools and operating systems and all the rest of it. And that can mean that when businesses, for example, decide to migrate to a new collaboration platform, or a new suite of Office tools, or, you know, whatever it might be, you get these pockets within the organisation that go, No, I am just going to keep using the same thing that I've been using for the last three years. And it's served me perfectly well, and I'm just going to install it and use it kind of under my own steam, which can be a problem for many shadow IT related reasons that we've covered in previous episodes. How can organisations get round that, because obviously, you don't necessarily want that as a business.

Jane

I think there's a couple of ways. If it is something that has a subscription attached to it - for example, if you're moving from Microsoft 365 to G Suite, or vice versa - you can just pull the plug. Just, like, you can just stop it from working. And if there's anything that's kind of subscription based, you do that and there will be a lot of grumbling. But if you want to, like get on with your colleagues and talk to them and stuff, and indeed like clients or whoever, then you've got to move over to the new email system, document system, whatever. Because if you don't have a licence, then the plug is pulled. On the other hand for stuff that you don't have to pay for, that has a free tier of some description, say you had been using Dropbox, and now you've moved over to G Suite which has Google Drive. There are still free tiers of Dropbox. And it would be easy enough to kind of just start using that. And that side of it is much harder.

Bobby

The thing is that there is something that businesses can do, and it's probably not going to make them look that good, but they can just put their foot down, as I believe Google did with Zoom, initially, it banned all their staff from using it. So they can just be dictatorships and just go No. And then that's problem solved.

Adam

The thing with that, though, is that kind of stuff is very hard to track within a business. Because even if you banned people from using it, and indeed, even if you pull the plug on a corporate subscription, with something, you know, any SaaS-based tool, the whole beauty of them is you can just get up and running with a credit card, you know, you can take out a subscription just for you and, you and your team, if you really want to keep using it. And that's very, very hard to track on an enterprise level.

Jane

I dunno, I mean, if you really wanted to come down hard, and you have this, you care this much, and you have this much time to put in the effort, you could at a network level - which kind of only works if you're in the office - but at a network level, you can block certain domains. So Zoom, you could block, you can have user privileges that are very, very low, so they can't download any software onto their computer, without IT's say-so, IT has to remote in or go through being an admin and put anything on the computer. There are ways and means to do it. Working from home makes it slightly more more difficult. But like I say, it kind of depends how much how much effort you want to put in, really.

Adam

Personally, I think a better solution is just to, firstly, to give your staff comprehensive education and training about the new software or application, because chances are, it will do everything that your staff need it to do and everything that the previous version could do. It's just that staff aren't familiar with it. So there's this instinctive reaction of No, it's it's different and therefore wrong. So you know, education and training, get them familiar with it, show them where everything is and how everything works. And chances are, they will adapt, and they will, they will learn to love the new platform, whatever it is. But as part of that, listen to your staff, you know, if it genuinely isn't meeting their needs, and isn't doing things that whatever they were using before is doing, take that into consideration, you know, maybe you can supplement that with additional tools, or maybe it just, maybe it just isn't working. And it's worth going back to the the previous thing that you were using, you know, you have to be open to those possibilities.

Bobby

I suppose there will be some people in organise, in an organisation that are just not tech savvy, and they'll fear having to go through another learning curve with a whole new system. And they'll just be like, I don't want to do this. But yeah.

Jane

Yeah, and I think kind of making sure that when you pull the plug on one thing that you are providing an alternative, like a viable alternative for whatever the thing is, you need to give your staff something else to work with and be like, Okay, well, we're not using X anymore, but we're using Y and it fulfils the same kind of function, even if it is not the same piece of software, here's how we use it and possibly even have a gradual migration, kind of like, you've got a month to get used to this new software before we turn off the other one. This is what change management is for, as well.

Adam

Yeah. Absolutely.

Jane

And kind of looking into change management, rather than being like, well, we've taken all your favourite stuff. It's in the bin now, here's some stuff you don't like. Or, just here's some stuff that you are unfamiliar with, which humans do not like. Yeah, some kind of change management programme. You don't need to bring in a consultant, but like, or not necessarily. But, you know, just do it a humane way, I guess is what I'm saying.

Adam

Yeah, exactly. Never, never underestimate the value of kind of hand-holding your users through changes and updates and making sure that they're as familiar as possible with something rather than just dropping a new thing on them and going there you go, figure that out. Bye. Because especially in business, you know, users resent disruptions to their workflow, and resent having to take the time away from what they should be doing to concentrate on learning an entirely new thing.

Jane

Yeah, absolutely.

Adam

I think that's where the main grinding of gears comes from.

Bobby

I suppose something that's really good about software, particularly Slack, is that there's very little learning is needed with it. It's it's quite easy and quite straightforward to use. So if people can just bring in that kind of stuff, it's just easier for everybody. But of course not every operating system is so easy.

Adam

Yeah, there's certainly some software that is more intuitive than others. Looking at you macOS...

Jane

What?! No! Fight me. Fight me. I may not be in the state currently to have a fight, but fight me. macOS for life. Well, I'm afraid that's all from us this week, and indeed, in my case, this year.

Adam

I hope you'll all join us in wishing Jane well during her time off, and we look forward to welcoming her back to the show next year.

Jane

And thanks again to Bobby for joining us, you can expect to hear more from him over the coming 12 months.

Adam

As for me, I'll be back next week bringing you more expert analysis from the world of IT and you can follow us on all the usual social platforms for more. Until then, though, goodbye.

Jane

Bye.

Microsoft has shifted its Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 and is previewing it now.

This is the same version of WSL that was available for prior versions of Windows, explained Microsoft, but the operating system (OS) has traditionally included it only as an optional component during installation. Installing it separately from the store decouples it from the Windows update cycle, meaning you don't have to wait to update your OS to get the latest WSL version.

The company is working on WSL features that users can get immediately on release without installing Windows Insider preview builds.

The preview has some of these new features, including Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI (WSLg), which allows users to run Linux GUI applications under the X11 and Wayland windowing systems. It also has new options for mounting hard drives formatted under Linux into the WSL, detecting the file system, and optionally naming mount points.

The company has also included support for GPU computation within the Linux subsystem, which it says opens up opportunities for machine learning (ML) development. It now also runs on version 5.19.60.1 of the Linux kernel.

To use WSL, Windows 11 users must have build 22000 or higher and the optional Virtual Machine Platform component enabled.

"Our goals are to make WSL in the Microsoft Store the best way to install and use WSL, as you’ll be able to get the latest updates fastest through that route, and in the long term we’d like to move WSL users to use the store version," the company said. "However, in Windows 11 we are still supporting the inbox version of WSL as we keep developing WSL in the store."

Keeping the inbox version enables WSL version 1 users to keep using the store version. They must enable WSL as an optional component in Windows because the drivers for that version of the Linux subsystem are closely tied to the Windows operating system.

Microsoft has released a tool to assist users that are struggling to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

Microsoft unveiled Windows 11 last week, but early adopters were quick to complain that a bug prevented them from upgrading without an explanation. According to these users, PC Health Check would only display a message that stated, “this PC can’t run Windows 11,” with no further information on how to rectify the issue.

Microsoft has now updated the PC Health Check app so it should be able to spell out exactly why a Windows 10 device can’t update to Windows 11, according to DigitalTrends.

With the completed update, PC Health Check should alert users to installation problems, such as insufficient disk space, an unsupported processor, or the lack of a TPM 2.0 chip. Microsoft requires these elements to run Windows 11, a decision that’s been the subject of controversy.

The full list of Windows 11 requirements is available on the operating system’s hardware requirements page, but the basic requirements include 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage; a compatible 64-bit processor (Intel 8th generation or newer, or AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer); and a TPM 2.0 chip or a graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.

If your system doesn’t meet these requirements, your PC must remain on Windows 10. Microsoft intends to support Windows 10 until October 14, 2025.

Windows 11 ships later this year, and Microsoft promises a slew of features targeting hybrid workers and developers.

The new operating system will feature support for Android apps purchased from Amazon's app store. The company also revamped the Microsoft Store, allowing developers to use third-party payment systems when charging for apps. This lets developers keep 100% of the revenue.

Windows 11 will also feature some user interface (UI) changes that will allow users to arrange their application windows into preconfigured layouts.

Okay, I confess: Just this morning, I moved my final Windows 7 installation to Windows 10. Yes, I know, this article should be called Jon is a Bad Boy, and I should have done this years ago. My only excuse, if there is one, is that this is Windows 7 in a virtual machine, it’s only fired up once a month for about five minutes and it runs a specific piece of software.

I guess I should give some back story: In our lab, we have a full door control access system. This means that there’s a door tag reader on both sides of every door. You need to use an RFID token to open the door and the doors close automatically. While this is somewhat overkill in our small company, it’s what corporate and government visitors expect to see. On the outside of the front door is a PIN pad and each member of staff has their own PIN number to gain access, along with the appropriate security keys and alarm fobs.

The door controllers are embedded deep in the bowels of the lab. In simple terms, each door controller maintains a list of door tag RFID codes, along with the times and dates when they’re valid for that door. These controllers trundle along by themselves and don’t need oversight. The only time you need to talk to the door controllers is if you want to reprogramme them – add a member of staff, issue a new token, change someone’s working hours or access times.

This is done with a piece of software called Net2 from Paxton, a company well known in this space. Net2 consists of an old-fashioned-looking Windows application and a database engine for the back-end. This polls the door controllers and picks up all the movements, door entries and so forth. It’s all very clever: if you have a reception desk in your organisation then this can create a door tag for the day for a visitor, and assign them access to the doors they need.

In that example, you’d need the software running all the time, but in our case we only need to fire Net2 up when we make changes. I originally installed it many years ago into a Windows 7 VM, and every year or so I call up our alarm system company to get a download of the latest version of the software, to which I upgrade. Like much of the professional services software market, we can only access the mothership by going through our reseller.

To be honest, I just left sleeping dogs lie. It worked, I used it for a few minutes every month to download the logs and to check the system was still happy. At least it would be obvious if the doors didn’t work, so there wasn’t much scope for things going wrong. The door controllers themselves hold data for many weeks, so I wasn’t losing information by doing this.

This morning, I decided that I really had to do something about it. I fired up the Windows 10 media creation tool from the Microsoft site, told it to upgrade, keeping the existing software and accounts in place, and then sat back. I’d like to say it was a seamless process, but the Windows installer got a little upset about the apparent desktop size in the Parallels virtual machine. Still, after about 15 minutes of installation, updating and other fiddling, I was up and running.

The beauty of using a VM for this was that I could take an entire snapshot and copy before starting, in the unlikely event that the Net2 installation exploded on finding itself on Windows 10. It’s listed on its site as being supported, so I wasn’t expecting issues. But having a VM that you can copy is just so much more convenient than having a Windows installation running on a real computer, where recovery would be a major pain.

The downside of a virtual machine hosting an old OS and app that you rarely use is that it isn’t there looking at you with a withering glance every time you walk past the computer. Out of sight, out of mind, out of upgrade, for month after month. It’s so easy just to fire up what you need, decide that time is short and you’ll deal with it next time.

However, I’m happy to report that all Windows 7 has been expunged, except for a few VMs that I keep for test purposes. All I can do is ask for your forgiveness.

This year, ‘out of office’ has taken on a whole new meaning. With many major companies reporting that they won’t ask staff to return to the office until 2021, and others planning to keep a percentage of the workforce working remotely permanently, it’s clear that we won’t be returning to the working world we left behind in March anytime soon. Not only does it make business sense for some organisations to embrace remote working, but many employees have also become used to it and will expect flexibility going forward.

So, how can organisations navigate the transition to a world of work that incorporates both onsite and remote working, and develop business practices that boost collaboration, productivity and innovation? Just as technology has made wide scale remote working possible, technology is going to be the key to a new, more flexible world of work.

Is there a future for the office?

According to research by the Adecco Group, 74% of UK employees want a mix of office-based and remote working going forward. It’s a clear indication that, while remote working has its benefits, most people don’t want to see the end of the office altogether.

The events of 2020 have certainly proved that remote working is a viable option for many people and organisations, but not all remote working setups are created equal. From patchy Wi-Fi to screaming kids to a longing for face-to-face interactions, many people find it more difficult to stay productive and collaborate with colleagues when working from home full time. Of course, a switch to a more hybrid, flexible model will mean major changes for the office setup. Organisations will have to consider whether they need so much expensive city real estate, and how they manage staff rotas and access to the right onsite technology.

Agility within the office will also be crucial. It will be tricky for organisations to enable employees to work from different locations on different schedules if everyone has an assigned desk. Providing steps can be taken to ensure staff safety, a better solution might be a hot-desking arrangement with flexible workstations where staff can connect their devices. Unifying your IT estate behind one OS and ensuring all of your hardware and software is compatible will make this possible. For example, with HP’s EliteDisplay Docking Monitors, you can simply plug in your HP EliteBook laptop and instantly start using all of your applications on a second screen. Similarly, using cloud-based file platforms such as OneDrive means that staff are not tied to one location or device.

Working on the move

If you want to give your employees the opportunity to work flexibly from different locations outside of the office, you need to equip them with easily portable devices that don’t compromise on performance.

The HP Elitebook range makes portability and flexibility a priority. With a choice of form factor – either a traditional laptop-style or a 360 degrees convertible design – you can equip your employees with exactly what they need for the job. Those who spend the majority of their time working at their desk may benefit from a traditional laptop, whereas the convertible design, which can fold into a highly portable tablet, might benefit those working and presenting on the move. HP’s Elitebooks are also incredibly lightweight and come with a long battery life. For busy professionals who may be hopping from the office to a train, to a coffee shop meeting, not having to worry about the availability of plug sockets is a real plus.

As for performance, the HP Elitebook range means you don’t have to compromise. The Elitebook 800 series comes with an optional 8th Gen quad-core Intel® Core™ CPU which can handle demanding business applications. Meanwhile, the Elitebook 805 series uses the powerful and battery efficient AMD Ryzen™ PRO processor.

Keeping everyone working well together

One of the big challenges for organisations going forward will be enabling employees to work well together and feel like a team when they have different schedules and working arrangements.

Cloud-based collaboration tools have enabled many organisations to continue business as usual over the past few months, and will remain a crucial part of working life for many organisations going forward. Email is quickly being replaced, or at least challenged for its position at the top of the work communication pyramid, by more versatile collaboration apps. Microsoft Teams, for example, is a user-friendly cloud-based platform which allows colleagues to easily communicate and share files wherever they are. Rather than having multiple email chains and attachments, everything for one project can be kept together in a Teams channel. Colleagues can also have private conversations in direct messages or use the video conferencing function to catch up and hold meetings.

This ease of communication through technology is absolutely essential if organisations are going to continue to work in different locations long term. If your organisation embraces flexible onsite and offsite working arrangements, then the reality is that there will always be someone in the team who’s not physically in the office. Easy chat functions, file sharing and video conferencing mean that workflows aren’t disrupted by the lack of face-to-face contact, and colleagues who aren’t there in person can feel just as much part of the team.

Crucially, you’ll also need to provide your staff with devices that can keep up with the latest software. If your employees are stuck on machines with poor audio or grainy webcams, they may feel disconnected from the team and unable to communicate effectively. HP’s EliteBooks make communication easy with HD webcams, high-quality Bang & Olufsen speaker systems and multi-array microphones with background noise cancellation.

Designed with video conferencing in mind, the EliteOne 1000 All-in-One PC is a great option for the office. With immersive video and audio engagement, integrated collaboration keys which can launch video calls quickly, and a built-in pop-up privacy camera, it means you can have virtual meetings with remote colleagues that are just as effective as those in person.

Staying secure

A decentralised, agile workforce can be a real challenge to secure. In the last five years, cybercrime in the UK has doubled, costing businesses £87 billion since 2015, and cybercriminals have been particularly quick to take advantage of the disruption of recent months.

The combination of keeping visibility of increasingly complex IT estates and the lack of centralised, firewalled network can make security a challenge. To help keep on top of everything, you should ideally only allow employees to use company-issued devices, and ensure that those devices have the latest in security hardware and software.

Many newer devices, such as HP’s Elite range, come with biometric recognition abilities, meaning you can take advantage of systems such as Windows Hello's secure login. In a world where your employees may be taking their devices all over the country and working in public spaces, this endpoint security feature can make a huge difference. Similarly, many newer devices have built-in security features which complement OS security. For example, with HP EliteBook laptops on Windows 10, you can take advantage of the combination of the Trusted Platform Module and BitLocker, offering highly secure encryption.

As ever, ensuring top-notch security is as much about education as having the right tools. From the dangers of shoulder surfing in public workspaces to the security risks of home networks, make sure you update your security policies and training to inform your staff about the different security concerns when working outside the office.

With the right technology, there’s no reason that an organisation in 2020 can’t choose a bespoke hybrid office and remote setup that works for them and their staff.

Discover more about HP Elite PCs

The recent shift to mass remote working has meant that many people have had to find new ways of going about their workdays – and businesses have had to shift in order to offer workers the right hardware, systems and support to allow them to operate effectively, efficiently and happily under radically different circumstances.

A powerful tool in the remote working arsenal is Windows 10. Microsoft’s OS is constantly updating, with many features to help your workforce adapt to the remote-working shift, from security and remote-access functionality to collaboration tools that will help your staff stay connected.

Security ensured

2020 has seen a reported increase in cyber attacks, with Barracuda reporting that 46% of businesses have experienced at least one cybersecurity scare since shifting to a remote-working model. The quick transition to a geographically scattered workforce can leave your systems more vulnerable to cyber crime, but fortunately, security is baked into Windows 10, making the OS a strong line of defence against these growing threats.

The fully integrated security suite, Windows Defender, serves as both an antivirus system and firewall, protecting your workforce from common (but no less dangerous) threats like malware and ransomware, and creating a safe browsing environment for your staff.

With phishing attacks on the rise, trying to take advantage of the shift in global working practices, the cloud-based tool Microsoft SmartScreen is more valuable than ever. Operating through Outlook and your workers’ web browsers, it defends against phishing and malware attacks by comparing websites and emails against Microsoft’s blacklist and flagging anything suspicious, helping your staff to avoid slip-ups that could compromise your organisation’s network or data.

Another issue of remote working is that an employee cannot simply pay a quick visit to your IT department if they suffer more serious problems. Windows 10 has the benefit of protecting against major catastrophes that could cost workers hours or even days like ransomware infiltration with its Secure Boot Mode. This safeguards against attacks that target the UEFI, and can be further enhanced by investing in HP's EliteBook range of business laptops. These come equipped with Sure Start Gen4 self-healing BIOS, which can prevent devices from becoming inoperable by detecting changes to the BIOS and installing a clean, safe BIOS before any malware is able to execute.

The enforced distance from IT support can also be mitigated by Windows 10’s Remote Desktop feature, which allows for secure remote access to other Windows 10 devices. IT departments can use this access to ensure that the computers are properly configured and fully updated to protect against cyber threats, as well as troubleshooting any other issues from afar. Remote Desktop can also help retrieve any required files from otherwise inaccessible devices.

Security threats of a more benign form can also come from closer to home. Family members – especially younger children – might find devices too much to resist when sat unattended in the study or on the kitchen table. The secure login system Windows Hello supports fingerprint, facial recognition and PIN, so workers can lock their devices safely and prevent any misadventure caused by careless web browsing or the indiscriminate mashing of keyboards.

Boosting productivity

With your remote workforce secure, the other pressing issue is creating an environment in which they can keep productive and develop new collaborative systems to compensate for the lack of formal meetings, chance encounters and casual cross-desk conversations.

The Microsoft 365 package offers a suite of invaluable applications that will help boost productivity and collaboration in your remote-working model – and, as you would expect, fully integrate with Windows 10.

A key feature of Microsoft 365 for homeworkers is the cloud-based collaboration app Microsoft Teams, which allows colleagues to communicate with each other, share files and links and maintain organised workflows. Text conversations can be held privately or in various channels, which can be assigned to different departments, projects or other business functions as necessary, while preserving a clear record of communications for later reference. Teams also supports video conferencing, ideal for both meetings or informal chats (preferably with a cup of tea in hand) when written communication isn’t enough.

The classic Microsoft apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint have also been enhanced by the cloud, allowing workers to collaborate on shared documents where they can pool ideas, refine communications or check over a colleague’s work, helping to reduce the distance between workers in a virtual if not physical sense. For larger files, Microsoft 365 facilitates sharing through the cloud-storage service OneDrive.

Windows 10 also includes some very useful tools to help your staff organise and focus on their work in the sometimes-distracting home environment. Focus Assist can temporarily prevent notifications from interrupting workers when they are trying to concentrate. The handy, versatile Microsoft To Do app can be downloaded for free, and offers exhaustive functionality to help your staff organise their workloads – as well as sharing to-do lists with other colleagues. And things as simple as Windows 10’s virtual desktops can also improve organisation and clarity by separating different workloads onto different desktops. These tools, which are useful in all working environments, are particularly valuable while we try to get our heads around these new, sometimes disruptive home working paradigms.

Not everyone has a home-office setup, so laptops and other portable devices have proven vital tools to allow the switch to home working. The most up-to-date computers like those in HP’s EliteBook range will offer full, seamless integration with Windows 10, allowing organisations to take complete advantage of the tools and functionality that make the OS the perfect partner when it comes to working from home.

Discover more about HP Elite PCs

Enterprise laptops have become a crucial tool for business, and with the widespread remote working of recent months and flexible working set to become part of the “new normal”, the demand for high-quality enterprise laptops is only set to rise. With so many people using their laptops as their main work device it’s vital you carefully consider the performance capabilities, design and durability of the machine when you’re selecting the model, especially for remote workers, who don’t have such easy access to IT support.

One particularly well-equipped offering is HP’s award-winning Elite Dragonfly, which combines the aesthetics of a personal laptop with the capabilities of a business device. With the Dragonfly, which runs on Windows 10, HP has really pushed the boat out in terms of design, performance, functionality and portability. Here’s a look at the features baked into HP’s “lighter than air” machine.

Sleek design and top performance

As a business laptop, the Dragonfly stands out from the crowd. Unlike the standard black and grey hues of many business laptops, the Dragonfly has an eye-catching iridescent blue finish, just like a dragonfly. It also combines aesthetics and practicality with a durable magnesium chassis and a high screen to body ratio.

It's not all about aesthetics, though. For such a thin and light machine, the Dragonfly boasts impressive components. It’s equipped with 8th-gen Intel core processors, up to 16GB RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage.

Plus, it has some great sustainability credentials. The HP Elite Dragonfly is the world’s first laptop to contain ocean-bound plastic (collected before it ends up in the ocean). Its speaker enclosure component is 50% recycled plastic, including five% ocean-bound plastics, and the HP Quiet Keyboard also contains recycled plastic. To top it all off, that striking shimmery blue paint is water-based rather than oil-based – another green tick.

Stellar security

Like other Elite models, the Dragonfly is packed with HP’s cutting edge security features. With phishing scams, malware and other cyber threats on the rise, and remote workers more of a challenge to protect than those onsite, having a strong security suite couldn’t be more important right now.

HP Sure Sense uses deep learning AI to identify and quarantine new attacks, and HP Sure Start Gen 5 equips you with a self-healing BIOS, automatically detecting, stopping, and recovering from an attack. HP Sure Run Gen 2 keeps critical security protections like antivirus up and running in the event of a security breach, and HP Sure Click provides hardware-enforced protection from malware by isolating applications in virtual containers, trapping and deleting anything malicious before it can infect your machine.

If you’re still concerned about being spied on, HP Privacy Camera gives you the option to close the shutter on the built-in camera, and HP Sure View Gen 3 provides a privacy screen to protect sensitive information from visual hackers. And, with HP Multi-Factor Authentication, built-in facial and fingerprint sensors means that only you or another authorised person can get into your machine – no danger of the kids getting in and messing around with important work documents!

Built for agility and collaboration

It goes without saying that in the current climate, the portability of enterprise laptops is paramount. The Dragonfly is among the world’s lightest compact business convertibles, starting at under 1kg. It’s also kitted out with plenty of ports, making it easy to connect other devices – from phones to second screens. Meanwhile, you can opt for gigabit-class 4G LTE to stay connected almost anywhere.

For professionals working on the move or battling over limited plug sockets at home, battery life is a big issue. The HP Dragonfly not only promises a long battery life, it also includes a Fast Charge feature, which can bump the battery up to 50% in 30 minutes. If you’re willing to carry around a little extra weight, you can opt for a model with a “performance” battery which aims to power your device for just over 24 hours.

The screen is also designed to handle tricky environments, with the optional 1000-nit ultrabright display helping to combat sunny spots and bright lights. If you’re presenting content with audio, or just listening to music to drown out ambient noise in a shared workspace, the Bang & Olufsen audio has you covered. Remote communication is also well catered for, thanks to clever ambient noise-cancelling microphone technology, to help your colleagues hear you even in relatively loud environments.

From reading through documents to taking notes in meetings, there are plenty of moments at work where a tablet would be preferable to a laptop, but kitting out employees with more than one device can be expensive and complicated. HP offers a solution with the 2-in-1 models in the Elite range, including the Dragonfly. The 360-degree screen is fully convertible, so it can be laid back flat like a tablet or stood up in “tent mode” for presentations. Plus, the screen is touch-enabled and supports the HP Rechargeable Active Pen G3, so that the user can write on the screen just like a notepad.

With a beautiful design, solid performance credentials and top-notch security, the Dragonfly provides the kind of style, quality and portability that your workforce demands.

Discover more about the HP Elite Dragonfly

It's no secret that broad strides forward in technology have been key to the development of modern agile-working culture. Desktop computers demanded that workers stick to their allotted desks, and even clunky, old-school laptops weren't convenient or widely available enough to permit employees to pick up and settle wherever they liked in an office building or beyond.

Cheaper, more efficient mobile devices enabled the agile revolution, where workers could be equipped to hotdesk, work remotely or even on-the-go, and pack up and move at a moment's notice – and the events of 2020 have accelerated remote-working practices at a greater rate than could have been anticipated. But having a laptop and an internet connection isn't enough for effective agile working – you need to supply your staff with the correct tools for the job. With support ending for Windows 7, moving to Windows 10 Pro shouldn’t just be seen as an OS necessity, but also the catalyst to upgrade your hardware and optimise your dispersed workplace.

Representing a modern business

The prevalence of quality laptops in the modern workplace created an expectation among employees, and the 2020 lockdown crystalised this into a necessity. When someone starts a new job, they are likely to assume they will be given a reliable, up-to-date machine to work from, and to a certain extent, your business' desirability to a potential hire may hinge on the hardware you have on offer and its ability to enable agile working. Running a fleet of the cheapest possible PCs isn't going to make your organisation a tempting prospect to new talent.

Agile working opens another related issue that you might not have considered. Once restrictions begin to ease, we will again begin to see the visibility of your workforce increasing. Laptops will be taken to external meetings, and your employees may even choose to spend the day working off-site with clients in order to build stronger ties. It's not only your workers that will be more visible, but the hardware that they carry with them.

When it comes to agile working, your mobile devices represent your company too, and to project a professional image you need to keep them up-to-date. That dented laptop from five years ago just won't do if you're trying to impress a client.

Efficiency and security

It's not all about keeping up appearances. A decentralised, mobile workforce opens up new security risks, whether through lost devices or stolen data. A laptop in a cafe or private residence is much easier to swipe than a desktop computer in a secure office building, and you need to be prepared for the worst.

Windows 10 Pro offers a host of new security features that will mitigate these risks with features like Find My Device and BitLocker dynamic encryption. But to get the most out of these features, you need not just the updated OS but new laptops – like the HP Elite Dragonfly or HP EliteBook x360 – which include the hardware to maximise those safety features. For instance, these newer models like HP’s 800, 830 and 1000 Series come equipped with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) that, coupled with BitLocker, will make your hard drives functionally impossible to decrypt. HP's Elite range also includes biometric sensors that use fingerprint or facial recognition to enable Windows Hello's secure login system.

When it comes to performance, the Elitebook range packs in the latest Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, giving you four cores running at speeds of up to 4.2Ghz, with up to 32GB of RAM and dedicated NVIDIA GPUs on some of the most performance-focused models. This is more than enough to crunch through demanding business applications and daily work tasks. The Elitebook 800 and 805 G7 series, meanwhile, use the powerful and battery efficient AMD Ryzen PRO processor. The 805 series is billed by HP as “the world's thinnest and lightest AMD-based mainstream business notebooks”.

The reliability of your hardware becomes even more key when you factor in agile and remote working. It goes without saying that an old laptop with a tendency to crash when its user is calling in to an important meeting is a liability. Newer devices are more likely to be compatible with any apps your business uses, and will run faster, cutting down on any time wasted waiting for the computer to catch up and sparing you from the egg timer/pinwheel icon – never mind the dreaded blue screen. With many workers no longer based in an office with easy access to their IT department, serious tech issues have become even more inconvenient and disruptive.

Battery life is another basic issue that can become a major agile working roadblock. Old devices whose batteries run down in a matter of minutes – or don't retain any charge at all – need to be replaced, because your workforce's mobility will be seriously limited if they can't stray more than a few metres from a plug socket without their laptops dying. Each generation of laptops also delivers lighter, sleeker machines – the newest models are now genuinely portable and won't leave your workforce with incipient back problems from carrying them around.

Fortunately, upgrading your hardware doesn't have to be the enormous expenditure that it once was. Managed service providers (MSPs) and the ever-increasing 'as a service' options available – such as such as HP Device as a Service – can provide your business with the latest equipment, shifting high capital expenditure into more manageable operating expenditure – as well as bringing in outside expertise to assist with your shift to an agile working culture and take some of the pressure off your IT department. And for your business printing device needs, there’s also Managed Print Services (MPS), with a modular approach that can be tailored to your company’s specific requirements wherever and however your workforce is operating.

In 2020, with the uptake in remote working forcing swift changes in the workplace, the need for a modern management approach to your IT estate is required. Recent research from Microsoft revealed that nine out of 10 workers want the latest technology solutions to enable them to do their jobs. Upgrading to the latest devices, like those on offer from HP Services, gives workers the opportunity to collaborate in real-time, have always-on access to files, stay secure, and work from wherever they might be located. All of this comes as an out-of-the-box solutio – and device rollout needn’t be a headache, either.

You can shift to remote management without changing your existing IT infrastructure, thanks to features that simplify device deployment, personalisation and sign-up. Windows Autopilot, for example, can customise images and pre-configure new devices – the only thing required from the end user is to connect to the company network and verify credentials then set-up will be automated.

By adopting these services, it demonstrates to those nine out of 10 employees that yours is a modern, technologically forward-thinking and desirable business to work for – and one that is properly equipped to confront disruption to the degree we’ve seen in 2020.

Discover more about the agile-ready HP devices equipped with Windows 10

We have seen a recent dramatic shift in the way we work. With entire companies working from home and uncertain times ahead, flexibility is now more important than ever – companies need agile, adaptable tools and equipment and the ability to evolve and develop their IT estate in step with changes in the business world. As a result, many companies are rethinking their devices – the current circumstances have certainly highlighted which equipment is up to the job and which is not. According to HP’s recent report, 92% of IT decision-makers are changing the types of computers they are buying.

From an increased need for portable devices to security concerns, there are many reasons for this. For example, HP’s report found that 56% of IT decision-makers will buy a higher proportion of portable computers vs. desktops and 35% of IT decision-makers plan to buy devices with security built into the BIOS when they upgrade their hardware.

But, in difficult economic times, many organisations won’t have the CapEx budget they need for this hardware refresh. Device as a device (DaaS) eliminates that up-front cost and brings many other advantages for over-stretched IT departments. And its appeal isn't confined to companies facing a big migration either, DaaS could be the way most businesses buy hardware in the future.

What is DaaS?

In much the same way we've grown used to buying software as a service paying a monthly fee instead of an upfront lump sum it's now possible to do the same for hardware. Many companies will already lease hardware from a supplier, but DaaS is more than a fancy new name for leasing.

Depending on the supplier and the package you choose, DaaS can also include extras such as inventory monitoring, network analytics, security and compliance reporting, remote device wiping and software patch management. It's a complete hardware management package, not just the hardware itself.

What are the advantages of DaaS?

The chief advantage for businesses is financial. With immense disruption to normal working life, now is a crucial time for many organisations to refresh – but as the business world struggles to get back in action, budgets may be tight.

Even in more stable times, a full refresh is a CapEx headache, with companies not only forced to find the money for the hardware investment but also to account for the depreciation of that hardware from the moment it arrives on employees' desks. In the past, companies may have ended up tying themselves to expensive finance packages to afford such refreshes. And now, with many companies in a precarious position, many organisations might be tempted to put off or cancel their refreshes altogether, leaving them struggling to keep up with competitors with outdated hardware.

DaaS crucially shifts the cost from the CapEx to the OpEx column on the financial controller's spreadsheet. A big migration doesn't require a huge up-front outlay, but is instead spread over the duration of the contract. For a company that has hundreds or even thousands of devices to migrate, that can be the difference between getting the green light or not.

It's not only companies who are facing big migrations that could benefit from DaaS. Startup companies don't need to burn through valuable seed capital by ploughing up-front investment into hardware they can pay for what they need, with the flexibility to scale quickly when required.

DaaS also demolishes the problem of dealing with end-of-life hardware. The onus and cost of securely disposing of that hardware falls on the supplier, not your IT department. Meanwhile, all the hardware in the business is kept fresh, with no risk of devices falling behind the requirements of the latest operating systems or business-critical applications.

The DaaS difference

What sets DaaS apart from a traditional leasing plan or finance package is all the extras that come with it. It's a complete management platform for your Windows hardware, not just an alternative financing deal.

Firstly, a good DaaS provider should be able to support a range of devices so that you can tailor allocated hardware to your employees' specific needs. For example, HP's DaaS offering allows you to choose a device mix that suits your business, with a wide selection of commercial notebooks, desktops, mobile and specialised devices. (While we're on this topic, don't confuse 'device as a service' with 'desktop as a service', which are two different things – the latter being the provision of virtual desktops to your hardware.)

The DaaS provider should not only lift the burden of procurement off your IT department's shoulders but ongoing management, too. Next-day breakdown replacements, accidental damage protection and even data recovery are services that are offered by DaaS providers, ensuring business isn't massively disrupted if supplied hardware fails.

Some of the more tedious, time-consuming IT management jobs should also be handled by your DaaS provider, such as hardware and software inventory management and compliance reports. For example, HP’s Proactive Management with TechPulse provides insight reports with analytics on planning, cost optimisation and service management capabilities for all devices using the service. These are divided into four different categories – hardware, security, software and incidents.

Your DaaS provider may even be able to help with remote assistance and password recovery, meaning your IT team isn't bogged down with calls to its own helpline. You should also be able to configure custom images that are deployed across your company, in much the same way you might if you were managing your own hardware deployment.

This allows your IT department to break free from the day-to-day drudge work and focus on what they should be doing: working out how best to boost your business with technology. With DaaS, IT becomes less of a service department and more the strategic planning department it arguably always should have been.

Then there are the security benefits of moving to DaaS. Many providers will offer fleet management services, allowing you to locate and remotely lock missing devices. If a laptop is reported stolen, your DaaS provider's dashboard may allow you to sound an alarm on the device or remotely wipe any sensitive data stored on it, ensuring all the thieves get their hands on is the device itself. And it’s not just the dangers of physically losing your devices that DaaS providers protect against, many now offer top security against the ever-evolving and growing risk of cybercrime. HP Proactive Security provides endpoint security with isolation technology, security and threat analytics, and expertise to help organisations ensure their security is as strong as it can be.

The final benefit is related to the problem that may drive many companies to consider DaaS in the first place: keeping everything up to date. DaaS providers will not only replace hardware when it reaches end of life, but keep the software running on those devices up-to-date too. DaaS providers can look after Windows patch management, ensuring that devices aren't exposed to security flaws or missing new features. Some DaaS providers will also keep third-party software updated, meaning your critical business applications don't fall several versions behind the current update.

You might consider DaaS to make a hardware refresh more affordable in the short-term, but the long-term cost and business benefits that DaaS offers could have a much greater impact on your business.

Learn more about HP DaaS

Windows 10 has had four years to establish itself as the leading OS for business and thanks to regular updates and feature releases, it keeps on getting better. What started as a rock-solid evolution of Windows, mixing the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8, has become an incredibly powerful, flexible and forward-looking OS, with a raft of enhancements that have made it an even more powerful business tool with more to come.

Yet while you can enjoy the benefits even on existing hardware, Windows 10 really opens up with new computers and devices that can leverage its most advanced features. Arguably, without this new hardware you're not seeing the best of Windows 10.

In some respects, this reflects how Windows 10 has been built for the way we use PCs today. We've moved away from the era of the monolithic desktop PC to one where mobile computing is the mainstream, empowering users to work effectively away from the office, go face to face with clients and work flexibly from home. Windows 10 has embraced these mobile styles of working with new features and new forms of interaction, whether that means touch control and the pen-based approach of Windows Ink or voice control through Cortana.

More power for a new experience

Yet you're going to struggle to get the best performance out of Windows 10 with yesterday's hardware. With its enhanced virtual desktop features and task-centric views, Windows 10 is brilliant for power users who need to move seamlessly between applications, but older PCs might not have the power to keep up. Windows 10 is also a powerful OS for creative work, but without modern quad-core, six-core and eight-core processors and ultra-fast 3D graphics processors, you won't see it fly.

The Elitebook 800 and 1000 series laptops pack in the latest Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, giving you four cores running at speeds of up to 4.2Ghz, with up to 32GB of RAM and dedicated NVIDIA GPUs on some of the most performance-focused models. These specs transform what might appear to be an underpowered thin-and-light laptop into a high-performance tool capable of handling the toughest workloads. Nor are the EliteOne 1000 all-in-ones lacking in horsepower. With six-core Core i5 and i7 processors and optional Intel Optane memory, they can chew through any task.

Processing power is one thing, but storage speeds are often equally significant. Where older laptops may be stuck with slower mechanical hard drives or early solid-state storage devices, the newer SATA and nVME M.2 SSDs in the Elitebook 800 and 1000 series laptops help Windows boot near-instantly, while loading applications and even huge media files without any painful delays. While you might think Windows will run perfectly well on your old hardware especially if you're used to existing Windows 7 systems you might be surprised how noticeable the difference is, and how much slicker and more seamless Windows 10 can be.

Connectivity is another crucial issue. 802.11n Wi-Fi and HDMI and USB 3.0 ports are still perfectly usable in Windows 10, but with 802.11ac Wi-Fi you'll get a faster, more reliable connection to the office network or the internet, while the newer USB-C standard gives you a high-speed link to monitors or a complete desktop setup over a single cable. That's something you come to appreciate if your company is experimenting with hotdesking or other flexible working practices.

Finally, don't forget about the screen. Those bog-standard, HD 1,366 x 768 resolution displays were fine in the days of Windows 7, but Windows 10 multi-tasking and modern applications require a bigger canvas. That's why laptops like the EliteBook 840, 1030, 1040 and 1050 ship with stunning full HD IPS screens, while some EliteBook 850 laptops boast incredible Ultra HD screens; you can get more done on a single, crystal clear screen without the size and bulk of the old big-screen laptops.

Put all of this together and you have significantly more capable machines than any device of five years ago. From the Ultra HD screens perfect for multi-tasking to the high-performance processors designed to handle the toughest workloads, you'll realise you can get so much more out of your OS by upgrading to the latest kit.

New forms for a new approach

Windows 10 is an OS built for agility and flexibility, so you really can't get the most out of its features with the chunky 2kg laptops of four or five years ago. You need PCs with new thin-and-light form factors, like HP's latest EliteBook 800 or 1000 Series models. With screen sizes ranging from 13.3 to 15.6in, EliteBook 800 series laptops weigh in at between 1.35kg and 1.78kg, with precision-crafted chassis that pass MIL-STD 810G standards for drop and shock-resistance.

What's more, laptops in the EliteBook 800 and 1000 series give you a choice of standard clamshell form factor and 360-degree convertible designs, where the screen can fold back flat against the base for touch or stylus use. This makes for a more versatile PC that's ideal for presenting, working standing up or taking notes. The 1000 series models also give you a 13.3in to 14in laptop within an even lighter 1.26kg to 1.36kg chassis, yet with the power and usability of a high-performance desktop PC, thanks to 8th generation Core i5 and Core i7 processors and Full HD and Ultra HD displays.

Mobility means nothing if you're forced to lug around a charger, needing an hour or two to replenish the battery in the middle of a busy day. Luckily, these models promise battery life of up to 16 hours with fast charging to get you back to 50% within 30 minutes. With that, you can keep running all day and into the next without a recharge break.

Form factors are also changing as work grows more collaborative. When you're taking Skype for Business calls or video-conferencing, the sub-HD webcams and poor mono microphones of old laptops won't cut the mustard, which is why these new 800 and 1000 series EliteBooks come with HD webcams, Bang & Olufsen speaker systems and multi-array microphones with background noise cancellation.

There's similar thinking behind HP's new EliteOne 1000 all-in-one PCs, which feature full HD dual-facing webcams, noise cancelling-mics and B&O speakers with HP Audio Boost to guarantee crystal-clear speech. With screens of up to 34in in size and premium designs, these are PCs built to help teams work better together.

Security to meet new threats

Whatever you run it on, Windows 10 is Microsoft's most secure Windows OS yet, with a huge range of features that protect you from malware, intrusion and more. All the same, having new hardware will give you even stronger defences. Take authentication. Windows 10's Windows Hello feature offers users an easy yet secure way to sign on, but add new hardware into the mix and you get biometric authentication with hardware-assured security and options for two-factor authentication. With HP's Client Security Manager multi-factor authentication on the EliteBook 800 and 1000 series laptops, for example, you can combine PIN or password authentication with a fingerprint reader and even facial recognition through the built-in infrared webcam.

You'll also find that last feature inside EliteOne 1000 all-in-ones and EliteDisplay S series monitors. Users can login in seconds without the hassle of complex passwords, yet with all the file access control and identity security that Windows 10 allows.

This is just the start. On HP's business systems, including the EliteBook series, HP SureStart technology adds hardware-enforced BIOS protection that prevents attacks against the BIOS and enables it to halt operations and self-heal. HP Sure Run keeps critical processes and applications running even in the face of a malware attempt to shut them down, while HP Sure Recover enables PCs to shrug off an attack and recover over a network connection.

What's more, HP Sure Click technology isolates browser sessions for added security, ensuring that a browser-based attack can't spread to infect the whole PC. It even safeguards against compromised PDF files opened in the browser.

And if you're worried about protecting confidential information in shared environments, like the coffee shop, hotel lounge, train, plane or shared workspace, then HP's Sure View technology might have the answer. A feature of key EliteBook laptops and EliteOne all-in-ones, it gives you a privacy shield for your screen at the touch of a button, so that you can see it but any budding shoulder surfers can't.

Windows 10 is great on almost any hardware, but with the latest form factors, security features and high-performance components, modern hardware can take it to a whole new level. Use one without the other, and you're not really seeing the full picture.

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Windows 7, once heralded as Microsoft's best ever operating system, reached end of life in January 2023 after 14 years of service. This means there will be no future security updates, so any new bugs or software vulnerabilities will go unpatched, making it unsuitable for use in businesses.

Windows 7 was an incredibly popular operating system, accounting for 62% of all Windows installs at the hight of its popularity, according to Statcounter. While it started to lose popularity in 2015 when mainstream support ended, user numbers stayed stubbornly high, with Windows 7 still holding 10% of the Microsoft operating system market share.

Thankfully for most businesses, Statcounter shows that number has now dropped off to about 3%. Yet according to 6sense, that still means there's around 40,000 companies still running Windows 7, despite the risks.

Why is Windows 7 end of life so important?

Windows 7 technically reached end of life on 14 January 2020, a little over 10 years after its original release. This didn't mean Windows 7 computers suddenly ceased functioning, but simply that Microsoft would no longer be patching the system for flaws. It also meant technical support would no longer be available.

You may be thinking that you could take the risk, and get away without upgrading your system - why bother with the hassle if your computer still works just fine?

An unsupported OS is a buffet for hackers, who could use it to exploit flaws that were never patched to install all kinds of malware on your device, such as ransomware or spyware, or simply to destroy the data on your system. This is far too high a risk for any business to take with its devices.

In fact, it is more than likely that at the time of Windows 7’s retirement, threat actors were aware of exploits that had not yet been discovered, and which they are now able to use against any unfortunate souls still using the OS, free from fear of reprisal by Microsoft.

Is there a way to run Windows 7 today?

When Windows 7 reached end of life, more resistant users — or those in offices who were engaged in a drawn-out OS update process — were presented with a few ways to maintain their Windows 7 installs for a little longer.

Those looking to run Windows 7 in a virtual machine could do so on the Azure Virtual Desktop service, which comes at no extra cost if a business is already a customer of Azure. Custom virtual machines can also be used, if you’d like to virtualise Windows 7 yourself.

Alternatively, users were given the option to sign up to the Extended Security Update (ESU) program, through which critical and important security updates continue to be provided to Windows 7, with the cost agreed between a client and their relevant Microsoft account team and partners.

However, this program was only ever designed as a last resort and had a limited shelf life of January 2023, and so is now no longer an option for businesses. 

This means that beyond a virtual environment, there simply is no viable way to run Windows 7 today, and any businesses that still have the operating system installed are putting their networks at risk.

Migrating your business away from Windows 7

To some, Windows 7's end of life might have been slow to arrive, but to IT decision-makers, the deadline of January 2020 was a rapid turnaround, a mere blink of the eye. That's because IT project deployment can be painstakingly slow.

Dale Titcombe, head of IT at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, told ITPro that it was never too early to start work on migrating over to Windows 10 from Windows 7.

"It cannot be assumed that remedial work won't be required in order to transition between OS versions and that 'projects' within the migration project may likely present themselves, that require prioritisation and resourcing," Titcombe said last year.

He argued that the process of upgrading the machines to a new OS is the easy part, which often can be done in a matter of days with the right provisioning. "The harder part is making sure you have identified any issues you have in your environment and planning the project," he added.

And the larger your organisation is, the more likely it is that you'll have needed to start migration work immediately; even more so if you haven't started work on migration.

"Established businesses and institutions have been here before, so hopefully lessons have been learned," said Richard Edwards, distinguished research analyst at Freeform Dynamics. "Large enterprises aren't usually the fastest movers, so less than a year should signal a degree of urgency."

Upgrade to Windows 10 or risk being left behind

Windows 7 maintained its popularity, despite the approach of its end of life date. This meant a significant number of desktops were at risk of being vulnerable unless changes were made, and Titcombe explained that cyber criminals would be posed to strike as soon as the end-of-life deadline came into effect.

Titcombe also points out that organisations that stick with Windows 7 will become out of touch, and that's where the move to Windows 10 or even Windows 11 is an opportunity. He said any organisation or individual making the move to Windows 10 will "be amazed about how much faster and more dynamic your environment becomes with the upgrade to Windows 10 and its supporting software like Office 365 and Windows server 2016".

So, making the move to Windows 10 can be a lever to taking a fresh look at IT more generally, which was also true of BCS' own migration.

"As part of our move to Windows 10, we have pushed the organisational IT policy forward with moves to more cloud operations and SaaS solutions," explained Titcombe. "Our new Windows 10 environment is much more dynamic than our previous pre-Windows 10 thick-client environment."

Even without taking that broader approach, there are software compatibility reasons to see the move as a good thing rather than a chore. Much of the draw of Windows 10 and Windows 11 is the greater range of features both operating systems provide, and newer software and hardware are almost always designed with the latest operating systems in mind, with no guarantee of the same experience on Windows 7.

"In the same year that Microsoft gave us Windows 7, Apple gave us the iPhone 3GS, and Google shipped Android 2.0," said Edwards. "How far has Microsoft Windows come since then? It's time to move up or change course."

Alternatives to Windows 10 and 11

Starting the move away from Windows 7 with plenty of time in hand meant it was possible to think carefully about the whole IT setup, and maybe do a much-needed general spring clean both on the hardware and software sides. 

But with the deadline now gone, it's imperative for businesses that haven't moved from Windows 7 to make a fundamental shift.

Edwards' advice is to "understand why you're upgrading and don't do it blindly".

"There are other ways and means out there if Windows 10 doesn't appeal. Look at these alternatives seriously, including Windows 10 in S mode, and remember that the tools we use shape the way we do things. PC hardware can run a variety of operating systems. Maybe take a look at (Google-backed) CloudReady from Neverware as an example."

Businesses may also choose to look for open source platforms instead, including platforms like Linux. If you're thinking about such a move, it's worth looking at our list of the best Linux distros available to help you decide.

Wherever an organisation goes after Windows 7, upgrading should be done in a measured and controlled way, not rushed at the last moment.

"This is essential if you want a smooth upgrade," explained Titcombe. "You'd much rather have a few weeks/months to spare after planning than realising you didn't leave enough time and need to finish off the entire project/deployment in a week."

A mixed estate is a rich source of grief for most IT departments. Having to manage security and updates across just one operating system and a few core applications can be hard enough, but when you're handling multiple operating systems and a range of applications, the hassle seems to multiply with each and every one. Even managing several versions of Windows can be a trial, as you try to schedule patches and updates, troubleshoot issues and make sure all those systems are secure. A mixed estate doesn't just mean more work, it also means more opportunity for something to be missed or new problems to emerge.

This is why the prospect of a unified estate is so desirable for many IT leaders, and why Microsoft's strategy with Windows 10 does so much to pave the way for exactly that.

One OS to patch and update

If you wish, you can have every PC on the premises running the same OS with the same patches, with the same updates rolling out at the same time. But if that doesn't suit or you want more control of the update process, there are mechanisms to define when updates roll out or even which types of update will be installed in what time period.

With no new Windows versions as such to worry about, Windows 10 updates have settled into a predictable cadence, with a full feature upgrade rolling out every spring and more functional, service and security updates in the autumn. Fixes and security updates continue to roll out monthly or as and when required. For obvious reasons, it's wise to have security and reliability updates installed as soon as possible (though even these can be deferred by up to 30 days). On top of this, business users employing Windows Update for Business (with Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise) can defer the less critical, annual feature updates by up to 365 days. This extends up to 30 months for firms running the Enterprise edition, enabling firms to decide whether they want the latest features or a codebase that's had more time in the field.

Should you want more granular control, you can set which PCs get which updates using Group Policy with Active Directory, pushing different upgrade policies to different groups of users. And with Windows 10 there's no manual updating and no way that end-users can avoid upgrades because they'll get in the way of work'. Upgrades can be set to install out of active hours or you can set a deadline for an auto-restart. With Windows 10 rolled out across the whole estate, the usual headaches of keeping all your systems up to date all but go away.

One OS for productivity and security

Of course, updates are important, but they're not the only reason to get the whole estate up and running on just the one OS. For a start, Windows 10 delivers the perfect balance between Windows 7's familiarity and new features that can transform productivity. The desktop, the Start button and file management work much like they do in Windows 7, but with the addition of smarter, more effective virtual desktops, intelligent search and digital assistance from Cortana and the new Timeline. This last feature makes it easier to find what you were working on yesterday, last week or even last month by enabling you to scroll backwards through time and see which documents you were working on during that time. These aren't the kind of features end-users ignore, but the kind they'll wonder how they ever lived without.

Windows 10 is also purpose-built for a modern approach to IT, where multiple devices might be working with the same information through a mix of applications, and where cloud now an integral part of Windows enables a seamless, automated, pro-active way of working. This becomes particularly important when you're running desktops, laptops and convertibles across the whole estate. Devices in the HP EliteBook range, for instance, come armed with cutting edge Windows 10 features, meaning you don't compromise one experience to find a better fit for others; the OS adapts to meet the needs of each device.

Security is another win. Windows Hello makes identity the key to authentication, using biometrics and physical tokens to replace hard to manage, insecure passwords. End users get a quicker, smoother sign-in. IT departments don't get the hassle of managing and resetting passwords.

If you're running the OS on devices such as the HP Elite range and do want to use passwords, you have the option of HP SpareKey, which uses predetermined security questions to help users reset passwords and restore access to locked PCs without intervention from IT personnel. HP devices also offer the multi-factor secure login, HP Multi-Factor Authenticate, which helps keep your network and VPN safe by requiring up to three factors of authentication, including fingerprint and facial recognition.

Meanwhile, the advanced security features of Windows Defender Security Centre, BitLocker and with Windows 10 Enterprise Windows Advanced Threat Detection give you a strong, easily-configured base layer of security on which you can add further layers if needed. With just the one OS it's so much more straightforward to develop a coherent security provision.

One OS to manage

Crucially, unifying the estate around Windows 10 gives you one, modern platform to manage plus the tools to make that management much less onerous. New cloud-based tools like Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopilot make it easier to first deploy and then manage the estate's PCs, delivering real control over company data and proper management over the OS and installed apps.

You can not only define security policies but ensure that all the systems on the estate comply, even as they're rolling out. These tools integrate with Microsoft Azure Active Directory for identity and access control, and with the productivity and communications applications rolled out through Office 365. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit simplifies provisioning, manages security and gives you real-time diagnostic insights into all the Windows 10 PCs on your estate.

These benefits add up, reducing the time and effort IT teams spend on managing the estate's computers, while delivering a modern, productive experience to end-users, with a common look and feel that's still easy to customise for personal preference. In an era where IT is a powerful disruptive force, IT teams have enough to do without managing multiple operating systems. Unifying behind Windows 10 just makes sense.

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The looming end of support for Windows 7 should be enough to prompt any business to accelerate migration to Windows 10. But fear of being marooned on an insecure operating system isn't the only reason to make the move there are many strong business reasons to upgrade to Windows 10 that will deliver real value to your staff and the company as a whole.

Migration shouldn't be seen as a necessary evil, but an unmissable opportunity to make your IT better. Here are some of the many reasons why Windows 10 will better your business.

Avoiding the password pain

Any IT department will be familiar with the pain of supporting employees who can't remember their Windows logins. Windows 10 and a generation of new hardware that supports biometric identification makes the pain of forgotten passwords almost vanish.

Windows Hello is built into Windows 10, but companies looking to roll out the technology will need to make sure that cameras, fingerprint readers and other biometric accessories are Windows Hello compatible. Devices like the HP EliteBook X360 have all the required hardware built in, to make the most of Windows Hello functionality.

Protection from ransomware

Ransomware is the kind of threat that gives IT managers restless nights. Coming in to find the company's PCs have been locked by rogues demanding a ransom is nobody's idea of fun.

Windows 10 has beefed up ransomware protection, making an attack much less likely to succeed. The first part of this is the optional controlled folder access. This prevents unfamiliar apps from gaining access to key folders such as Documents and Windows system folders, making it harder for ransomware to surreptitiously encrypt a user's files.

Ransomware data recovery is also provided by OneDrive, which is baked into Windows 10. Premium OneDrive accounts allow users to recover previous versions of files, meaning that even if the worst should happen, users should be able to turn back the clock and recover encrypted data.

Run Linux in Windows

Migrating to Windows 10 doesn't give you just one operating system, but two or even more! Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager allows you to install and run Linux distributions such as Ubuntu as a virtual machine from within Windows itself.

This is hugely convenient for employees such as web developers, who no longer need to run a separate machine nor install dedicated virtualisation tools to switch between environments. You can be up and running with your chosen Linux distro within minutes. You can also create different virtual machines for different purposes/projects, and simply scrap the VM when you're done with it.

The virtual machine runs just like any other Windows application, meaning you can cut and paste data between Windows and Linux desktops, for example.

Better update management

No employee has installing Windows updates at the top of their to-do list which is why you'll occasionally hear yelps of despair when an employee steps away from their desk for ten minutes to find that Windows has applied an update in their absence, taking all their unsaved work with it.

Update management has been vastly improved with Windows 10. First, any restart to apply an update will be applied outside of the default active hours' of 8am to 5pm, unless otherwise specified. IT admins can set updates to be applied at a specific time so as to avoid any unnecessary disturbances. Users are now also given clear warnings when updates are pending, avoiding the shock of returning to your system to find an update has been automatically applied.

Updates should also be applied more quickly thanks to the new Unified Update Platform. This vastly reduces the download size of update files, containing only the changes that have been made since the last update rather than downloading an entire new build. That means less load on the company network and less time until employees get essential updates.

Get devices ready with Autopilot

Another pain point for IT departments is preparing devices for new users. A PC passing from one employee to another may need to be wiped and re-imaged, potentially leading to delays before a new employee can be handed a computer. Similarly, new equipment arriving in the company faces a lengthy wait before it can be put into employees' hands.

Windows Autopilot removes many of these headaches. It can take the OEM version of Windows or an employee's existing machine and put it into a business-ready' state by applying policies, installing apps, or applying company-specific settings to the Windows 10 PC. It can even adapt the version of Windows 10 the PC is using, moving from Windows 10 Pro to Enterprise edition, for example.

A new update with Windows 10 version 1903 means that companies can pre-configure new PCs before they are even delivered from partners or suppliers, so that they are business-ready from the moment they arrive in the building.

Work across virtual desktops

We mentioned above how you could run multiple operating systems from within Windows 10. Well, you can also run multiple versions of Windows 10 within Windows 10!

Virtual desktops allow employees to create different desktops for different purposes. A member of the sales team might have one desktop that contains the company's CRM app, PowerPoint and Skype, so that they can focus on chasing leads. On a separate desktop, they may have a web browser, Microsoft Teams and email for times when they want to focus on team communication.

It's easy to flip between the two different desktops you simply press the Task View button next to the search bar or use the Windows + Tab keyboard shortcut. Virtual desktops let staff keep their focus where it needs to be, rather than constantly flitting between different tasks.

A safer way to surf

There are times when we've all clicked on links we're not sure about or visited web apps that we can't be 100% sure are trustworthy. Windows Defender Application Guard provides a safe way for staff to access risky sites without compromising the rest of their PC.

This optional feature allows you to create a new Application Guard window from within the Edge browser it's marked with a little shield in the taskbar, so that you can be sure you're in a safe browsing environment. Application Guard acts as a container that's totally separate from the rest of the PC anything you access in that browser window cannot infect the rest of the PC.

If you're running Windows 10 on an HP device, you also have the added option of HP Sure Click, which similarly creates a secure sandboxed environment for each browser window, ensuring that any attack that occurs can't spread and infect the machine. So, if a client wants you to use a web app you're not sure about, you can run either Windows Defender Application Guard or HP Sure Click and be confident that no malware will seep across your systems.

So, whether it's better security, enhanced productivity, more flexibility or new opportunities to communicate and work together you're after, Windows 10 has plenty of benefits to offer your company. And, by combining a migration to Windows 10 with new hardware, you're on the road to transforming your IT.

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With the combination of developing technology and modern-day pressures and responsibilities, the traditional office model is starting to seem outdated. A 2018 YouGov survey found that just 6% of people in the UK work regular 9-to-5 hours every day, and more and more companies are adopting an agile culture.

What is agile working?

An agile working model enables employees to work when, where and how they want, as long as it meets the requirements of their job and the business. For some companies, this may mean encouraging hot desking within the office, whilst others may extend this further to allow employees to work remotely with flexible hours.

In a completely agile working culture, employees should be able to work as easily from a coffee shop or train as from a desk in the office, and different time zones and working hours shouldn't affect productivity and business output. By using technology to seamlessly connect employees across the business, whenever and wherever they choose to work, the company can ensure that it's just as easy for employees to complete tasks outside the office as in. This complete agility may not be feasible for all companies, but the principles still apply to any kind of agile working.

What are the benefits?

Agile working empowers employees by giving them the freedom and flexibility to work in a way which suits them. And, providing the correct practices, processes and technology are put in place, the agile working model should benefit employers too.

With fewer constraints and increased flexibility, you'll have a happier workforce and you're likely to see an increase in productivity. A 2017 YouGov survey found that 89% of British employees were motivated to be more productive by flexible working. Coupled with the reduced business costs of agile working (think less office space, reduced utility costs, etc.), you should see some tangible benefits to the company.

With an agile working culture considered a real company perk, it's also going to help you hire the best talent. And, not only will you attract more people with agile working as a benefit, you'll also be opening up the company to a more diverse group of potential employees that couldn't have otherwise taken the job.

Agile working outside the office

So how do you realistically enable employees to work from anywhere? Remote agile working simply wouldn't be possible without modern technology, and it's important to ensure your organisation has the best hardware to make flexible working as easy and pain-free as possible. Your agile working benefits may disappear quickly if your employees are getting frustrated by clunky portable equipment or complicated remote access that prevents them getting hold of vital documents.

A good enterprise laptop is a staple when you have employees working remotely. The key is to find a high-performance device that can do everything you need but is also lightweight and easily portable. Convertible laptops like the HP EliteBook x360 are a great option for working on the move. You can flip the reversible screen over to use the laptop as a tablet, and the HP EliteBook x360 even comes with a smart pen to jot down notes directly on the screen. The x360 also features tent mode', which allows you to stand the laptop up handy for meetings where you want to talk through a presentation or document on screen.

If you're upgrading your enterprise hardware as part of a new agile working plan, this is a great opportunity to migrate to Windows 10 if you haven't already, giving you the OS support to get the most out of your new devices.

It's also important to have good business processes and practices to ensure employees are acting responsibly about security outside of the office. With an HP EliteBook running Windows 10, you have plenty of cutting edge security features to choose from. Windows 10 is Microsoft's most secure OS yet, featuring SmartScreen malware protection, Find My Device and BitLocker encryption, to name just a few.

HP also has its own set of security features HP Sure View integrated privacy screen alters the viewing angles to stop opportunistic data thieves reading over your shoulder and Sure Start can automatically detect, stop and recover from a BIOS attack. HP EliteBook devices are also equipped with biometric sensors that make it possible for Windows Hello secure login to recognise the fingerprint or face of the user.

Other things to consider when your staff are working on the move and from different locations are battery life and screen quality. The last thing you want is an employee working to a deadline with a dangerously low battery bar and no plug socket handy, or working in a bright cafe and unable to see anything through the glare on the screen. The HP EliteBooks boast all-day battery life and come with HP Anti-Glare Touch Display so you can read your screen easily in any lighting environment.

You also need to think about how your remote workers will connect with colleagues within the office and access files. Can employees access documents, emails and any other communication systems easily and securely from outside the office? Moving your computing to cloud storage, such as OneDrive or SharePoint, is a great way to ensure easy access from any location with an internet connection.

Agile working inside the office

Creating a successful office environment is all about getting the balance right between a collaborative space and a space where people feel they can concentrate and get on with their work. This is where you can really benefit from an agile working setup.

The appeal of agility within the office is that employees are not limited to one inflexible workspace they can choose to work in different settings depending on who they are working with and what they are working on. It's not just about sitting with different people each day.

For example, open plan areas are great for collaboration and creativity but may be a distraction for someone who needs to get their head down and concentrate on a project. A break out area might be perfect for casual meetings but you may need a formal meeting room for conversations with clients. A comfy sofa area may suit someone firing off emails on a laptop but the same person may need a fully equipped desk with a high-resolution monitor for a complex project.

If you want employees to fully embrace this office arrangement, you need to ensure moving from one workspace to another is as easy as possible. If you've invested in enterprise laptops you're already one step of the way there, but you also need to think about practicalities like having enough monitors and plug sockets and choosing technology that works well together. For example, the HP EliteDisplay Docking Monitors are designed so that you can simply plug in your HP EliteBook laptop via the provided USB-C cable and almost instantly start working on the big screen.

Getting everyone on board

Last but not least, a crucial step in adopting any kind of agile working model is a shift in culture. Ensuring you have the right equipment will take you a long way, but you also need to get all of your staff on board with the concept. When making changes to working arrangements, consult your employees on what they need and what would make their lives easier and introduce new ways of working gradually, with clear guidelines and best practices.

Managers also need to reconsider how they measure the success and commitment of their employees. There needs to be an element of trust between employers and employees working remotely or choosing flexible hours, and the focus should be on the standard of work being produced, rather than on emphasis on things such as face time and punctuality.

Essentially, it's all in the planning and setup. If you invest in the right technology and take the time to encourage a shift in culture, you really can set up your company to work from anywhere, safely, securely and productively.

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Windows 7 has been a hugely successful OS, but in January 2020, it will lose technical support from Microsoft. With no further updates or patches, any business still running on Windows 7 may be caught out.

Plus, your organisation will be missing out on all the benefits of Windows 10. From advanced security to enhanced productivity, the new OS offers plenty of cutting edge technologies to empower your business.

January 2020 may seem like a long way off, but that deadline will come around quickly. While migration needn't be a daunting task, it definitely should not be left until the last moment. Below are ten reasons good reasons why you should start your migration plans now.

Click here to see the full infographic.

Microsoft replaced the Command Prompt fdisk function with the Disk Management tool which was introduced to users in Windows XP.

Disk management in Windows 10 is a useful tool that allows users to view and organise the disk drives they have installed on their hardware. The range of disks that this encompasses includes flash drives, hard disk drives, and optical disk drives, as well as allowing for fairly advanced storage tasks.

For example, you can use it to extend, create, or delete drive partitions that you no longer need or want to keep. This is also useful since it helps you run two operating systems from just one drive. Through the tool’s Master Boot Record (MBR) and GUID Partition Table partitioning structure, you can also use it to format drives and set up new ones, all from Microsoft’s pre-installed tool.

What are the advantages of Disk Management?

Disk Management is only pre-installed on PCs that run Windows 10, as it’s an extension of the Microsoft Management Console. It allows users to manage the disk-based hardware, as long as it’s recognised by the machine’s operating system. Freeing up precious disk space is one of its most vital functions on the operating system.

If you’re prone to storing plenty of unused files or folders on your machine, then you can take full advantage of its utility feature. This handy tool will help make your data more accessible by rearranging it. This helps to combine drives together in a larger volume but comes with the added bonus of making your files and folders easier to discover and search through.

That being said, this is one of the Microsoft operating system's more basic functions. IT administrators also use plenty of the other advanced features found in the Windows 10 built-in Disk Management tool to work out how free space should be distributed and determine why the machine or software may not be as rapid as they should be.

How to open Disk Management

As we stated before, Disk Management was first unveiled to the world in Microsoft’s Windows XP, which had an extremely useful GUI to take the place of its Command Prompt interface which was more or less unintuitive.

• Quick access menu: right-click the Windows Start button and select it from the menu that appears
• Using Run: quickly open Run by pressing Windows+R and type diskmgmt.msc into the text field before pressing OK
• Taskbar Search: Opinions are divided on the search feature in Windows 10, but it still does the job here. Simply search for 'disk management' and an option for 'Create and format hard disk partitions' will appear - that's the one you want
• Taskbar search 2.0: alternatively, you can just type diskmgmt.msc into the search bar and hit Enter to open the utility
• Command Prompt: If you want to go old school, open up a Command Prompt window, type diskmgmt and hit Enter to open it up

How to use Disk Management

With Disk Management open you can carry out a number of tasks.

Extend a partition

To do this, right-click the partition you would like to expand and then choose Extend Volume. Sometimes a user will find the Extend Volume option is greyed out this is because the Extend Volume in Windows 10 is only available when there is adjoining unallocated space behind the partition.

Create a virtual hard drive (VHD)

You can create and attach a VHD file by using Disk Management. Choose Create VHD from the Action menu. You can specify settings in dialogue box such as the location of the VHD, its size, and format (dynamically expanding or fixed). Click OK to create the VHD. After this, the VHD is attached and is shown as an uninitialised disk.

Convert from MBR to GPT

A hard drive can be converted from an MBR disk to a GPT disk using Disk Management. To do this. Right-click on the disk in Disk Management and select Convert to GPT disk. (Make sure any volumes on the disk are removed first). The disk will be changed and should show as Online.

When it comes to navigating a Windows machine, most professionals will swear by the command prompt function.

There is a certain level of technical know-how needed for it and any self-respecting IT professional should really find the time to fully understand the command prompt. You can't really call yourself a 'pro' without it.

Once mastered you might start referring to it in more common terms - simply 'CMD' - and it will quickly become your go-to method for either Windows 10 and Windows 11. It can be used to create shortcuts to pin to the taskbar, access vital information about the computer and even manage security issues.

Users should think of the command prompt as a more powerful alternative to the graphical user interface. The main difference is that it doesn't hide its functions or bury them under layers of the menu. Such is the brilliance of command prompt, Microsoft has virtually left its design unchanged since 1987.

What is the command prompt?

On Windows machines, the command prompt is used to action a variety of different tasks, such as automating scripts or finding batch files. It's also a handy tool for fixing faults in Windows.

Aesthetically the command prompt leaves a little to be desired. It looks very much like an advanced navigation tool built by developers - which is probably why the uninitiated fear it so much. However, it can be mastered with a little trial and error. Just take it at your own pace and you'll eventually master it. Once it is under your grasp, you'll never use a computer in the same way again.

How to open the command prompt

There are many different ways to open the program, the simplest of which involves simply typing 'command prompt' or 'cmd' into the Windows 10 search bar and it will be the top result. If you like your keyboard shortcuts, Windows+X will open the Power Users menu from which command prompt can be launched with one click.

If you want to make serious changes to your system using command prompt, you'll most likely have to run as administrator. This can be done in either of the previous two methods by either right-clicking the icon in search or by selecting the admin option from the Power Users menu.

Any major changes to the system made with command prompt will likely require you to run it as an administrator. To do this, right click the icon in the search bar or on the taskbar and select 'run as administrator.'

It can also be done through Task Manager: simply open it up, open the 'File' menu and CTRL+click 'Run New Task' to immediately launch command prompt as administrator.

How does the command prompt work and why would you use it?

The command prompt works at a more basic level than Windows, but that is not to say it isn't powerful. It means you gain more control over the PC and communicate with it in a more direct way.

Common cmd commands include ‘dir’, which lists an alphabetised list of files in each directory, ‘cd’ which changes the current working directory, and ‘copy’ which copies files from one directory to another. Command prompt can perform tasks such as shutdown the system ('shutdown /s'), and also be used to access parts of the operating system that are not available through the graphical user interface.

In addition to the commands mentioned above, there are a number of other useful commands such as ipconfig (which shows what IP address a computer has), Tracert (which shows information on each step between the computer and a target host elsewhere on the internet such as a website), and the system file checker (sfc), which finds any corrupt or missing files, and automatically replaces them using cached copies kept by Windows.

What about Windows PowerShell?

Ever since the Windows 10 release, Microsoft has been attempting to get users to abandon the legacy command shell and opt for a new alternative – PowerShell.

First released as an optional component in 2006, PowerShell boasts an abundance of useful commands, also known as cmdlets, which were designed to be better integrated with most Microsoft offerings. As functions that exist inside compiled DLLs on a system, the main purpose of cmdlets is to not only become a more modern substitute for the Command Prompt, but also batch files and VB scripts.

More information on how PowerShell compares to CMD can be found here.

When Microsoft’s Windows 11 was released in 2021, Microsoft soon announced plans to make Windows Terminal the default command-line experience, with PowerShell the recommended interface rather than cmd.

However, not all is lost: command prompt fans will likely be able to change their default command shell in the system settings, and Microsoft isn’t completely dropping the tool from Windows 11 any time soon.

Technology changes quickly and so does the threat landscape surrounding it. It therefore pays to be aware of the newest and greatest challenges to your IT security. Data breaches and thefts, ransomware and phishing are just a few of the malicious scenarios that could harm your business.

The way we work has changed, and employees are as likely to be found working on a laptop from a cafe and using unsecured public Wi-Fi as they are a desktop computer in the office. To prevent a catastrophic breach, it's essential that you put security at the forefront of your IT policy.

A major issue that will affect many organisations is the imminent end of support for Windows 7, which Microsoft will cease updating in January 2020 leaving an already outdated OS vulnerable to any new developments in cyber crime. This will necessitate a switch to Windows 10, but this transition should also be seen as an opportunity to protect your organisation with a whole new suite of the latest security features.

Key security concerns

Cyber threats are myriad. Hackers are always devising new, insidious ways of tricking sensitive data, personal information and passwords out of your employees through phishing attacks that pretend to come from official or reputable sources. Malware has moved on too, and you might not even realise that you are a victim. For instance, the McAfee Labs Threats Report (December 2018) claims that incidences of computers being surreptitiously installed with Bitcoin-mining software increased by 4,000% between 2017 and 2018.

Ransomware hit the headlines in a big way, with attacks like WannaCry bringing the NHS to its knees. It's no coincidence that many of the organisations that fall foul to such attacks are found to be using outdated PCs running unsupported operating systems. Increasingly, even the drastic approach of wiping the hard disk and starting from scratch (or a backup) after an attack is no longer so reliable, as LoJax ransomware can infect the UEFI BIOS, from where it can simply reinstall itself after you've finished diligently creating a clean OS install.

Password theft continues to be a problem thanks not only to weak passwords, but evolving password-hacking techniques mean that even complex, strong' choices can be cracked with little effort. And thanks to the growing trend for agile working, staff members working from home or in public places increases the chance of successful attacks over public Wi-Fi, as well as good, old-fashioned theft and burglary.

It's a grisly list of vulnerabilities, but thankfully Windows 10 can help mitigate these risks.

How Windows 10 can help

Microsoft has baked security into the foundation of Windows 10 and filled it with features that can efficiently and effectively protect your workforce and consequently, your business.

With Windows 10 there's no need to worry about third party security solutions thanks to Windows Defender, a fully integrated security suite. Windows Defender will protect your staff from the most common and arguably worrying threats such as malware and ransomware, while also providing a safe browsing environment and inbuilt firewall protection.

Microsoft SmartScreen is a cloud-based tool for preventing both phishing and malware attacks on your systems. Working through Outlook and your web browser, it flags suspicious websites and emails by comparing them against Microsoft's blacklist. While employees should, of course be trained to recognise phishing scams from 100 paces, SmartScreen offers an extra level of protection and warning against these threats.

Windows 10 offers enhanced protection from ransomware with its Secure Boot Mode, which safeguards against attacks that target the UEFI. This can be further enhanced by investing in the right hardware devices. HP's EliteBook range of business laptops come equipped with Sure Start Gen4 self-healing BIOS, which detects changes to the BIOS and will install a clean, safe BIOS before any malware can execute.

Single-factor logins are a thing of the past. Increasingly, multi-factor authentication is being acknowledged as an essential tool in preventing password theft by adding an extra layer of security whether that's via facial recognition, a security code sent in a text message to your phone, or a dedicated mobile app when logging into computers and applications. Windows 10 features Windows Hello, a multi-factor authentication platform that can use biometric scanning such as fingerprints and facial recognition or be paired with 'companion devices' like mobiles and smart watches, so that only the authorised user can gain access to their computer.

With so many employees working remotely on mobile devices, the risk of those devices being lost or stolen is high. But it's not the devices themselves that hold the most value, rather the data stored on them. To help safeguard the data on your PC, Windows 10 includes BitLocker, which dynamically encrypts all the data on your hard disk. Coupled with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), BitLocker offers impressive security, thanks to the encryption key being stored, in part, on the TPM rather than the hard disk. This ensures that even if thieves or hackers remove your hard disk from your computer, they won't be able to decrypt and ultimately access your data.

And if you are unfortunate enough to have you laptop stolen, Windows 10 can help you track it down thanks to the Find My Device feature. A stolen device will transmit its location when connected to the internet, as well as allowing you to lock it down to prevent anyone else from gaining access to your sensitive data. Just don't forget to make sure that Find My Device has been activated in the settings.

To get the very best out of Windows 10, you need to couple it with the latest hardware that's been designed to use all of those integrated security features. HP's Elite range of PCs will cover all those bases, from 3D cameras to enable Windows Hello facial recognition, to TPM modules for BitLocker implementation and of course HP's own Sure Start technology to protect against BIOS attacks.

Windows 10 is the most secure OS that Microsoft has ever built, making it the obvious choice for business. Whether you're looking to lock down your devices, or secure the precious data held within them, Windows 10 has the features you need baked into it. And by combining Windows 10 with new, cutting edge hardware like HP's EliteBook X360, you'll be getting the best from Windows 10 in terms of both security and productivity.

Discover more about HP Elite PCs and Windows 7 to Windows 10 migration

2020 has been the year of remote working, and it looks like it’s here to stay. Even the most skeptical companies have managed to find a way to make it work and, as a result, employers and employees alike are considering whether it might be the better option for many people going forward.

Of course, with the rise of remote working comes the ever-evolving issue of IT security. Companies with employees working remotely in any capacity need to adopt a different approach to their security, but many organisations aren’t investing in adequate security and are overlooking key threats. It's one thing to keep an eye on security when your workforce is in one central building, and another when they're let loose over home networks. According to a recent HP survey, 77% of IT decision makers believe more remote work means more security vulnerability.

What’s more, it seems like many companies will favour a hybrid approach going forward, with some staff working remotely and others on site. When your workforce is spread across numerous locations, IT security is no longer just about creating a watertight barrier around a central network – that network must remain as secure as ever, but you also need to ensure your employees can safely connect to the cloud wherever they may be accessing it.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to ensure your remote workforce is as protected as employees working within your office walls. If you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, then you’re off to a great start – Microsoft's latest OS has security baked into its core. Coupled with the latest hardware, it will help you create a resilient IT infrastructure that's both intrinsically secure and easy to use, whether in the office, at home or on the move.

Investing in endpoint security

Endpoint security is one of the biggest concerns for companies with remote working policies. It’s not just inadequately secured laptops you need to watch out for – other IoT devices such as printers can be vulnerable too. According to HP’s research, 35% of ITDMs are concerned about the security risk of home printers and 45% are worried about laptop security. As a result, HP found that 46% of ITDMs plan to augment endpoint security.

Ensuring your devices are as safe as possible when browsing online is key to minimising threats coming in over home networks. With Windows 10 Pro comes SmartScreen, a cloud-based anti-phishing and anti-malware filter that checks websites and downloads against a trusted list, warning users of potential threats. HP's 800, 830 and 1000 Elite series enhance browsing protection further with HP Sure Click, which creates a secure sandboxed environment for each browser window, ensuring that any attack that occurs can't spread and infect the machine as a whole. This tricks any malicious software into believing it's running on your device when it's actually trapped in the tab and destroyed when you close your browser. The key benefit of Sure Click is that it doesn't rely on the malware having already been recognised and logged, thus tackling the newest and most advanced threats head on. In addition to this, HP devices also come with HP Sure Start, which provides hardware-enforced BIOS protection that can automatically detect, stop, and recover from attacks against the BIOS.

When your employees are working in public locations, such as on public transport or in a cafe, there are a number of further precautions you should take – and having the right tools and applications already enabled on their machines will make that transition a whole lot easier and stress free. For example, to avoid "shoulder surfing" (hackers literally looking over your shoulder when you’re accessing confidential information), a privacy screen can add an extra level of protection. Devices in HP’s EliteBook range now come with these built in. At the tap of a button, HP Sure View will activate, significantly narrowing the viewing angle of the screen, and ensuring that only the authorised user can see what's being displayed.

Another public pitfall is cloned hotspots. These malicious Wi-Fi networks are created with an identical SSID to a safe hotspot in an attempt to trick new users into joining them by mistake. All it takes is a click on the spoofed hotspot to be at risk of sharing your every online move. Avoid this problem by alerting your employees to this kind of attack and ensuring they send all sensitive communications via an encrypted VPN.

One way to ensure your employees are secure is by equipping them with up-to-the-minute devices with sophisticated security features. That’s where a device as a service (DaaS) solution comes in use, eliminating up-front costs and supplying IT departments with new hardware ‘on-demand’ when it’s needed the most. HP’s latest devices, for example, come with powerful security options like HP Proactive Security. This offers multiple layers of proactive protection and advanced deep learning and isolation technologies more advanced than a traditional anti-virus tool.

There’s also HP TechPulse, a cutting-edge analytics platform offering critical data around devices and applications so IT can quickly identify issues and action solutions at scale. With tools like these in place, much of the burden on IT is lifted and focus can be shifted to longer-term strategic projects.

Enforcing best security practices

Of course, advanced security features are great at catching a lot of the problems caused by human error, but that doesn't mean your employees should mindlessly rely on their software and devices to protect them. From dodgy links to suspicious emails, the internet can be full of traps and pitfalls and if your employees are carelessly leaving their devices unattended or clicking on unfamiliar links without thinking, you may be fighting a losing battle. Your workforce needs to be made aware of key issues and advised on how best to avoid them.

Start by creating a best practice guide to work alongside your updated security system. This should include encouraging employees to ignore any content from unknown senders, to be mindful of their surroundings when working in a public space, and to avoid downloading or storing work data on personal devices. Remote workers should also be encouraged to back up data frequently so that a lost device doesn't mean lost data. Cloud storage services such as OneDrive are ideal solutions, and also ensure that data is always up to date and accessible from anywhere, while also being secure.

Involve your staff from the beginning and keep them informed of changes as and when they are made. Your employees are far more likely to use the simple Windows Hello biometric login feature than to go through the hassle of creating a different complex password for every account, and they are more likely to use a multi-factor authentication if the security code is sent directly to their phone. Both of the above security practices are far safer than your traditional password, so everybody benefits. Of course, you'll need hardware equipped with the right biometric sensors like the HP Elite Dragonfly that are compatible with Windows Hello’s functions.

Last but not least, you need to make sure your IT team is also following security best practices. Misconfiguration and out of date applications are two of the biggest vulnerabilities you can introduce into your IT infrastructure. Ensure that every device used to access company data is operating on a supported OS which is regularly updated, such as Windows 10 Pro. You may also wish to invest in a cloud provider to manage and give you greater visibility of your digital assets to make certain everything is configured correctly and compliant.

Choosing the right hardware for the job

The most effective way to reduce the risk of your company data falling into the wrong hands is to encrypt the devices that your remote workforce use, so that only your chosen employee or someone with the encryption key can access any files. Equipping all remote devices with dynamic encryption, such as Windows BitLocker, is an excellent way to standardise security. Like many of the more advanced OS security features, BitLocker requires support from premium hardware to run at full capacity. HP's Elite range incorporates the crucial Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which stores part of the encryption key for your data, stopping thieves from removing your hard disk in an attempt to steal your files.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies can also expose your organisation to security issues. Allowing employees to use their own, personal devices for work purposes can open up a Pandora's box of problems if steps aren't taken to secure them. Organisations choosing to go down this route must enforce clear best practice guidelines on any device, and ideally keep work and personal data completely separate through some form of sandboxing. However, a much safer practice is to only allow workers to use company-issued devices and to invest in certified hardware and software to make sure security is uniform and up to date. This may result in a larger IT estate to manage, but it will significantly reduce risk.

Put simply, a modern management approach is required from IT so that they can quickly deploy the latest devices, all backed up with security features to help people work securely, wherever they might be. IT departments need to factor in added risks of remote working, such as more vulnerable networks, poor employee security habits, and the use of under-secured devices for work. By choosing a partner like HP Services, you’ll have a full range of managed solutions tailored exactly to your business and its security needs.

Protecting your remote workforce might be an investment but it needn't be a headache. With Windows 10 Pro and the right supporting hardware, you can keep your workforce secure, both inside and outside the office.

Discover more about secure HP devices equipped with Windows 10 Pro

While some businesses have stuck with Windows 7 through a combination of cost-avoidance and inertia, others have genuine barriers that put them off migrating to a new OS. Of these, the biggest and most serious is the fear that mission critical software may not run. Some rely on bespoke applications that perform industry-specific functions, but that were originally coded for Windows 7, Windows Vista or even Windows XP and potentially for the 32-bit versions. They may have already invested in migrating these applications to Windows 7 and be reluctant to go through the whole experience again.

Yet here's the thing: while there may be some troublesome legacy applications that just won't play ball, the vast majority of applications that ran in Windows 7 will run perfectly well in Windows 10 without any active intervention. Microsoft research has shown this to be the case with 99% of Windows 7 apps. What's more, where issues do arise, you have multiple solutions you can use to get those legacy apps up and running.

The Compatibility Troubleshooter

Windows 10 has its own tool for tackling compatibility problems, dubbed the Compatibility Troubleshooter. Enter compatibility as a keyword in the Cortana search bar and you should see an option Run Programs made for previous versions of Windows'. Just select this to run the tool. By default, the tool looks for problem desktop applications and should pick out any potentially incompatible software automatically. If your application isn't listed, you can select Not Listed and enter the location of the relevant .exe file manually. Windows then offers to Try Recommended Settings or Troubleshoot Program. The first option works in many cases, and you can click Test this Program and give your legacy app a decent workout. If it works, you can then save the settings for future use. Otherwise, you can pick the Troubleshoot Program option to help Windows find a different solution based on the behaviour of the app in question. The Compatibility Troubleshooter is a great way to manage compatibility if you're dealing with just a few seats running one or more crucial legacy apps. It doesn't scale so well, however, so if you need to do the same trick across a larger fleet of systems, you may want to look at other routes.

Manual compatibility modes

You can also troubleshoot issues manually yourself; just right-click on the problem .exe file, select Properties and Run this Program in compatibility mode. This allows you to run legacy apps in simulated Windows 7, Windows Vista and even Windows XP or 95 environments, complete with specific service packs. What's more, you can set them to run with admin privileges or at a limited screen resolution, if required (and secure). These settings are saved and relatively easy to apply, making it more straightforward to find a fix and apply it across multiple PCs.

Virtualisation

Another answer is to run those legacy apps within a Windows 7 or Windows XP virtual machine, and there's more than one way to go about this. You could run them within a virtual machine on the desktop using Hyper-V or VirtualBox or use Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to deliver the app to users with appropriate credentials, as and when they need it. Because each VM is isolated and effectively a sandbox, the security risks of running a legacy OS and apps are much reduced.

Alternatively, you can use Microsoft Application Virtualization (or App-V) to deliver old Windows 32-bit applications to your users as virtual applications, installed on centrally managed servers and provided for users on demand. To the users, the experience is basically transparent it looks and feels like the app is running from their own machine but the server-side, virtualised nature makes App-V inherently more secure and manageable. The client is included with Windows 10 Enterprise editions and you can convert legacy apps using the App-V sequencer tool, so it's not as costly or onerous a process as you might think.

Conversion

While it won't work across all legacy apps, many can be converted into Windows 10 Universal Windows Platform apps using the Desktop App Convertor tool. This tool, introduced with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, enables older apps to work just as they used to on the desktop, but interacting with a virtualised file system and registry. To the app, these appear indistinguishable from the actual file system and registry, but because they're virtualised and sandboxed, the app is effectively modernised and rendered more secure.

The IT Pro guide to Windows 10 migration' explores how to plan your migration from Windows 7 and ensure it's a successful transition. Download it here.

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Containerisation

Forward-looking enterprises might also want to consider another option: containerising their legacy apps. This means running them in what's effectively a highly streamlined virtualised environment, containing just the base-level OS components that the app needs to run. This doesn't just improve compatibility and security, but makes the app more portable, allowing it to run just about anywhere that supports the container format including Windows Azure and other clouds. The Modernized Traditional Apps (MTA) initiative the result of a partnership between HPE, Microsoft, Docker and others is designed specifically to help companies move their existing apps to new platforms and the cloud. Meanwhile, Microsoft's AppContainer provides a containerised sandbox for running legacy applications, where the application can only access the resources granted to it and not any others. User credentials are also protected, with each user getting a unique identity dedicated to running that specific app. Again, it's an approach that is more resource-efficient and inherently secure.

Every organisation has its own legacy application millstones to contend with, and each application its own challenges. Which approach you take will depend on the scale of the userbase and the critical importance of the application. In the long term, the best solution is to modernise or redevelop these legacy apps something that could drive further benefits for your business and its workers. But if you just need them back up and running on your old OS, then there's no good reason not to move to Windows 10.

Discover more about HP Elite PCs and Windows 7 to Windows 10 migration

Let's be clear: if security was your one and only reason to migrate to Windows 10, it would be a good one. No sensible organisation wants the risks that go with an unsupported OS. To make it the be-all and end-all of the argument, however, would be to undersell Windows 10. Moving on from Windows 7 to a modern platform could bring in all manner of benefits that go a long way beyond security. Enhanced productivity, mobility and agility are all there for the taking, along with new opportunities to communicate and work together. In particular, by combining a migration to Windows 10 with new hardware, you're poised to transform your company's IT.

New forms, new possibilities

PC design has moved on a lot in the last ten years. Desktop PCs have grown smaller and more energy efficient without sacrificing power. Laptops have embraced new form factors and become slimmer, lighter and better equipped for work away from the desk.

Where Windows 7 was built for an earlier generation of PCs, Windows 10 was designed and has been updated to support the full capabilities of these new machines. With touch-friendly features, Windows Ink and Ink-driven applications, it brings real productivity gains to 2-in-1 convertibles, tablets and touchscreen laptops, with or without an active stylus. This is enabling new applications and whole new mobile user cases which could bring a new flexibility to your teams.

Finally, don't forget that older hardware might limit you in terms of peripherals, networking and storage. Windows 10 is built to take advantage of fast USB 3.1 and USB Type C connectivity, not to mention 802.11ac wireless networking. With older hardware and an old OS, you simply can't take advantage of high-speed networks, fast external storage, high-resolution displays or more efficient mobile docking solutions.

Less wait, more work

Windows 10 flies on any hardware and even more so on the latest laptops and PCs. Even with an old 6th Generation Intel Core processor and a conventional hard disk you can enjoy faster boot times and smoother performance overall. Switch to an 8th Generation Intel processor or AMD Ryzen CPU and an SSD for storage, and you'll have systems that boot in just a few seconds and can handle even the most demanding workloads. That means teams can start their work faster and spend more time being productive and less time waiting for their system to chug into action.

What's more, Windows 10 doesn't make a meal out of authentication. Everyone hates usernames and passwords and enforcing strong password security is many an IT leader's nightmare. Windows 10's Windows Hello supports biometric authentication, including fingerprint, face and iris recognition. With these methods being built into more and more business laptops and desktop peripherals, switching to Windows 10 can take the pain out of signing in.

The ideal interface

Windows 8's touch-friendly UI was controversial, but it came with some usability improvements that highlighted Microsoft's drive to make the most of new devices. With Windows 10 you can have the best of Windows 8 without losing the effective, tried-and-tested desktop look and feel of Windows 7. Live tiles and notifications make crucial information available at a glance. Windows 10 is better-tuned for multi-tasking, thanks to improved virtual desktops and the superbly-implemented Task View. The Action Centre puts key settings at your fingertips, while the Start Menu and Taskbar have never been so customisable. Windows 10's File Explorer makes it easier to find and manage files.

What's more, if your office is ready to use voice then Microsoft's Cortana is the ultimate business-grade assistant, handling Windows tasks and actual business tasks at your command. The business world is still adjusting to voice assistants, but their growth in the consumer sphere is guaranteed to drive take-up in the workplace. With Windows 10, you have everything you need to hop onboard.

The IT Pro guide to Windows 10 migration' explores how to plan your migration from Windows 7 and ensure it's a successful transition. Download it here.

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Cloud ready

Windows 7 was released as the cloud was taking shape. Windows 10 was designed from the ground up to embrace cloud. Microsoft's OneDrive and Office 365 services are fully integrated, along with Skype for Business if you use the latter. Azure Sync makes it easy to manage profiles and login details, so that you can sign on once and access multiple Software-as-a-Service applications.

Meanwhile, new features make it easier to work across devices, so that when you really need to you can head out of the office with a document on your Desktop PC and carry on your work on your laptop when you get home. Cloud integration makes it easier to work when and where you need to. As organisations move more systems to the cloud, Windows 10 has what it takes to support them.

Modern browsing

Windows 7 was built around Internet Explorer a great browser for the time, but no longer adequate for today's web applications or today's security requirements. Windows 10 brings you up to speed with Edge; a more secure browser and purpose-built to deliver a modern, high-speed browser experience with the latest productivity and security features. Edge might be pivoting to use the Chromium codebase, but it's very much focused on providing the most business-ready, Windows-focused browser that there is.

Management and updates

Automatic updates are a big part of the Windows 10 experience, ensuring that everyone stays secure and up-to-date, while providing IT teams with the capabilities to manage how and when those updates are delivered. While some IT leaders see this as a loss of control, it actually helps organisations safeguard their valuable data and reduce IT workloads and TCO. And as Windows 10 gains new capabilities, your organisation will be equipped to use them, without needing to worry about who has had the latest updates and who may have been left behind.

But there's more to Windows management than patching. Tools like Active Directory, Windows System Center Configuration Manager and InTune make it easier to manage and monitor users and PCs on Windows 10. New Windows Analytics tools can be used to gather insights from your IT systems and ensure that users are compliant with your policies. Windows Autopilot makes it easier than ever to ensure that new users or users with new hardware get the apps and services they need to be productive, faster. Managing enterprise IT can be hard work, but Windows 10 has ways to make the burden lighter.

Discover more about HP Elite PCs and Windows 7 to Windows 10 migration

Many companies are still running Windows 7 as their OS of choice but that's a risky strategy as its clock ticks towards end of life. From security concerns to the productivity of your workforce, below are a few good reasons why you shouldn't hold off on your Windows migration plans.

1. You've got a hard deadline

Support for Windows 7 ends on the 14 January 2020. That means no more security updates or patches and no technical support. If something doesn't work, it's your problem. If new exploits emerge, your systems will be vulnerable. With millions of new strains of malware arriving every year, sticking with an unsupported, legacy OS is practically asking for trouble. Do you really want to miss that deadline?

2. You don't want to be a target

Today's internet threat landscape is incredibly hostile. Cryptojacking attacks and ransomware are on the rise, and hackers keep getting better at using legitimate tools for illicit purposes the so-called living off the land' approach; the use of malicious PowerShell scripts increased by 1,000% in 2018. Windows 10 was built and is continually being improved to meet these threats, but Windows 7 wasn't and isn't. What's more, many believe that hackers are hoarding Windows 7 exploits for release once Microsoft support has ended.

Business data has value, and the loss of business data can have a massive negative impact. A 2018 survey by endpoint security specialists Webroot found that a cyber-attack cost UK businesses 305,357 on average. With GDPR businesses also have clear responsibilities to protect customer data, and where the level of fines can depend on the steps an organisation takes to do so, it's not a clever move to keep your systems running an unsupported legacy OS. Meanwhile, many businesses have learnt the hard way that their security is only as good as the security of their suppliers and partners. Is it wise to put your reputation at risk?

4. Migration isn't an overnight job

Migrating a fleet of desktops and laptops to Windows 10 takes time. The process involves a thorough audit and assessment, careful planning, structured project management and preparation. While Microsoft tools can help streamline the upgrade or deployment, rushing any stage can lead to potentially costly mistakes. Getting it right takes months of work, not a major push in the last few weeks.

5. Preparation is everything

Scoping out the situation and deciding on the right approach will get you half of the way there, but a successful migration also requires some preparation. You may need to pilot and test your upgrade process and make sure the right back-end software and services are in place before you start. You also need to know which legacy applications could give you trouble and have solutions in place to get them up and running. The earlier this stuff happens, the smoother the migration will be.

6. You need time for training

With the desktop experience back at its heart, Windows 10 isn't a huge shift from Windows 7, but there are some differences. IT teams will need time to learn how to manage and support the new OS, while business teams will need training and resources to both acclimatise to Windows 10 and get the most out of its extensive new features. Think of this as an essential part of the migration process, not an extra step to slot in later.

The IT Pro guide to Windows 10 migration' explores how to plan your migration from Windows 7 and ensure it's a successful transition. Download it here.

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7. Stronger security, less hassle

Windows 10 is all about delivering stronger security without extra effort on the part of end-users or added work for the IT team. Pair Windows Hello secure authentication with biometric sensors and you have simple, single sign-on that's more secure than a password and just works. A more secure browser will guard users against internet-based threats, while intelligent systems and automatic updates protect against new dangers as and when they emerge. The sooner your company is on-board with this stuff, the better its security will be.

8. Enhanced productivity

Migrating to Windows 10 isn't just about avoiding a security nightmare, but also gaining all the productivity and usability benefits of a modern, cloud-friendly OS. From improved multi-tasking to integrated cloud-services and the Cortana personal assistant, there are dozens of ways in which Windows 10 can help your teams get more done more effectively and help you move your IT forward into a new era of computing.

9. Hardware support

Sure, Windows 10 works well on older hardware but it also opens up a world of faster networking and storage, high-resolution displays and high-performance computing, making full use of today's multi-core processors and powerful GPUs. If you want to give your teams the latest technology to work with, Windows 10 is the smarter choice.

10. It's time for a refresh

Migration can mean more than just a software upgrade it could mean moving to new PCs and new form factors that empower new ways of working. Could 2-in-1 convertibles with an all-day battery life make your mobile workers more effective? Could new, more powerful thin-and-light laptops help you adopt more flexible (and cost-effective) working practices? Perhaps it's high time you found out.

Discover more about HP Elite PCs and Windows 7 to Windows 10 migration

Everything is an app these days and for the biggest technology companies, app libraries are huge assets. From Apple's App Store to Google Play, having a place to purchase and download apps is an essential part of their services.

Microsoft has its own app store where Windows 10 apps can be downloaded on to any device, whether that's a smartphone, a hybrid machine, a laptop, a desktop or even your Xbox, the apps work in pretty much the same way and making it probably the most flexible computing platform around.

What's interesting about this is that the core architecture of Windows 10 is the same across all devices, re-scaling apps work pretty seamlessly and there are lots to choose from. Despite the fact it looks and acts very differently from its predecessor. Also, most Windows 8 apps can still be used as they were on the legacy platform.

Instead of requiring all apps to be re-built, Microsoft allowed developers to port their existing apps across and tag on extra Windows 10 functionality. As they were deployed. Which means that if you've got an app, that you love in Windows 8, or Windows 8.1, you'll be chuffed to see the UI and way it works hasn't changed since its move.

There's a wide selection of apps and desktop programs for you to start using with Windows 10, and we've rounded up the best offering available right now. This list will be updated with new entries, as the Windows 10 library continues to grow.

Getting started

A handy guide for new users, Get Started uses slideshows and video tutorials to walk you through the new platform.

It's a useful feature considering the new OS was released in July 2015, and represents quite a departure from operating systems like Windows 7, which many are more familiar with.

Just type Get Started into the search bar to pull up the app and scroll through the tabs on the left to pick a feature you want to learn about.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Price: Free

If you don't want to splash out on the full version of Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe PhotoShop Express is a great free alternative that will help you edit and refine pictures. It's been specifically designed for touchscreens, including mobile devices, tablets and notebooks, with an intuitive interface.

If you just want to crop or resize images, it's pretty straightforward to do so, by using a few taps and touches with your finger. There are a few different filters and looks you can add to pictures and there are plenty of other refinements, including flip and straighten photos, remove red-eye, add a vignette or remove spots and blemishes available for touching up photos quickly. If you're pushed for time, you can just apply all the auto settings to improve your pictures with as little effort as possible.

Of course, it's no replacement for the full version of the program, but if you just need to use photo editing software now and again and don't need to do anything too advanced, it's a must-download for your Windows 10 device.

For access to the best features and to link your photo library to the application, you'll be prompted to set up and Adobe ID or login using your Facebook or Google account, but it's no burden and means everything is saved in one place.

Slack for Windows 10

Publisher: Slack

Price: Free

Slack is one of the most popular communication and collaboration services on the internet. It allows team members to chat with each other in real time and offers a more productive experience over the humble email.

You can share and edit documents and collaborate with the right people all in Slack. It integrates into your workflow, the tools and services you already use including Google Drive, Salesforce, Dropbox, Asana, Twitter, Zendesk, and more.

Dropbox

Publisher: Dropbox

Price: Free

Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud storage services. It enables you to take photos, docs, and videos anywhere and share them. Any file saved to Dropbox can be accessed from any computers, phones, tablets, and on the web.

Pictures and videos can be viewed as a grid, while documents can be viewed as a list. First-time users signing up to the service get 2GB of free storage, which can be upgraded for free by completing a number of tasks (such as referring friends) or alternatively you can pay real money for extra storage.

OneDrive

Publisher: Microsoft Corp

Price: Free

OneDrive is Microsoft's flagship cloud storage app. Compatible with your Windows 10 PC, Windows Phone, Surface tablet, and other devices, it allows you to store your files and sync them across all of your devices. So whether it's crucial Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents for work, a selection of MP3s for an upcoming trip, or those holiday photos you want to share with friends and family, OneDrive can help you. It also integrates with Office 365, and offers additional features to business users.

Drawboard PDF

Publisher: Drawboard

Price: 9.99 incl. VAT

Drawboard PDF is an app supported on Windows 10 which allows the user to open, read and save multiple PDF documents as well as create new PDFs directly from the app. Through the app, the user is able to markup and annotate these PDF documents in ways such as underlining, highlighting, writing, or even drawing directly on the PDFs by using either a stylus or their finger. The app also lets you bookmark, print, search, and share PDFs with others, making both finding a specific PDF and working collaboratively on one much easier.

Additionally, with in-app purchases, you can upgrade to the Drawboard PDF Pro which gives the user even more ways to work with PDFs with features such as the Document Builder, Calibrated Annotations, Linear and Area Measurements, a Surface Dial compatible Protractor and Ruler, and Grid and Line templates and overlays.

Flipboard

Publisher: Flipboard, Inc

Price: Free

Flipboard allows its users to create their own personalised magazine to catch up on the news they are interested in as well as browse articles, videos, and photos their friends are sharing.

It works by letting the users search for and save topics that interest them such as people, topics, hashtags, blogs. They can also search for and save sources they enjoy such as People magazine or The New York Times. Once their interests are saved, Flipboard puts it all in one easy to access place.

The app also allows the user to connect with friends by sharing articles, videos, and photos through social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Microsoft Edge

In terms of Killer apps, Microsoft Edge is the new big-ticket item. Replacing Internet Explorer as the default Windows browser, Microsoft has put a lot of effort into sprucing up Edge for the new, internet-centric generation.

One of the most obvious changes is a new visual design, which blends the sparse, stripped-down appearance of Windows 8's touch-optimised Internet Explorer with the added utility seen in rivals like Chrome and Firefox, along with unique annotation tools.

Elsewhere, it's sporting a built-in Pocket or Instapaper-syle reading list, which allows you to save interesting articles for later perusal. There's also a new Reading View, which breaks down and reformats the page to give a basic, uncluttered view of whatever article you're reading.

As a default browser, it's a massive step up from Internet Explorer, and Microsoft now has a viable rival to other companies' more impressive offerings.

Uber

Publisher: Uber Technologies Inc.

Price: Free

Uber has arrived on Windows 10 PCs thanks to the Universal Windows Platform, which lets developers build an app that works across different types of devices.

You can pinpoint your location on your desktop app to request a driver to pick you up, or, if you're too busy, you can just request Cortana to request a cab for you, by saying: "Hey Cortana, get me an uberX to [name an address here]".

If you're already working on your Windows 10 device, it means there's no need to pull out your phone to book a ride.

Additionally by pinning the app to your Start menu, Uber will count down the estimated time of arrival of your taxi.

OneNote

Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

Price: Free

As one of the comparatively recent additions to the Office stable, OneNote is often - unfairly overlooked as a basic note-taking tool. In reality, it can have a surprising amount of functionality outside this.

There's a full suite of drawing tools for use with touchscreens and styluses, so you can handwrite notes as well as type them. In addition to this, you can also record audio via your device microphone and link it to specific sections of your notes for easy reference.

Be warned though the desktop Office 2013 version of OneNote is the one to go for. The app version that comes preinstalled with many Windows machines has its uses, but it's severely lacking in functionality compared to its big brother.

Cortana

Microsoft's answer to the recent wave of digital assistants like Siri and Google Now, Cortana is now built into Windows 10 on desktops. Like all DAs, it works best in conjunction with a paired phone on the same ecosystem, but Cortana is still useful even if you're on Android or iOS.

By default, Cortana appears as a search box just next to the start button on the taskbar. From there, you can search your computer and the internet, just like in Windows 8. However, Cortana will also organise your appointments, giving you context-sensitive reminders based on time, place or contacts.

Through machine learning, Cortana utilises your search history and other data to learn more about your likes and dislikes, building an intelligent profile of what to suggest to you in its notebook.

Naturally, it's got voice-activation options via the hey Cortana' keyphrase and Microsoft claims that it can understand more natural speech patterns than competitors. It's a useful tool purely on desktop, but it'll be a downright essential once Windows 10 arrives on phones.

Twitter Moments

Twitter updated its Windows 10 app in December 2015 to include Moments, a feature that enables you to see the highest trending stories of the day.

Moments lets you browse conversations, video clips and pictures to check out the latest news relevant to you, and when you find a subject that piques your interest, you can follow it, with Twitter curating the best tweets about it to send to your feed.

Microsoft Word Mobile

Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

Price: Free

Most people may be more familiar with its full-fat Office cousin, but unlike OneNote, the app version of Microsoft Word is actually our favourite of the two.

Like with all the mobile-friendly Office apps, Word is a lot more slimmed down compared to the desktop version. However, while this means a loss of functionality for many apps, for word it actually results in a much more streamlined experience.

Some of the more fine-grained control is gone, but all the core options and elements remain intact. Font and paragraph options are present and correct, as well as change tracking and media insertion tools.

For the day-to-day needs of most users, the Word app is a perfect lightweight document editor, with a clean layout and a great set of cloud syncing tools to boot.

Xbox

Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

Price: Free

Consider this a must-have for any Xbox gamer. Through the Xbox app, Windows 10 now includes functionality for streaming games from an Xbox One directly to a PC, without the need for a high-end processor or graphics card.

Gamers no longer need to be confined to the bedroom or living room while playing their favourite games. Streaming to a Windows 10 laptop, games can be taken anywhere, as long as you're within range of your home WiFi network.

The app can also be used to capture game footage through the Game DVR system, then browsed and uploaded remotely. Acting as a Facebook-esque social hub for all your gaming activity, the Xbox app is a real leap forward for cross-platform support.

This article was originally created on 21 July 2015. It was last updated on 10 May 2019

Windows 10 at-a-glance

Windows 10 launched globally on 29 July 2015 and was touted as "the last version of Windows", marking the end of decades of occasional heavy duty OS updates in favour of a more incremental approach. Here's our round-up of everything you need to know about Windows 10.

Read our full review of Windows 10 here

Windows 10 latest news

10/05/19: Windows PowerToys customisation project returns in open source guise

Microsoft is bringing back its PowerToys open source project for Windows 10, which gives so-called power users the means to tune, streamline and customise their experience with the operating system.

Originally introduced with Windows 95 to give engineers the tools to test new features for Windows, PowerToys was dropped from the operating system after Windows XP, as Bill Gates wanted there to be more of a focus on Windows security rather than masses of features.

But now the PowerToys toolset will return in open source form on GitHub, which Microsoft recently acquired, and will allow anyone with technical nous to create and contribute tools and features to Windows 10.

"Inspired by the Windows 95 era PowerToys project, this reboot provides power users with ways to squeeze more efficiency out of the Windows 10 shell and customize it for individual workflows," Microsoft said on GitHub.

Microsoft's first two utilities in PowerToys will include a tool to maximise app windows into new desktop screens and the ability to create custom shortcuts for when the Windows key is held down for more than a second. It also has a list of utilities its considering adding into PowerToys, including things like a battery tracker and the ability to re-name files in batches.

And by open-sourcing PowerToys, Microsoft hopes it will garner feedback and contributions for the open source community and thus build out PowerToys for Windows 10.

08/05/19: Full-blooded Linux kernel shipping with future Windows 10 builds

Microsoft will include a fully-fledged Linux module into future editions of Windows 10 for the first time, beginning with Windows insiders builds this summer.

The developers will support the next version of its Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) with a custom-built in-house Linux kernel, to be included as a core component of the operating system in the future.

The kernel underpinning the WSL2 update will be based on Linux version 4.19, which Microsoft describes as the "latest long-term stable release". When this is ready, it'll be made available through either the Windows store or can be "sideloaded" through creating a custom distribution package.

"This is the culmination of years of effort from the Linux Systems Group as well as multiple other teams across Microsoft," said Microsoft's program manager for the Linux Systems Group Jack Hammons.

"We are excited to be able to share the result and look forward to the new and interesting ways in which you will use WSL."

A number of local patches will also be applied to the code that makes up WSL1, resulting in improved launch times, reduced memory footprint and curating a minimal set of supported devices.

Microsoft says the next iteration of WSL serves as a "drop-in replacement" for the emulation architecture that was at the heart of the previous version.

Meanwhile, the Linux kernel in WSL2 will be fully open source, with instructions on how users can build their own WSL kernels to be published on Github in future.

05/04/2019: Microsoft overhauls Windows 10 updates to avoid broken releases

Microsft will overhaul the way it deploys its biannual Windows 10 upgrades in light of the high-profile April and October 2018 Update disasters.

Conventionally, Microsoft would initiate updates on Windows 10 machines automatically once its data indicated that users would enjoy a safe and frictionless experience. But starting with its next major flagship upgrade version 1903, which will be released on 10 May, users will instead be notified that the update is available to download and install.

Moreover, these big feature updates can now be initiated independently to essential security updates downloaded via the check for updates mechanism. Updates can also be deferred for up to 35 days.

This is in addition to several major changes around the processes Microsoft employes to ensure development and release goes smoothly. This includes an extended preview stage, and added machine learning capabilities to flag any potential issues.

A public Windows release health dashboard, meanwhile, will communicate key decisions clearly and frequently, according to Microsoft. This interface will resemble the Windows 10 Update History page, but features near real-time information on the rollout status and known issues across both major and minor updates.

"We believe the steps we've taken provide Windows customers more choice and control on updates while continuing to enhance our focus on quality," said Microsoft's corporate vice president Mike Fortin.

"With a more robust and longer Release Preview and further investments in machine learning for both high-severity issue detection and our next generation of intelligent rollout, our goal is to provide the best, transparent Windows update experience."

Microsoft hopes the May 2019 Update will mark a step-change from the notoriety gained following the April and October 2018 releases, which were collectively riddled with several catastrophic bugs and deployment troubles.

Last spring's release, version 1803, caused a handful of machines to experience the infamous 'blue screen of death', or sparked reboot problems, within 24 hours of installation.

This pales against a litany of issues users encountered with October's version 1809, the most significant being a critical file-deletion bug. These errors led Microsoft to suspend its initial deployment, then later re-releasing the update, suspending it a second time, releasing it for Windows Insiders, then making it publicly available a third time in mid-November.

But this third release was only available for users to manually download themselves by checking for updates, with Microsoft not deeming the upgrade safe enough to deploy automatically until just last week.

The May 2019 Update will become available in its release preview stage from next week, with Windows Insiders gaining access to the new features over the next month. This will then become generally available to Windows 10 users via the new 'download and install now' mechanism from late May.

Microsoft has recommended that IT administrators begin validating the apps, devices and infrastructure used by their organisations to ensure they work well with the release before deploying version 1903 broadly.

29/03/2019: Microsoft deems Windows 10 October 2018 Update safe for deployment

Months after releasing the first iteration of the botched October 2018 update to Windows 10, Microsoft has designated version 1809 safe enough to release to businesses through its servicing channel.

This major upgrade to the firm's flagship operating system, Windows 10 version 1809, was initially made public in early October last year. But it was recalled and re-released several times over the following months due to a swathe of critical errors.

These include reports of incompatibility with drives, reduced battery life, and a severe file-deletion bug. Further glitches were detected after Microsoft pulled the release and made it available to just Windows Insiders, including a second file-deletion bug that affected compressed ZIP folders.

"Based on the data and the feedback we've received from consumers, OEMs, ISVs, partners, and commercial customers, Windows 10, version 1809 has transitioned to broad deployment," the company said.

"With this, the Windows 10 release information page will now reflect Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) for version 1809. We will continue to communicate for future releases the transition from targeted to broad deployment status."

Although version 1809 was made publicly available again in November, users could only upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10 by manually checking for updates, or via external media.

The company said at the time it would learn from its mistakes in the way it rushed the April 2018 update, and take a phased approach to releasing the October upgrade. And only now has version 1809 been finally declared safe enough for broad deployment across its consumer and business user base.

This decision has incidentally been made just weeks before Microsoft is set to release its next massive upgrade, known as the April 2019 Update, or version 1903.

In the wake of its recent string of upgrade disasters, Microsoft has also begun early testing elements due to be released in a major 2020 upgrade. This was despite testing for the October 2019 update having yet to be commenced at the time of writing.

18/03/2019: Microsoft to roll out Windows 10 'sandbox extension' for Chrome and Firefox

Microsoft has begun testing an in-browser security tool for Chrome and Firefox that serves as a 'sandbox mode' which lets users safely access untrusted websites without fear of infecting their machines.

The Windows Defender Application Guard extension, which already exists for the Edge browser, automatically redirects websites that haven't already been whitelisted to an isolated 'sandbox' environment. This effectively disconnects the browsing session from a user's physical machine and its data and files.

Just as it works on Edge, the extension checks the URL against a list of trusted sites defined by an organisation's enterprise administrator and guides a user to an isolated session. Users can then use this session to freely browse any non-white listed sites without fear of sustaining an infection.

Microsoft is now testing the feature before rolling this out as part of its next major flagship update for Windows 10, dubbed 'April 2019' or 19H1. The extension is currently online live for Windows Insiders, and users will need Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise installations to use the feature when it goes live in Spring.

The browser extension works based on an organisation's group policy, meaning once it's established by a network administrator it can be applied on devices across an entire company. The tool can also be configured by network isolation or application, according to Microsoft's guidelines.

When installed and fully deployed, users will see a Windows Defender Application Guard landing page when they open either Chrome or Firefox. Then, during the normal browsing experience, non-whitelisted URLs will open in a new Application Guard window. Users can also initiate a sandbox session themselves by toggling a switch in the menu settings.

However, the extension won't open this 'sandbox' session in a user's native browser of choice, i.e. Chrome or Firefox, but on an isolated Edge tab, meaning they will be forced into using Edge when browsing untrusted sites if their organisation implements the tool.

The extension is among a suite of security features Microsoft has been developing for enterprise users. Microsoft has also recently extended the idea of 'sandboxing' the user experience to desktop browsing, with this idea making its way into a future feature for Windows 10.

The Windows Sandbox desktop tool, which is currently being tested, will launch enterprise users into a virtual machine-like desktop environment when running suspicious software.

It will allow users to run applications in a clean Windows 10 installation in a windowed application, without having to run a fully-fledged virtual machine, eliminating the risk of opening potentially malicious apps on a work machine.

14/03/2019: Windows 10 can automatically uninstall fault-causing updates

Windows 10 may be able to remove dodgy updates from computers if they cause bugs, Microsoft has revealed in the latest version of its Windows Insider build.

If, after installing an update on your machine, your computer runs into problems and automatic recovery attempts are unable to rectify it, Windows 10 can automatically remove them. The feature could be used by devices that refuse to start up after a new update is installed.

Microsoft suggested non-booting errors could be caused by "disk issues, system file corruption, invalid registry keys, or other such causes."

Although Windows 10 updates are extensively tested before being rolled out to consumers, sometimes these bug fixes can result in issues caused by specific software running on the computer or driver incompatibilities. This could potentially brick a device, especially if those updates are rolled out automatically.

In this case, your Windows 10 machine will show the message "We removed some recently installed updates to recover your device from a startup failure."

After the update has been removed, Microsoft will block the update from being applied again within 30 days. Presumably, the company would have fixed the bug and the update will install seamlessly.

"To ensure that your device can start up and continue running as expected, Windows will also prevent problematic updates from installing automatically for the next 30 days," Microsoft said.

"This will give Microsoft and our partners the opportunity to investigate the failure and fix any issues. After 30 days, Windows will again try to install the updates."

05/03/2019: Privacy watchdog calls for Windows 10 to stop uploading encryption keys to Microsoft

Privacy watchdog Fix it Already has called for Microsoft to stop its Windows 10 platform from sharing encryption keys.

Although only a problem with the Windows 10 Home Edition, the campaign launched by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) wants the process of sharing keys with Microsoft to be eradicated, enforcing that the disk encryption key is only shared with users.

Fix it Already said Microsoft is unfairly treating users of Home Edition because both Enterprise and Pro editions of its platform work differently and encryption keys aren't shared with the company at all.

"Windows 10 Home Edition does come with a built-in encryption solution, but only for some users. Called 'Device Encryption', it only works if you have certain hardware and if you sign into your computer with a Microsoft accountwhich means you have to trust Microsoft with the backup keys. This is bad encryption design by Microsoft: users should never have to give their encryption keys to a third-party," explained the EFF.

Although giving the key to Microsoft means users are able to recover data, even if the backup is lost, those keys could be exposed if a data breach occurs and this means hackers could potentially steal information stored on user computers.

"Other versions of Windows 10 don't require you to back up your key to Microsoft's servers," the watchdog continued. "And some Windows 10 Home users may find it helpful to have a backup key stored on Microsoft's servers, so that they can recover the contents of their computers even if they forget their passwords. But other users may have different concerns, and may not be technically savvy enough to remove the backup key and generate a new one."

It now wants Microsoft to update Home Edition to be in line with its business products.

22/02/2019: Microsoft unleashes Office app for Windows 10

Microsoft has formally announced its Office app for Windows 10, helping Windows 10 users organise and access their documents, apps and files on demand, even if they aren't paying for the company's full-fat productivity suite.

It's an update to the former My Office app and will come preinstalled on Windows 10 machines, allowing users to access the power of Office, even if they don't have an Office 365 subscription and are using the free version of Office Online.

If the user has Microsoft's productivity applications installed on their device, it will open from the Office app, but if they don't, they will be taken to the online version of Office, where they are able to read and edit files.

The Office app will also keep track of the most-used documents so they can be accessed faster and from a centralised place. As is the case with rival Google Drive, these are pinned to the opening screen of Office, where you can also view files shared with you by others in a few clicks.

In future, Microsoft will introduce extra capabilities for IT administrators, including the ability to brand it with their organisation's logo and colour scheme, access third-party apps using AAD and integrate Microsoft Search so users can use a single dashboard to find documents and people from across the organisation.

"The Office app provides users with a simple experience that helps them get to what they need quickly whether that's an app, a document, or even a person in your organization," Microsoft's Bill Doll wrote in a blog post.

15/02/2019: Windows 10 begins early testing for major 2020 upgrade

Microsoft has announced it has begun beta testing a major Windows 10 upgrade due in 2020 despite the operating system's next two flagship updates still months from release.

Windows Insiders who have opted into the 'skip ahead' developer programme will be granted access to a new build, dubbed "20H1", in order to test features not due for release until next year.

This timetable is especially premature considering the next major upgrade, due in April, is just reaching the "nearly finished and ready" development stage, and the update after that, due in October, won't begin testing until this point.

The decision to begin assessing certain elements of 20H1 at this stage was made, however, because these features require a "longer lead time", the firm's head of the Windows Insider Program Dona Sarkar said in a blog post.

"As is normal with builds early in the development cycle, builds may contain bugs that might be painful for some," Sarkar said. "If you take this flight, you won't be able to switch back to the Fast or Slow rings without doing a clean-install on your PC and starting over.

"We will begin releasing 19H2 bits to Insiders later this spring after we get 19H1 nearly finished and ready; once 19H1 is "nearly finished and ready" we'll also use the Release Preview ring for previews of drivers and quality updates on 19H1."

Microsoft hasn't announced any of the new features expected in the Windows 10 2020 update, and has warned developers who have opted in to test this build that they should expect a greater level of instability.

The decision to test 20H1 far earlier than expected also comes in light of Microsoft's sequentially botched Windows 10 upgrades last year. Both the April 2018 and October 2018 updates encountered severe difficulties and brought disruption to many Windows users.

The April 2018 update, for instance, wasn't fully released until a week after it was initially slated to appear, because developers discovered a critical 'blocking bug' that could have caused millions to experience the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).

The issues that blighted the October 2018 update were on a far grander scale, however, with a series of critical bugs, including two separate file-deleting glitches, causing massive disruption to its rollout.

The October update didn't see the light of day, as far as general users were concerned, until mid-November, with Microsoft having initially released it on 3 October only to pull it a few days later.

21/01/2019: Microsoft sets end-of-life date for Windows 10 Mobile

Windows 10 Mobile, once touted as a competitor to Android and iOS, will no longer receive critical security updates from December this year as Microsoft sounded its final death knell.

From 10 December 2019, Microsoft's mobile operating system (OS) will no longer receive any security updates or hotfixes for free, with Windows 10 Mobile users recommended to migrate to iPhone or Android devices.

Microsoft quietly announced the news in an update to its Windows Mobile FAQs, saying that all support for both its OS, as well as Windows 10 Mobile devices such as the discontinued Windows Lumia, will be withdrawn.

"Technology has evolved along with the needs and expectations of your customers and partners who have already adopted Android or iOS platforms and devices," Redmond said in its FAQs.

"Microsoft's mission statement to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, compels us to support our Mobile apps on the supported Android and iOS devices."

The December 2019 end-date applies for both consumer and enterprise customers, Microsoft confirmed, with business users encouraged to contact their account team with the firm for any further questions.

Its decision to kill off support for its flagship smartphone OS may not come as a surprise given the last major update, version 1709, was released more than a year ago in October 2017. Moreover, Windows 10 Mobile's market share for December 2018 stood at a paltry 0.33%, according to Statcounter figures. This, for reference, is against Android's 74.36%.

Windows Phone OS never truly took off in the same manner as Google's competing platform since its first iteration, Windows Phone 7, was released in October 2010.

Microsoft has now seemingly killed off its entire venture into the Mobile OS market with end-of-life for Windows 10 Mobile's latest version set for just under a year from now. Devices serviced by the previous version 1703, however, will reach end-of-life far sooner, on 11 June 2019. Support for device backups, meanwhile, will end on 10 March 2020.

Windows 10 Mobile has undergone a slow and drawn-out death, with Microsoft gradually decommissioning its mobile platform in small and incremental ways. For instance, a number of apps pertinent to the workplace such as Teams and Skype for Business were pulled from the Microsoft Store in May last year.

The decision to pull support for these apps, which Microsoft explained at the time by suggesting "we are not focused on building new features for the system", was seen at the time as indicative of Windows 10 Mobile's inevitable demise.

18/01/2019: Microsoft will purge Cortana from Windows 10 search box

Microsoft has revealed it will be splitting Cortana and search in the latest build of Windows 10, so voice searches are handled separately from text-based searches in the Windows taskbar.

The change is likely to appear in the April Windows 40 update, the next scheduled major release.

From that update, anyone wanting to search their computer for a file or folder will be directed to the text-based search tool, while those wanting to use voice-based searches will use a new Cortana voice UI instead.

"This change is one of several we've made throughout this release to improve your experience in this space, including updating the search landing page design, enhancing your search results, and integrating Microsoft To-Do with Cortana," said Microsoft.

Presumably, these changes have been made following extensive research into how people use Cortana and text-based searches differently. It will allow Microsoft to focus on improving the accuracy of text-based searches without getting caught up in voice recognition too.

"... decoupling Search and Cortana in the taskbar [will] enable each experience to innovate independently to best serve their target audiences and use cases," said Microsoft.

Microsoft testers enrolled in the company's Windows Insider scheme have already been playing around with the update in their preview build for the last few weeks and apparently the tech giant has had some encouraging feedback on the decision.

"For those new to this update, when it rolls out to you, you'll find clicking the search box in the taskbar now launches our experience focused on giving you the best in house search experience and clicking the Cortana icon will launch you straight into our voice-first digital assistant experience," Microsoft said.

19/12/2018: Microsoft reveals Windows Sandbox' mode for Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise users

Microsoft has announced a new security feature that will allow its professional and enterprise users to run suspicious programmes in complete isolation.

The new desktop tool, dubbed Windows Sandbox, will create a virtual machine-like desktop environment that can allow users to run any software, regardless of how harmful it is, without risking lasting impact on their device.

A form of sandbox-style 'private desktop' tool has been in the works for months, with Windows Insiders previously finding evidence for a VM environment in August, at the time dubbed 'InPrivate Desktop'.

"How many times have you downloaded an executable file, but were afraid to run it?" said Microsoft's lead program manager in the Windows Core Kernal Platform Hari Pulapaka, writing in a blog post.

"Have you ever been in a situation which required a clean installation of Windows, but didn't want to set up a virtual machine?

"At Microsoft, we regularly encounter these situations, so we developed Windows Sandbox: an isolated, temporary, desktop environment where you can run untrusted software without the fear of lasting impact to your PC."

Windows Sandbox will be packaged into Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise build 18305 or newer, by default, and runs in complete isolation to a user's machine.

Running the tool will be like opening a clean install of Windows 10 in a windowed application, with everything done within this isolated environment wiped completely upon shutting the app.

Moreover, the tool uses hardware-based virtualisation, relying on Microsoft's hypervisor, which creates Windows virtual machines, to run Windows Sandbox separately from the host.

Users will also need to have AMD64 architecture, virtualisation capabilities enabled in the BIOS, minimum 4GB RAM (8GB recommended) 1GB hard disk space (SSD recommended), and a processor with at least 2 CPU cores (4 with hyperthreading recommended).

"Any software installed in Windows Sandbox stays only in the sandbox and cannot affect your host," Pulapaka continued. "Once Windows Sandbox is closed, all the software with all its files and state are permanently deleted."

Windows Sandbox is currently subject to testing, with users welcome to provide feedback via a specified hub.

27/11/2018: Microsoft breaks Windows 10 again in latest update

The ill-fated Windows 10 version 1809 seems to have been released with more problems after it was discovered that the latest update breaks Windows Media Player.

This latest issue adds to the current woes the upgrade has experienced. Spotted by Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrott, the bug leaves users unable to use the Seek Bar in Windows Media Player when playing specific files.

In a recently updated Microsoft support document note, the firm said it was "working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release."

Not only do bugs affect Windows Media Player in the latest release, it appears that the update means some users are unable to set Win32 program defaults for certain app and file type combinations. Microsoft said as far as this issue is concerned it was "working on a resolution and estimates a solution will be available in late November 2018."

The current Windows 10 October 2018 update is also blocked from installing on some Intel-based PCs due to faulty drivers. According to this web page, Intel inadvertently released versions 24.20.100.6344 and 24.20.100.6345 of its display drivers, which "accidentally turned on unsupported features in Windows".

"After updating to Windows 10, version 1809, audio playback from a monitor or television connected to a PC via HDMI, USB-C, or a DisplayPort may not function correctly on devices with these drivers," it said.

This has led to Microsoft blocking version 1809 for systems using these display drivers. Microsoft has not disclosed when the 1809 update will be available for users of affected systems.

In the meantime, users running iCloud for Windows have also reported issues with the latest update. It appears that Apple has identified an incompatibility with iCloud for Windows (version 7.7.0.27) that may cause users to have issues updating or synching Shared Albums after updating to Windows 10, version 1809.

"Users who attempt to install iCloud for Windows (version 7.7.0.27) on Windows 10, version 1809 will see a message stating that this version of iCloud for Windows isn't supported, and the installation will fail," said Microsoft.

It has also blocked devices with iCloud for Windows (version 7.7.0.27) software installed from being offered Window 10, version 1809 until this issue has been resolved.

14/11/2018: Microsoft resumes rollout of ill-fated October 2018 Update

Microsoft has resumed the rollout of its October 2018 Update six weeks after it was first made available and subsequently pulled due to a number of serious flaws.

Version 1809, released on 3 October, was pulled just a few days later after reports of incompatibility issues with drivers, reduced battery life, and a file-deletion bug. Subsequent testing by Windows Insiders uncovered a series of further glitches, including a ZIP file-deletion bug.

The firm has assured users any document-deletion errors, in which entire folders were wiped in the most extreme cases, were resolved following extensive user-testing by Windows Insiders, and data analysis from "millions of devices".

"Based on this data, today we are beginning the re-release of the October Update by making it available via media and to advanced users who seek to manually check for updates," said Microsoft's partner director of program management John Cable.

"As with all Windows releases, we will continue to carefully study the results, feedback and diagnostic data before we begin offering the update in phases to more devices in the coming weeks and months."

With this year's April Update seeing a very quick rollout, Cable added, the company decided to take a more measured approach in releasing its October package to consumer and business users.

Microsoft is advising users to wait for version 1809 to be made available to their machines as part of a phased approach, with the option still there to manually download via "Check for Updates". This is so the company can study device health data and release quick fixes.

"For those advanced users seeking to install the update early by manually using "Check for updates" in settings," Cable added, "know that we are slowly throttling up this availability, while we carefully monitor data and feedback."

Microsoft says it can establish whether a user's device has any driver incompatibility issues prior to downloading the October Update, and automatically block installation until the issue is resolved. The company has also promised a status dashboard within the next year that will provide more information on any issues that lead to update blocks.

The 30-month support lifecycle for the Education and Enterprise iterations of version 1809 will begin from 13 November, meanwhile, as will Windows 10 Pro's 18-month support lifecycle.

Microsoft has also released several tools for enterprises including an assessment and deployment kit (Windows ADK) for large-scale Windows deployment, and a 90-day enterprise evaluation kit for users to test Windows 10 Enterprise in their environments.

01/11/2018: Windows 10 October Update fixes compressed file-deletion bug

Microsoft has released a fix for a bug found in the Windows 10 October Update that led to users to inadvertently overwriting files when moving them from compressed folders.

Redmond yesterday released a cumulative update to the maligned version 1809, currently just available for Windows Insiders, that fixed the compressed files bug, as well as a separate issue that caused roaming profiles to not work correctly.

The bug affected the built-in ZIP tool in Windows File Explorer when users moved files from a compressed folder, to another folder containing files with the same name.

A dialogue box asking users whether they wish to replace an identical file, skip, or compare information failed to show, and skipped these files by default.

Because files would 'skip', cutting-and-pasting them meant users would have inadvertently deleted the files they had wished to move across. Users who copy-and-pasted compressed files could have been given the impression their files were seamlessly copied over, before subsequently deleting the compressed folder.

The fix, released with Build 17763.107 (KB4464455), was promised for "early November" when Microsoft first acknowledged the prevalence of this issue last week. Microsoft had initially warned users with version 1809 not to cut and paste items from compressed folders.

This has been released following a previous update to the current Windows 10 iteration, version 1803, which fixed up to 40 separate bugs including a handful of Bluetooth errors and glitches that enterprise admins had complained update.

Update 1809 meanwhile has been ridden with several errors since Microsoft first began rolling it out at the beginning of October, including a high-profile file-deletion error.

This led to Microsoft pulling the October Update entirely in order to correct the issues, before undergoing a second roll-out to Windows Insiders.

The major update is still only available to Windows Insiders, who continue testing the operating system for any further bugs, and there is no concrete word as to when it will again be made generally available.

19/10/2018: Next Windows 10 update will let people uninstall some native apps

The next Windows 10 update will allow users to uninstall most built-in apps that they do not regularly use or want taking up space on their desktop or laptop.

Microsoft revealed it will be debuting the feature in the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18262, which is currently being rolled out to members of the Windows Insiders scheme.

As such, the feature is highly likely to be part of the next major update Microsoft will push out to all its Windows 10 users.

With Windows 10, Microsoft has arguably been rather draconian in pushing features to its operating system users who may not have wanted them yet Redmond considers to be core to the Windows 10 experience.

But it looks like Microsoft is changing its stance somewhat and will allow apps such as the Calculator, Groove Music, Paint 3D, Sticky Notes, and Mail to be easily removed without opting for some complicated workarounds.

However, some apps look to be firmly cemented in Windows 10, with Cortana, Edge and the Microsoft Store remaining fully locked down in Redmond's latest operating system.

Nevertheless, introducing such an uninstall option gives Windows 10 users more flexibility with what they can do in the operating system. And following the Insiders' testing, there is scope for Microsoft to learn from that testing and potentially allow users to eventually uninstall more native apps they do not want in their take on Windows 10.

10/10/2018: Windows 10 October update starts second roll-out

Microsoft is relaunching a tweaked version of its latest Windows 10 update, after fixing issues that caused a previous build to accidentally delete users' data.

The rollout of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) was halted last week, following reports that it was deleting the files and data of some users - although Microsoft's director of programme management for Windows Servicing and Delivery John Cable said in a blog post that reported cases of data loss were only "one one-hundredth of 1%" of installs.

Now, after having "identified and fixed all known issues in the update, and conducted internal validation", Microsoft is re-releasing the update to the public. As with all updates, it will be rolling out to Windows Insiders first before going into general release, and Cable said that the company will be closely monitoring the feedback and telemetry from Insiders before the update is put into mainstream release.

Cable's blog post also revealed that the file deletion problem that halted that original version of the update was caused when users have Known Folder Redirection enabled, but also have files still remaining in the old, pre-redirection folder location.

Microsoft has also added a new feature to the Windows Insider Feedback Hub, which it expects to aid in detecting and addressing issues like this in future. When submitting feedback, users can now indicate the severity of the issue, hopefully allowing Microsoft to identify problems that are severe in impact, but low in frequency.

08/10/2018: Microsoft pulls buggy Windows 10 update amid file recovery confusion

Microsoft has officially pulled the latest Windows 10 Update, after reports surfaced that the upgrade process was unexpectedly wiping files and documents from users' computers.

The Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) has been indefinitely shelved while Microsoft investigates the issue, which reportedly affects Windows 10 Enterprise, IoT and Windows Server products as well as Microsoft's desktop software.

Dona Sarkar, who leads Microsoft's Windows Insider program, advised any affected users to get in touch with Microsoft's support department, stating that "they have the tools to get you back to a good state". The company's support page for the issue also advises any impacted users to "minimize [their] use of the affected device".

Sarkar's Tweet led some to believe that Microsoft has cooked up a special tool to recover users' data, but this does not appear to be the case. Affected users who have called the support line have reported that Microsoft's support agents are relying on established all-purpose data recovery techniques like System Restore points and NTFS File Recovery.

Microsoft has not specified what's causing the issue, and has not indicated when the update will be made available for users to install again but has promised to "provide an update when we resume rolling out the Windows 10 October 2018 Update to customers".

05/10/2018: Windows 10 update plagued with issues a day into release

Just two days after the general release of the Windows 10 October update and users are already reporting serious issues with the software.

Apparently, those who were quick off the mark to upgrade their machines have been plagued with incompatibility issues between the platform and Intel Display Audio drivers (specifically those running the 10.25.0.3-10.25.0.8 drivers).

Users were reporting that their machines were freezing during set up and files and apps kept disappearing into the ether. There didn't seem to be any consistency with which files and apps were disappearing at the time of writing.

Other issues surfacing on social media included reduced battery life too. One person who upgraded said their battery life was dramatically reduced and they were forced to charge their machines much more frequently than before the upgrade.

Microsoft has now prevented those affected by the flaw from downloading the update, although as is always the case with bodged Microsoft upgrades, those that still want to go ahead can override the block and install regardless.

Intel suggested customers with the affected Skylake chips upgrade the drivers to version 10.25.0.10, while Microsoft said anyone wanting to upgrade should wait until it issues a fix staying its update is compatible with their Intel chip, unless they want to go ahead and risk messing up their machines.

03/10/2018: Users can download the October 2018 Update from today

Microsoft is taking a phased approach to rolling out its October 2018 Update to Windows 10 devices, but users who can't wait can manually download the update for themselves from today.

Although the company recommends users wait until it is offered to their devices, 'advanced users' are welcome to begin downloading the latest update by checking for updates in System Settings, and starting the download themselves.

Devices are then subject to a compatibility check, with Microsoft's using tools to detect any potential issues, and blocking the installation process until these are resolved.

"Just as we're immediately beginning rolling out the October Update in phases to consumers," said Microsoft's director of program management, Windows Servicing and Delivery John Cable, "we recommend IT administrators do the same within their organizations to validate that apps, devices, and infrastructure used by their organization work well with the new release before broadly deploying."

The update is now available through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Windows Update for Business (WUfB) and System Center Configuration Manager's (SCCM) phased deployment. Cable also recommended customers use Windows Analytics to guide any phased approach IT administrators take to updating Windows 10 across their organisations.

"For our commercial customers, the release of the Windows 10, version 1809 on October 2, 2018 marks the start of the servicing timeline for the Semi-Annual Channel ("Targeted") release," he added.

"Beginning with this release, all future feature updates of Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions that release around September will have a 30 month servicing timeline."

An infamously disruptive download and installation process is also set to benefit from a raft of changes. For instance, Windows 10 can now understand to a much better extent when a device is not in use, and can perform updates during quiet periods in order to reduce the scope for disruption.

The device can also wake from 'sleep' to perform updates when plugged in overnight and not on battery mode, and silence any audio so as not to wake up users.

Moreover, the installation process has been improved, with Microsoft claiming the time a device spends offline during October 2018 installation is shortened by up to 31% against the April update.

The installation process for smaller downloads, which will benefit from a new update package delivery design, is also 40% more efficient.

14/09/2018: Microsoft accidentally released encrypted version of Windows 10 to users

Windows 10 users were left complaining over high memory usage and installation problems after Microsoft accidentally released an encrypted version of Windows 10.

The Windows 10 19H1 Build 18237 was released to Windows Insiders that opted into "Skip Ahead" versions of the operating system. However, users were quick report problems downloading and installing the OS. Other issues were excessive memory usage and some users reported green screens of death.

In a series of tweets, Microsoft MVP Rafael Rivera, said that Build 18237 was "busted and won't install properly".

"Root of problems seems to stem from a new layer of encryption added to distributed files. Clients get the keys along with the bits so unclear what problem is being solved here," he added.

A tweet from the Windows Insider team said that when they released the build "we unintentionally released it as encrypted".

"This wasn't supposed to go out with an external flight. We have begun re-publishing Build 18237 as unencrypted. We continuing to investigate reports of high memory usage and will monitor to see if the re-published build resolves these issues."

The new preview version of the operating system changes the look of the sign-in screen as part of Microsoft's Fluent Design System. It is a bid by the firm to help users focus more on signing in.

"The translucent texture of this transient surface helps you focus on the sign-in task by moving the actionable controls up in the visual hierarchy while maintaining their accessibility," said Microsoft in a blog post.

Microsoft Apps on Android gets rebranded as Your Phone Companion app in this latest build, if you can download it!

7/9/2018: Microsoft changes Windows 10 updates for businesses

Microsoft is changing its support cycle for businesses running Windows 10, after responding to feedback.

Currently, two major Window 10 updates are sent out each year and businesses have 18 months before they need to move from one to another more recent update.

This is part of Microsoft's "Windows as a service" push, and it's designed to ensure Windows 10 gets new features instead of the previous three-year cycle for Windows releases.

However, some businesses have said the updates came to fast and that IT departments needed more time and flexibility to the updates.

"You've been talking, and we've been listening," said Jared Spataro, corporate vice president of Microsoft 365. "Specifically, we've heard your feedback on desktop deployment, and we're working hard to introduce new capabilities, services, and policies to help you on your way.

"The combination of Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus delivers the most productive, most secure end-user computing experience available. But we recognize that it takes time to both upgrade devices and operationalize new update processes."

The new updates will have cloud-based analytics tools to make modern desktop deployment even easier, a program to ensure app compatibility for upgrades and updates of Windows and Office and servicing and support changes to give you additional deployment flexibility.

"We know that there is still a lot of work to do," added Spataro. "But we're committed to working with you and systematically resolving any issues. We'd love to hear your thoughts and look forward to seeing you and discussing in more detail in the keynotes and sessions at Ignite in a few weeks!"

03/09/2018: Windows 10 Redstone 5 update coming October

Microsoft has revealed its Windows 10 Redstone 5 update will be landing in October and will officially be called the Windows 10 October 2018 Update.

The company hasn't revealed which specific date the update will appear on, but said it will arrive to users in a staggered roll-out to make sure those able to handle it better get it first.

This particular update will introduce a range of goodies including a cloud clipboard so you can copy and paste text and other components between devices seamlessly, a revamped file explorer that will surface 'hidden' files and improvements to Microsoft Edge. If you're a gamer, there are also Xbox Game Bar enhancements and an updated snipping tool for taking screenshots.

According to Microsoft, 700 million people around the world are using Windows 10, although this doesn't seem to take into account any new users because Microsoft's figures have stayed pretty static for six months.

Now the Redstone 5 update is ready to go, Microsoft engineers can push on with the next update - known as 19H1 - and prep that ready for launch. Apparently, it's already being tested, with it due to distribute to testers in March next year, with a release date of April.

09/08/2018: 'InPrivate Desktop' coming to Windows 10 Enterprise

Microsoft is working on a new security feature for Windows 10 Enterprise that will allow network administrators to run untrusted applications in a secure environment.

The new desktop feature, dubbed 'InPrivate Desktop', was revealed in a response to a feedback challenge, known as 'quests', through the Windows Insider Feedback Hub, seen by Bleeping Computer.

Aimed at bolstering Windows 10's security outlay, the tool will allow IT administrators to execute untrusted apps without risking permanent modifications to their system in a virtual machine-style environment.

"InPrivate Desktop (Preview) provides admins a way to launch a throwaway sandbox for secure, one-time execution of untrusted software," a preview of the new feature said. "This is basically an in-box speedy VM that is recycled when you close the app!"

The new addition is targeted specifically at machines running Windows 10 Enterprise, and requires at least 4GB RAM, 5GB of free disk space, and at least 2 CPU cores. The quest, which is no longer available in the Feedback Hub, also revealed InPrivate Desktop required CPU virtualisation to be enabled in a computer's BIOS.

'Quests' are a frequently-employed as a way for Windows Insiders to deliver specific feedback to Microsoft and allow extensive user testing of new features that are either imminent or in development.

Little else is known about InPrivate Desktop, including when the tool will launch. The company has even yet to confirm its existence. IT Pro has approached Microsoft for comment.

30/07/2018: Windows 10 to be bundled into Microsoft's new monthly management plan

Microsoft is putting together a desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) offering that will support Windows 10 devices, that it's reportedly calling the "Microsoft Managed Desktop".

The service will provide customers with the ability to lease a Windows 10 device, automatically provisioned for them, with the operating system regularly updated, for a single monthly fee, according to Petri.

A key difference between Microsoft's version of desktop-as-a-service from what many companies already offer under that term is the Windows 10 updating component.

Currently, Windows is updated twice a year and can sometimes cause issues with software compatibility and, as a fix, Microsoft is looking to offer the DaaS plan.

According to Peri, Microsoft posted several new positions that suggested Redmond is looking to launch a managed desktop service. The job description states that Microsoft 365 Managed Desktop is a new, per-user subscription service that enables customers with devices that can take advantage of the latest productivity tools and technologies in a secure, monitored, and supported IT environment.

There has been no official confirmation from Microsoft, but it is expected that it could introduce this service on the Surface devices initially, before slowly rolling it out across all other business devices, including desktop PCs.

It is believed that this could be a great option for users wanting stable operating systems without bugs and software incompatibility issues.

26/07/2018: Microsoft reopens Skip Ahead for early feature access

Microsoft has reopened an early access programme for Windows Insiders, meaning those who register for the scheme can gain access to the company's latest OS feature updates before anyone else, even early-stage testers.

The company's Skip Ahead programme opened temporarily yesterday, but it isn't open for long - once the vacant slots fill up, it will close once more.

"Skip Ahead is now open! #WindowsInsiders can now choose to "skip ahead" to the next feature update of Windows 10," Microsoft wrote on Twitter. "Please note: Only a limited number of Insiders will be allowed to skip ahead and once that limit has been reached, Skip Ahead will be closed."

Although the Skip Ahead scheme already existed, the Microsoft announced a few weeks ago it planned to revamp its existing system and anyone who had already signed up would need to re-apply. However, all is not lost for those who pre-registered; those who had applied would get first dibs on the new scheme by hearing about it first in the Fast Ring.

16/07/2018: Microsoft updates Notepad for the first time in an age

Microsoft has revealed details of its first update to Notepad for the first time in years, following the announcement the company has updated Windows Console and added the Linux command line to Windows 10.

One major addition is a new find & replace functions, including the option to wrap-around formatting on the words you replace, and a suggested list of remembered terms that can automatically populate the search field.

Microsoft says it has received requests from users to display line and column numbers when word-wrap is enabled. This is now possible, with the status bar visible by default - but you can turn it off in the settings if you don't want it on display all the time.

Other enhancements include the ability to zoom into text by simply holding down the ctrl key and using the mouse wheel, ctrl+backspace support so you can easily remove the previous word in a file, and performance improvements (specifically when opening big files) to make it an easier-to-work-with application.

The new features will appear in the Redstone 5 Windows 10 update, which includes a bunch of other improvements for Microsoft Edge, remote desktop, and Windows sign-in, due to land later this year.

12/07/2018: Windows 10 build 17713 arrives with raft of new and improved features

Microsoft has released a new build of Windows 10 to its Fast Ring Windows Insiders users. The build, 17713, replaces previous build 17711 and comes with a range of new features.

Microsoft said in a new blog post that there are improvements to its Edge browser with per-site media autoplay controls that allow users to control autoplay permissions on a per-site basis under the "Website permission" section of the Website Identification pane.

The firm has also added a new dictionary function so users can look up definitions for keywords when reading a page or document.

There are improved toolbar options for Edge's PDF Reader, which will now show text descriptions for the icons to make them easily understandable. The PDF Toolbar can now be pinned at the top of the document, making all the PDF tools easily accessible if needed.

Microsoft has also made improvements to Notepad with an option to do wrap-around find/replace to the find dialog. Notepad will now remember previously entered values and the state of checkboxes and automatically populate them the next time users open the find dialog.

Text zooming has been added with a new menu option under View > Zoom to change the zoom level and display the current zoom level in the status bar.

The new build of Windows 10 enables users of Azure Active Directory and Active Directory and Windows Hello to use biometrics to authenticate to a remote desktop session. It has also introduced web sign-in to Windows 10 as a new way of signing into a Windows PC. Web Sign-in enables Windows logon support for non-ADFS federated providers. That's in addition to faster sign-in to a Windows 10 shared PC that will help users that share computers to access their accounts more quickly.

The software giant has also enhanced its Windows Defender Application Guard, introducing a new user interface inside Windows Security in this release.

"Standalone users can now install and configure their Windows Defender Application Guard settings in Windows Security without needing to change Registry key settings," Microsoft said.

The new build is available for Fast Ring users now.

15/06/2018: Windows 10 April 2018 Update is now safe for enterprises

Microsoft's Windows 10 April 2018 Update is now safe for IT departments to roll out to staff, thanks to AI.

The tech giant has used AI to monitor characteristics of Windows devices that had the fewest issues when updating their operating systems for the Fall Creators Update, but said it "substantially expanded" the scale of its machine learning model to help teach the system to identify the best devices to update first with the April 2018 Update (version 1803).

This approach has enabled the company to spot issues during deployments of the latest update, and rapidly respond with a fix.

Data from the AI model is used to indicate whether a device is infected and prevents it from being updated, allowing for a thorough check. Once the issue is solved, the update is sent out again. Microsoft said this allows it to fix updates to customers without them needing to take action.

It also lets Microsoft see when the update itself is buggy, which is exactly what happened when Microsoft paused the April 2018 Update rollout after noticing the update was causing PCs to suffer the 'blue screen of death', or reboot problems, within 24 hours of it occurring.

"We immediately blocked all PCs that could be impacted by this issue from being updated, and communicated to customers within 24 hours, including an initial work around," John Cable, director of program management, Windows servicing and delivery, said. "In the next 24 hours, in cooperation with Avast, Microsoft identified an element of the Avast Behavior Shield that conflicted with the April 2018 Update. Avast immediately released a fix to prevent this issue from further occurring, enabling us to continue to safely roll out the April 2018 Update to those devices."

Version 1803 is now fully available for all devices, Microsoft said, and it is offering businesses "the same targeted approach" to understand which devices to update first when enterprises perform their semi-annual update.

As a result of its AI model, Microsoft claims the April 2018 Update to be the fastest version of Windows 10 to reach 250 million devices, hitting the milestone in half the time of the Fall Creators Update.

Earlier data showed that the quality of the April 2018 update is exceeding earlier versions of Windows 10 in both reliability and performance. System stability issues have been reduced by 20%, with a 20% reduction in total operating system and driver stability issues and improved launching times.

Microsoft's internal customer support teams are also seeing a continued reduction in call and online support requests for Windows 10 with the April 2018 update.

This has resulted in the update being broadly released automatically to all compatible devices running Windows 10 worldwide, Microsoft said.

Picture: Shutterstock

12/06/2018: Windows 10 upgrades still 'cause pain for users'

Microsoft should compensate Windows 10 users who still experience issues first flagged to it in 2016, according to Which?, with the comparison service demanding the software giant work harder to fix the problems.

More than half of 1,100 Which? members surveyed in March 2018 told the publication they had suffered glitches with the operating system, after a similar number complained about Windows 10 issues two years ago.

The latest survey saw 21% complain about software compatibility after upgrading to the latest operating system, 16% say external devices no longer worked with their PC, and 7% reveal that their email would no longer sync.

Meanwhile, 5% suffered significant slowdowns on their machines, and even PC failure, with nearly half who experienced this paying an average of 67 to have it fixed by a specialist.

Which? criticised Microsoft's free support, saying it didn't go far enough to fix users' issues. It has demanded that Microsoft improve the visibility of its free support services, and Microsoft is meeting with the consumer rights publication to discuss how it can fix Windows 10 issues for free.

A Microsoft spokesperson told Which?: "We want to make sure our customers receive the right support they need to get the best Windows update experience, and we will continue to review customer enquiries and issues on a case-by-case basis to ensure individual help and resolution where possible.

"Windows 10 is the safest and most secure version of Windows and we are glad that Which? shares our recommendation for customers to stay current with the latest Windows updates."

The vendor is also under pressure from Which? to offer free compensation to those who have lost data and files in the process of upgrading to Windows 10 and spent money trying to get them back.

The survey came before the April 2018 Update, and with Windows 10, users must stay current with updates to continue to receive security patches - even if an update could break their computer.

Consequently, Which? has called for Microsoft to issue separate security patches to ensure those running older versions of Windows 10 can ensure their PC is safe from known bugs and hacks.

Microsoft is pushing more and more of its user base to adopt Windows 10, having yesterday revealed plans to withdraw technical support for community forums around Windows 7, 8.1 and 8.1 RT from July.

01/06/18: Windows 10 Insider Build 17682 brings in a suite of tweaks for Redmond's OS

Microsoft has released its Windows 10 Insider Build 17682 for members of the Windows Insider program, ushering in a suite of tweaks for the ever-evolving operating system.

The Microsoft Edge browser, which comes built into Windows 10, has been given a nip and a with it gaining the Web Authentication API Preview, which allows users to log into websites using Windows Hello and other authentication techniques.

For people who like using Windows 10 Remote Server Administration Tools, the new Insider build means they'll no longer need to download it first and can instead install it through the Manage Optional Features' segment of WIndows 10 settings.

To tackle any privacy concerns, the latest Insider build will now display a screen after users upgrade to it that provides a one-stop-shop for people to setup the various new options WIndows 10 has gained over time and review the devices it can connect to.

A whole host of fixes and improvements have also been made to WIndows 10, including bugs that caused crashes when using the Cortana virtual assistant and some apps missing in the pinned' and recent items' in the Windows 10 taskbar.

Many of these tweaks will eventually make their way out of the Insider program and into the standard version of WIndows 10, either through a series of small updates or one major update.

Previous Windows 10 news

14/05/2018: April Update causing problems for Intel SSDs

Microsoft has announced its plans to prevent devices using Intel SSD 600p Series or Intel SSD Pro 6000p Series from receiving the latest Windows 10 April 2018 Update, because it may cause issues to machines.

Problems discussed on a Microsoft blog explain it could crash machines and force them to enter a UEFI screen after rebooting.

The company explained it was working closely with OEMs and directly with Intel to rectify the issues, but blocking them from receiving the update seems to be the best short-term solution at present.

If it's too late and the update has broken your computer already, you can roll back your machine to the previous version of Windows 10 (Windows 10, version 1709) instead.

To do this, you must hold down F8 while starting up your computer and restore from a previous version of the operating system.

"Microsoft is currently working on a resolution that will allow the April 2018 Update on these devices in the near future," the company said, although it didn't reveal when users can expect to start seeing the update.

Last week, it was revealed the update could also cause black screen issues for other machines. Experts think KB4103721 is the problem, which too can be fixed by restoring from an older version of the OS.

04/05/2018: Windows 10 April 2018 Update reportedly breaking some critical PC features

The Windows 10 April update is breaking some critical PC features, including the microphone, speakers, mice and other peripherals and web browsers of Windows machines. And when we say breaking, it means those features won't work at all, rather than just being glitchy.

The revelations were discussed on German website WindowsUnited, which has come to the conclusion that the problems may be caused by unsupported drivers. This would mean the component and software developers will need to update their drivers/software before the features will work.

It listed some of the problems included speaker settings being reset without the user giving permission, the mouse failing to respond properly, with some users saying there was some lag after installing the update and the Alt-Tab shortcut not working.

Other Windows 10 users said they were receiving notifications saying that some of the new features were restricted to the Windows Insider Program users, despite not registering for the scheme.

It's not just third-party apps and services on the blink either. Edge seems to be causing issues, with context menus missing from the taskbar for some people and microcode updates missing.

As is the case with most major updates, it's probably a good idea to wait until the bugs are fixed before installing it on your computer and risk breaking it.

30/04/2018: Windows 10 Spring Update finally launches

Microsoft's April 2018 update to its Windows 10 operating system has now been released, over a week after it was initially slated to appear.

The first of a biannual set of updates, the patch brings a host of new additions to the platform, including a feature called 'Timeline'. This search tool allows you to look back through 30 days' worth of searches, documents, files and folders to find the information you need. For example, if you performed an internet search two weeks ago and need to re-look at the information, you can do so. If you need to refer to changes made in a document last week, you can use Timeline to roll back to when you made the changes.

As long as you were signed into your Microsoft account at the time and are using Microsoft Edge or Office 365, you can use timeline on your iOS or Android phone when you get back to your Windows 10 PC.

The second major addition is Focus Assist. Designed to boost productivity, it stops you being distracted by things like social media, email notifications, breaking news stories and more, blocking anything unrelated to the task at hand from going through. You can turn on Focus Assist when you need to concentrate or at set times through the day and when you've finished, you'll receive all your notifications in one place.

If you're waiting on an important phone call or email to come through, you can now allow them to filter through, so you don't miss anything important when you're head down.

Microsoft Edge has also experienced a few new updates. You can mute tabs if they're playing sound, expand windows showing things like PDFs, books and other viewing material to full screen with a click and autofill shopping forms.

There's also a new Dictation mode for those who would rather talk to their PC than type. Windows 10 will now allow you to read out what you'd like to note down and it'll convert your thoughts into text.

Other, less hyped, features launched in the April 2018 Update include the ability to send content to nearby Windows 10 devices, send a webpage across Edge devices (for example from your PC to your iOS device if that's your chosen browser) and an update to the Cortana voice assistant so you can control smart home equipment from your PC.

26/04/2018: Windows 10 Lean cuts features for low-storage devices

A simplified version of Windows 10, codenamed Windows 10 Lean, was spotted in last week's Redstone 5 preview build.

Though Microsoft made no official announcement, Twitter user Lucan posted his discovery on Twitter, also noting that a comparison of Windows 10 Pro and Lean reveals 50,000 missing files.

Backed by screenshots of the preview, Lucan also believes that Windows 10 Lean will still be able to both run Universal Windows Programs and traditional Win32 applications.

Microsoft has reduced the size of this Windows update by 2GB, appearing to cut older features it thinks a low-end device doesn't need: Internet Explorer, Registry Editor, Windows Media Player and desktop wallpaper.

It seems to be geared towards tablets and laptops with 16GB of storage - a suggestion supported by The Verge's own sources - to make sure they can receive updates, since these devices are usually still operating with the Windows version they came with due to a lack of space.

Lucan said sources told him Microsoft is still working out the kinks of Windows 10 Lean. More information about the new version of the OS could come at the Microsoft Build 2018 Developer Conference in May.

18/04/2018: Faulty Spring Creators Update would have caused Blue Screen of Death

Microsoft missed its deadline to release its Spring Creators Update to Windows 10 users last week, after discovering a 'blocking bug' the weekend before it was set to go live.

But what Microsoft didn't say at the time is that this bug would have caused millions of Windows 10 PCs to suffer the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) had it gone ahead with the release of build 17133.

"As Build 17133 progressed through the rings, we discovered some reliability issues we wanted to fix," admitted Microsoft's Dona Sarkar in a blog post for Windows Insiders earlier this week.

"In certain cases, these reliability issues could have led to a higher percentage of (BSOD) on PCs."

As a result, Microsoft has taken the unusual step of releasing a new preview of Windows 10 to its Insiders ring -- build 17134 - that it hopes has solved the issue, which appears to have been spotted by an Insider.

"Instead of creating a Cumulative Update package to service these issues, we decided to create a new build with the fixes included," Sarkar wrote. "This just reinforces that Windows Insiders are critical to helping us find and fix issues before releasing feature updates to all our customers so thank you!"

Build 17134 is likely to be the last version before the Spring Creators Update is released, according to The Verge.

That means the update -- which still doesn't have an official name - should be available for download soon, but as always, Microsoft will likely release it in waves, so it could be some time before you can update your system.

12/04/2018: Although the Windows 10 Spring Creators Update was supposed to drop today, it would seem either Microsoft didn't get the memo or it just wasn't ready to be released.

The latter is more likely to be the truth, according to reports, with Microsoft halting the launch of version 1803 due to a 'blocking bug' that means the code didn't pass the company's stringent testing process.

A blocking bug isn't a specific issue, according to Windows Central, which first reported the alleged issue; it's just a general problem that's serious enough to affect a lot of users or can cause significant issues if it were to be installed on devices.

The issue was reportedly uncovered over the weekend, so it's likely Microsoft is already working on a patch.

Only being discovered this weekend did mean the update missed the Patch Tuesday rollout, which is when the company usually reveals its new iterations, so we may have to wait a few weeks until it's ready to go again.

Once the patch has been implemented and tested, only then will Microsoft be happy to release the update into the wild and users will start to be alerted that it's ready to be downloaded and installed.

10/04/2018: Windows 10 users rejoice - the Windows 10 Spring Creators Update is due to launch today. Although it's perhaps not time to party just yet as, in usual Microsoft style, it's likely the update will roll out in stages.

The rumoured launch date was revealed last month, in an end of life document for Windows 10 that revealed support for build 10586.3, aka Threshold 2, would end today, opening up the floor for the new version to arrive.

The long-awaited Windows 10 Spring Creators update looks to introduce a fair few features that are focused on boosting productivity. Near Share allows you to collaborate with others in a similar way to Apple's AirDrop. You can share all types of content with others via Bluetooth, including contacts, files, and even URLs, straight from the Edge browser.

Windows 10 will now look very different too, with Microsoft's Fluent Design System. It's more modern than the previous iteration of Windows 10, bringing it closer to Mac OS in many ways.

Timeline allows you to open any of the apps, files, and folders you had open last time you used your computer and carry on where you left off, even if you closed them down. A few apps will be supported from the outset, including Office. if you use your Microsoft account on Android or iPhone, this feature will be extended to all platforms too.

From a security point of view, the Spring Creators Update will introduce Windows Defender Application Guard that attempts to block malware gaining access to your network via the Edge browser. It users container-based isolation to stop any threats infecting the entire network.

Once it's been formally announced the Windows 10 Spring Creators update is available to download, you can use the Update Assistant tool to see if it's available to you. Just head to the Windows 10 Update Assistant, select "Update now". If the build is ready for your device, it will start downloading and install, then your computer will restart a few times before you're up and running.

19/03/2018: Microsoft forces Edge browser on Windows Mail users

Microsoft has been caught foisting Windows 10's Edge browser on users, even if they have another option set as their default browser.

As part of a new feature in the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview build for users in the Skip Ahead ring, when users click any link within the Windows Mail app - which is the default email client that comes preinstalled on Windows 10 - it will automatically open in Microsoft Edge, regardless of whether or not it's the system default.

Microsoft announced the change as part of a blog post, claiming that Edge "provides the best, most secure and consistent experience on Windows 10 and across your devices," adding: "As always, we look forward to feedback from our WIP community."

This is not the first time that the company has engaged in aggressive promotional tactics in order to increase the adoption of its browser. When users enter 'Chrome download' or similar terms into Edge's search bar (which uses Bing as the default search engine) they are greeted with a large banner at the top of their search results extolling the virtues of Edge and reminding them that it's already installed on their PC. Users trying to switch their PC's default browser from Edge to an alternative via the settings menu are greeted with a similar message.

Microsoft has landed itself in hot water over its behaviour regarding Windows' built-in browsers in the past - the European Commission started investigating Microsoft for anti-competitive practices almost a decade ago over concerns that bundling Internet Explorer with Windows was an abuse of the company's monopoly over the PC industry.

Windows Insiders are already using Microsoft's Feedback Hub to complain vociferously about the change, accusing Microsoft of limiting their freedom of choice and locking them into its own apps.

Windows 10 release date

Windows 10 started to roll out to consumers on 29 July 2015.

The news of a July release came as little surprise to Microsoft watchers, as the company had stated the release would come in summer 2015, and AMD's CEO Lisa Su tipped the world off to a July launch thanks to a slip of the tongue during an earnings call in April that year.

The RTM build was delivered to OEM partners to image new devices on 15 July, and another build is being delivered to retailers to upgrade unsold devices currently running Windows 8.1.

The first end users to get the finished version of the product were the five million Windows 10 Insiders using the operating system in a preview. Following that, Redmond began offering the upgrade to Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 users.

One year after the initial launch of Windows 10, Microsoft rolled out the Anniversary Update, which introduced useful tweaks but was a little light on new features. You can read our full review of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update here.

Volume licensing customers are able to download Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education from the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).

System requirements for Windows 10 can be found here.

Windows 10 different versions

As with its predecessors, Windows 10 is available in various different versions: Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 10 Education and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise.

Windows 10 Home is the standard edition of Windows for consumer PCs, tablets and hybrids such as the Surface 3 and upcoming Surface Pro 4. This version of the OS features personal assistant Cortana, Edge browser, Continuum and Windows Hello facial recognition, as well as standard Universal Apps like Mail, Calendar, Photos and Maps.

Windows 10 Mobile, which had until now been known as Windows 10 for Phones, "is designed to deliver the best user experience on ... smartphones and small tablets", according to Microsoft. It has many of the same features as Windows 10 Home, although Continuum is only available on large mobile devices.

Windows 10 Pro is aimed at small businesses and includes all the features of Windows 10 Home plus device and app management, data protection services, and support for remote and mobile working.

Windows 10 Enterprise

Microsoft is doing everything it can to ensure that Windows 10 retains its core market of enterprise users.

One of the major shake-ups that Windows 10 has brought to the standard Windows formula is the system of regular, incremental updates, rather than large periodic overhauls (although there are occasionally larger feature updates, like Anniversary Update).

However, a constant series of rolling upgrades can be a huge headache for IT departments. In order to combat this, Microsoft has introduced Update for Business, which allows IT managers to fine-tune which devices and systems in their company receive Windows updates at which time.

The tool, which was announced at Microsoft's Ignite conference in early May, allows the specification of maintenance windows in business environments, which can be used to designate when and when not to apply updates. This ensures that systems will be available at critical times and that machines can be unobtrusively kept up to date.

Microsoft has also addressed potential compatibility queries, stating that the new tools will fully integrate with existing management software like System Center and Enterprise Mobility Suite.

Windows 10 is also being supported in the enterprise by third parties including VMWare, Dell, HP Inc and IBM.

Project A2 (pronounced A-squared), a mobile-centric product that aims to speed up business adoption of Windows 10, has been developed by VMWare.

The product deploys VMWare's application delivery software to aid IT departments in moving physical Windows applications into the cloud, and EMM software AirWatch to manage applications and devices.

In early September 2015, Dell agreed to sell the Surface Pro range alongside its own tablet offerings, as Microsoft pushes the Windows 10-running device at the enterprise, while other agreements with Avanade, HP and Accenture under a Surface Enterprise Initiative will push more Windows 10 devices to business users.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update

Windows 10 Anniversary Update was released on 2 August 2016, just a few days after the operating system's first birthday. It features a number of tweaks and new features, such as Windows Ink and updates for Cortana and the Edge browser - you can read our full review here.

The Anniversary Update was originally uncovered by Brad Sams of Neowin in April 2015, at which time it was going under the codename "Redstone", apparently in reference to the precious stone that features in Minecraft - the block-based game acquired by Microsoft in 2014.

The August Anniversary Update was thought to be the first of two "Redstone" updates that would happen in 2016, with the second one arriving in October. However, rumour soon spread that the launch of the autumn 2016 update had been pushed back to spring 2017. This has seemingly been confirmed by Microsoft technology evangelist Nathan Mercer in a blog post, in which he promises two major feature updates next year, giving businesses time to adapt to the new OS and the features released in August before additional changes are made.

Windows 10 features, specs and price

Windows 10 Start menu

Having caused a great deal of upset by ditching the iconic Start menu with Windows 8, Microsoft has apparently realised it is best not to mess with a classic and reinstated it for Windows 10.

It is not an exact replica of the venerable Start menu that ran from Windows 95 to Windows 7, though. While the location of the button and search function both remain, Microsoft has also incorporated an element of the Windows 8 Start page into the new menu, bringing Live Tiles into the interface.

The Live Tiles appear alongside the traditional menu when a user clicks on the Start button. They are set to feature Skype, Weather, Mail and Store by default, but can be added to, swapped or even removed completely as desired.

The background can also be customised, as can which system applications appear in the traditional section of the menu.

For those who actually preferred the Windows 8 Start screen interface, that is also available to launch from the Start menu.

Windows 10 Cortana

Cortana is Microsoft's answer to Apple's virtual assistant, Siri. Named after the AI character from the flagship Halo franchise for Xbox, Cortana first appeared on Windows Phone 8.1. Now, with Windows 10, she has been incorporated into the desktop both as a search function within the OS and in the new browser.

She can also be used to set reminders, alarms and open apps via voice command.

Windows 10 comes with Cortana already installed and ready to go in the UK, China, USA, France, Italy, Germany and Spain. Native translation support for Cortana in Windows 10 is also available in the US and China.

A full review of Cortana can be found at our sister site, Alphr.

Windows 10 browser: Microsoft Edge

After 10 years as the default Windows browser, Internet Explorer has finally been retired, to be replaced by the new Microsoft Edge.

During development and in some Technical Preview versions, Edge was known as Project Spartan. However, in the end, Microsoft said it had opted for a name starting with "E" because of user familiarity with the "e" icon from Internet Explorer, meaning they would know at a glance what the icon in the taskbar represented.

That is pretty much where the similarities between Edge and Explorer end, though.

In feel and design, Edge is much more similar to Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox than its predecessor. Indeed, it has a level of interoperability previously unseen in a Windows browser and can use Firefox and Chrome extensions natively, a feature that was introduced int eh 2016 Anniversary Update.

Other additions include the ability to annotate web pages and consult Cortana, not just for search, but also richer features like restaurant reviews or maps to a venue. She is also able to customise the information she presents based on data gathered about the user's interests over time.

Finally, there is the new tab layout, which will present suggested apps to download from the Windows Store, based on user interest and behaviour. It will offer varying degrees of detail ranging from plain icons through to headlines from media apps, and will also show news from regularly visited or subscribed sites, as well as a Bing search toolbar positioned at the very top.

Windows 10: Continuum and Multiple Desktops

Continuum is a new feature in Windows 10 designed to make the experience of using a hybrid device, such as the Dell XPS or Lenovo Yoga ranges, smoother.

When docked or undocked from a keyboard, a pop-up will appear asking if the user wants to switch to or exit the full-screen "tablet mode".

This, once again, seems to be a response to criticism arising from Windows 8, where users complained the interface seemed more optimised for touch and was difficult to navigate using a keyboard and mouse.

The video below gives an idea of how it works. (Please note, the video has no sound).

Another new feature with Windows 10 is multiple desktops. While Windows has supported virtual desktops for some time, it was not natively accessible to users, who had to turn to third-party software.

Now, however, it is available as an inbuilt feature through the Task View interface, which lets users add, remove and move between virtual desktops.

Users can also move apps between desktops although currently there is no drag and drop option. Instead, they have to right-click, select "move to" from the pop-up menu and then select the desktop they want the app to go to, or alternatively use the keyboard shortcuts listed in this blog post.

Windows 10 Store and Universal Apps

Microsoft has overhauled the Windows Store for Windows 10 to improve the experience for both customers and app developers alike by removing clutter and making it easier to search for and discover apps.

An integral part of the Windows 10 Store is Universal Apps. As the name would suggest, these are apps that work on all devices from the smallest Windows 10 compatible phone to the gigantic Surface Hub.

The idea of Universal Apps is to appeal to both developers and consumers. For developers, it provides a single platform on which to create their app once and deploy it across multiple platforms.

From a user standpoint, it means a smoother experience across all devices and, as everything is managed in the cloud, the app will be up to date no matter which device it is being used on, Microsoft has claimed. Additionally, users only have to buy the app once for it to work on all devices, rather than one for the phone and one for the PC.

Microsoft's ambitions for universal apps do not stop with Windows 10, though.

At Mobile World Congress 2015, Stephen Elop, who was then executive VP of Microsoft's Devices and Services division, told delegates: "It is our hope that our cross-platform initiatives deliver not only across our platforms but those of others."

Additionally, while not falling within the universal apps bracket, Microsoft announced developers will be able to port iOS and Android apps to Windows 10, not just emulate them.

Microsoft has, however, reduced the number of devices any given app can be used on. Rather than the 81 installs allowed with Windows 8.1, Windows 10 users will only be able to install an app 10 times per Microsoft account.

As pointed out by Neowin: "While 10 devices do seem like a lot, if you consider that phones and even your Xbox could be counted towards your usage, it does feel a lot more restricted than simply thinking you have 10 PCs in your home". It could also cause problems for users who upgrade or refresh their PCs over the course of the 10 years Windows 10 will be supported and possibly beyond.

Windows 10 hardware and compatibility

Microsoft has said that Windows 10 should be compatible with all devices currently running Windows 8.1, as well as 34 smartphones, which are listed here. While those using computers that run Windows 7 should theoretically be able to upgrade straight to Windows 10, some older computers have struggled to run the new OS, with one such case even resulting in a courtroom battle in June 2016.

Microsofts outline of compatibility specifications can be found here.

Windows 10 HoloLens and Holographic

During the Windows 10: The Next Chapter event in January 2015, Microsoft dropped not one but two major surprises in the shape of Windows Holographic and Microsoft HoloLens.

Windows Holographic is a special variant of Windows 10 that allows any Windows universal app to run on a standalone augmented reality (AR) device in a context-aware way. This means it takes into account information coming from the AR unit's additional sensors, such as depth camera or gyroscope when rendering display information.

So far, the only device making use of Windows Holographic is Microsoft HoloLens, the company's very own AR headset, although Alex Kipman, the brains behind Kinect, said at Build 2015: "HoloLens is the first ... holographic computer out there, but that doesn't mean that it will remain that [way] for a very long period of time. As a matter of fact, I hope that in the not-the-so-distant future there will be many such devices."

This has not happened yet, but in the meantime, it has been announced that Windows 10 will offer native support for two VR headsets - Oculus Rift from Facebook and Vive from Valve - as well as Valve's Steam VR libraries. Solid details on how this will work have been scant, and it is not quite Kipman's vision of dozens of holographic computers, but it does show there is interest in Windows 10's AR and VR capabilities from big-name third-party suppliers.

While HoloLens itself has been pitched at least in part as an entertainment device, it also has practical business uses, particularly for those working in the fields of design, engineering and construction.

Specialist software maker Autodesk is one of several companies that have already announced support for the technology, saying its Maya 3D animation and Fusion 360 3D CAD/CAM software suites will both support HoloLens out of the gate.

Nadella has made it clear that enterprise applications like these are one of HoloLens' top priorities. As part of the device's "five-year journey", developers and commercial partners will be among the first to receive HoloLens units, with consumer applications coming as the technology evolves.

Windows 10 security and privacy

Microsoft has doubled down on security in its latest OS, with features like Windows Hello, which relies on biometric scanning for authentication, and Microsoft passport.

Windows Hello

At the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft promised "plenty of exciting new Windows 10 devices to choose from which will support Windows Hello", and devices already equipped with a fingerprint scanner will also work with the technology.

This isn't just a consumer feature (or gimmick) either, as, according to Microsoft: "Windows Hello offers enterprise-grade security that will meet the requirements of organisations with some of the strictest requirements and regulations.

"It's a solution that government, defence, financial, healthcare and other related organisations will use to enhance their overall security, with a simple experience designed to delight."

Windows 10 users without the devices featuring an IR camera can now use Windows Hello with Kinect v2, Neowin reports.

Those with a Kinect v2 can set it up to log into Windows 10 by simply downloading the preview version of the Kinect for Windows driver and changing a registry setting. Full instructions can be found on Channel 9.

Other apps are also updating to include support for Windows Hello, with iHeartRadio finally releasing a Windows 10 Mobile version of its music app. For Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL users, support for Windows Hello authentification has also been added.

Microsoft Passport

Microsoft Passport is to apps and online content what Windows Hello is to logging into a device.

The system allows IT managers, software developers and website authors to provide what Microsoft claims is a "more secure way of letting [users] sign-in to ... sites or apps".

"Instead of using a shared or shareable secret like a password, Windows 10 helps to securely authenticate to applications, websites and networks on your behalf," explained Belfiore.

"Windows 10 will ask you to verify that you have possession of your device before it authenticates on your behalf, with a PIN or Windows Hello on devices with biometric sensors. Once authenticated with 'Passport', you will be able to instantly access a growing set of websites and services across a range of industries - favourite commerce sites, email and social networking services, financial institutions, business networks and more," he added.

As with Windows Hello, Microsoft Passport is not just a consumer service and will support "thousands" of Active Directory services at launch, including Exchange Online, Salesforce, Citrix and Box.

While Passport was a separate service at the launch of Windows 10, as of 2 August 2016, it is now simply part of Hello.

Security and privacy controversies

In early August 2015, Microsoft came under fire over privacy issues in the newly released OS. Reports claim some of the default settings are a tad intrusive - some have claimed Microsoft is spying on users - as they pass information back to the tech giant or share sensitive data with other users. In particular, users are unhappy about behavioural targeting in ads embedded in Windows 10.

As with many settings likely to irk users, they can be turned off, but many felt that was not good enough and called on Microsoft to be more transparent about the implications of the default settings and, perhaps more importantly, how to disable them.

Windows 10 users also faced security issues of a different nature as scam emails started to surface purporting to offer a free upgrade when, in fact, they contain ransomware. Said ransomware does what it says on the tin, locking all the machine's data and holding it hostage until payment is made for its release.

Elsewhere, torrent trackers started banning Windows 10 from their communities in late August 2015 because of fears the OS will report people's illegal download histories to anti-piracy authorities.

A clause in Microsoft's Service Agreement read that Windows 10 "may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorized hardware peripheral devices".

But while this condition covers a multitude of Microsoft products, torrent hosts are not taking any chances, with reports of some banning the OS for fears it will share user data with authorities.

One torrent tracker, iTS, announced its ban of Windows 10 on Reddit, claiming the OS sends users' local disk content to a server belonging to anti-piracy outfit MarkMonitor.

Other trackers like BB and FSC may follow suit, according to Torrent Freak.

Windows 10 price

Windows 10 was available as a free upgrade for the first year after its launch, but now users must pay a licensing fee.

Windows 10 Home, the entry level OS, costs 100, while Windows 10 Pro costs 190. Windows 10 Enterprise, including its E3 and E5 variants, Education and Mobile Enterprise are available through resellers and partners.

Windows 10 updates: Windows 10 is the last version of Windows

Windows 10 is, in the words of Microsoft, the last version of Windows. While this doesn't mean there will be no new Windows releases at all, the new strategy will see Microsoft drop the massive overhauls traditionally seen between releases. Instead, the company will move to a more Apple-style focus on incremental iterations of and improvements to the existing OS.

Speaking at the company's inaugural Ignite conference in May 2015, Microsoft development executive Jerry Nixon gave the rather tortuous explanation that: "Right now we're releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we're all still working on Windows 10."

"Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner," he added.

How to download and install Windows 10

If you want to get the new operating system as soon as possible, check out our sister site Expert Reviews and their guide on how to clean install Windows 10.

Requirements: Users must have a Microsoft ID or Outlook email address. Microsoft claims the preview should work on any system that comfortably runs Windows 8.1, but warns users they may need to re-install or update some of their existing software after installing Windows 10.

Windows 7 users should check the specifications of their machine against the published Windows 10 requirements before upgrading.

Previous News

14/03/2018: Windows 10 Spring Creators Update due for April release

Microsoft has revealed the Windows 10 Spring Creators update, also known as Redstone 4, will be arriving in April, with the Creators Long-Term Servicing Channel update scheduled for Autumn.

The details were provided in an end of life document for Windows 10 iterations, which highlighted Microsoft would terminate support for the Spring Creators update in October 2019, which is the standard 18-month grace period Microsoft offers. The company will probably extend this by six months later down the line as it has done with past updates, but that's not really anything to write home about.

However, there is a disclaimer in the Microsoft Developer blog post that unveiled the release dates, saying they could be subject to change - although we'd say with a roll-out so close, it's unlikely Microsoft would be late on this particular launch.

Although the blog post didn't unveil any more insights about the features we can expect to see in the next Windows 10 update, it's likely to stick to the more creative users if the Fall Creators update and Creators update are anything to go by.

Features rumoured to appear to include an AI boost, gaming enhancements and HDR video.

The same blog post also highlights that end of support is fast approaching for build 10586.3, aka Threshold 2, which was the second release of Windows 10. Support for this version of the OS will end on 10 April this year, almost 11 months to the day since support ended for the launch version, although Windows 10 Enterprise customers on the Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) have until October 2025. Support for the first Redstone version of Windows 10, build 14393.10, also ends this year, although users have until October to upgrade. As with Threshold, LTSB customers have a longer grace period, with support for that track ending in 2026.

09/03/2018: Machine Learning coming to Windows 10

Microsoft has unveiled the next major update to Windows 10, with the Windows Machine Learning (WinML) platform it's developed alongside Intel, Qualcomm, AMD and Nvidia. The update means developers can build apps on the platform using its Microsoft Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create more immersive experiences for customers.

Microsoft has assured developers its machine learning platform will offer low latency, so even those applications that require the processing of large files such as video can happen in real time. It can achieve lower operational costs when used alongside Microsoft's Cloud AI platform and offers cloud flexibility - developers can choose to perform the AI tasks on either device or using the cloud.

"Our ML model evaluation is tuned for efficiency across the diverse silicon that runs Windows," Kam VedBrat, group program manager of Microsoft's Windows AI team said. "By using instruction set optimizations on modern CPUs, hardware acceleration on GPUs that support DirectX 12, and a driver model for purpose-built AI processors in the future, we deliver performance and efficiency on the broadest range of form factors."

Alongside the launch of the WinML platform, Microsoft also revealed a whole load of new Windows Mixed Reality features that'll launch in the next major feature release for the OS, dubbed the Windows 10 Spring Creators Update. A new Skyloft environment has been added to the Cliff House environment, while haptic feedback on Motion Controllers for SteamVR will make games more immersive.

Users are able to take Mixed Reality photos by tapping the Windows button on the controller, followed by the trigger button, making it much simpler to take snaps.

08/03/2018: Microsoft confirms it's replacing Windows 10 S with S Mode

Microsoft will replace Windows 10 S with a dedicated 'S Mode' for other Windows 10 operating systems in 2019, rather than continuing it as an OS in its own right.

IT admins can lock down the standard Home, Enterprise, and Pro versions of its platform using S Mode, cutting out the ability to download apps from outside the Microsoft Store. Users will also be able to buy hardware with the cut-down S Mode installed rather than having to buy devices with the full version of Windows 10 preinstalled.

"We use Win10S as an option for schools or businesses that want the 'low-hassle'/ guaranteed performance version," Microsoft boss Joe Belfiore said in a tweet confirming the long-rumoured move. "Next year, 10 S will be a "mode" of existing versions, not a distinct version. SO I think it's totally fine/good that it's not mentioned."

That tweet prompted a number of questions from customers, including whether rumours were true that users would be forced to pay to unlock their new devices from the S Mode in favour of a full version.

Redmond later clarified its position in a blog post, admitting that it could have been clearer on its plans for Windows 10 S, adding that it would be simplifying the process with the next Windows 10 update.

"Starting with the next update to Windows 10, coming soon, customers can choose to buy a new Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro PC with S mode enabled, and commercial customers will be able to deploy Windows 10 Enterprise with S mode enabled," said Belfiore.

For those customers who decide they want to then upgrade from the S Mode to a full version of Windows 10, they can do so free of charge, regardless of whether they're running Home or Pro versions, according to the post.

20/02/2018: Microsoft faces $600m lawsuit over forced Windows 10 upgrade

A US customer whose laptop automatically updated from Windows 7 to 10 without his permission is suing Microsoft for $600 million for what he claims amounted to a violation of his civil rights.

Albuquerque resident Frank Dickman claims a forced Windows 10 upgrade resulted in his laptop becoming unresponsive, and is now seeking damages from both Microsoft and CEO Satya Nadella - or a fresh copy of Windows 7.

"I own a ASUS 54L laptop computer which has an OEM license for Windows Version 7," said Dickman, in a complaint filed last Wednesday. "The computer was upgraded to Windows Version 10 and became non-functional immediately. The upgrade deleted the cached, or backup, version of Windows 7."

Dickman said he wants to downgrade his machine from Windows 10 to 7, but as the files have been deleted, he's unable to source a legitimate version of the software.

The complaint, which has been archived by Bleeping Computer, argues that the forced upgrade of Dickman's machine constituted a breach of his 14th Amendment Civil Rights, and that Microsoft should provide a replacement software code or face damages.

The filing gives Microsoft 30 days to either hand over a software code or "$6,000,000,000.00 (six hundred million dollars)".

It's unclear whether Dickman's case is likely to go any further, particularly given the amount he has demand from Microsoft. However, it's by no means the only lawsuit brought against the company since its botched Windows 10 rollout, having already paid out $10,000 to a Californian resident after a forced patch bricked his PC.

19/02/2018: When Microsoft unveiled its ARM-powered Windows 10 machines last year it also revealed that the new features, which include an all-day battery life, would come at a cost to some functionality, but since then we've been waiting to hear exactly what those limitations would be.

It seems that Microsoft may have accidentally let those slip, as a limitations sheet appeared online last Thursday only to be taken down by Microsoft over the weekend. Fortunately, thanks to the wonders of archive.org, the original has been preserved through a cached page, as spotted by Thurrott.

Although some of the limitations were already known, the document detailed a more restrictive experience than customers may have been expecting. We knew that ARM machines would only be able to use 32-bit apps, not 64-bit ones, but it also appears that the Hypervisor platform isn't supported, meaning that it will be impossible to run Hyper-V virtual environments.

What's more, applications that assume that all ARM-based devices are running the mobile version of Windows 10 may not work correctly and will likely display the incorrect orientation, suggesting some tweaks will be needed when developing applications.

The document also suggests that tools which modify the appearance of Windows 10, such as extensions and cloud storage apps, won't be supported unless they're native to the operating system. Customised elements, such as an icon or additional options in a right-click menu, are likely to fail on ARM-machines, and "if the failure is not handled gracefully, the app itself may not work at all", according to the document.

While the ARM-based Windows experience is going to be more restrictive than you'd expect, most 32-bit applications should run using Microsoft's emulator, and if the all-day battery holds up, it might be worth the trade-off for users.

13/02/2018: Microsoft will bring Windows ATP to Windows 7 and 8.1

In a surprising move, Microsoft has announced they are launching the Windows Defender ATP Support for their older Windows 7 and 8.1 models.

The tech giant confirmed that starting this summer the premium security feature of Windows 10 will also be available on Microsoft's older models. Microsoft said they are constructing a behavioural based EDR solution which will provide security teams with insights into how their endpoints are threatened.

This will be a welcome relief for many companies who have not upgraded their systems from Windows 7 - which is expiring essentially in 2020 - to Windows 10, which has been a firm desire on the part of Microsoft.

This, however, is a recognition that Windows 7 despite its age remains a profitable source for the tech company - and indeed it has a higher market share than Windows 10.

All detections and events take place in the Windows Defender Security Centre, the cloud-based console for Windows Defender ATP. Microsoft has explained that though the ATP Support can run alongside third-party systems - other antivirus systems - they are better together with the Windows Defender Antivirus.

Defender ATP works differently to Windows Defender, which is embedded in older models, in that it works as a post-breach investigation detects threats that have bypassed other defences and allows users to investigate breaches and explore suggested responses.

12/02/2018: Microsoft is testing a password-free version of Windows

Microsoft is planning to do away with the need for a password in order to log into Windows.

In its latest Insider Preview update (Build 17093 for PC), the tech giant has given users the option to unlock the security-focused Windows feature through an Authenticator App you can install on your phone. All you need to do is set up Windows Hello with the app, and you won't see Password as a sign-in option anymore anywhere in the platform's interface.

"Do you hate entering your passwords all the time? So do we," Redmond's Dona Sarkar and Brandon LeBlanc said in a Windows blog post. "Passwords are inconvenient and [u]nsecure. With Windows 10 S you don't have to! Just download the Authenticator App and use it to set up your Windows 10 S PC."

Their post said that users will be able to go through the out-of-box experience, set up Windows Hello and access all their usual apps and services, all without ever having to enter a password.

"Starting with this build, your Windows 10 S PC will automatically make your experience password-free," they added, explaining that changes in the latest build will automatically make the Windows 10 S experience password-free.

"You will notice that if you have Windows Hello set up, you won't see passwords anywhere in the Windows experience not on the unlock screen nor in sign-in options," they said.

The feature isn't available through normal versions of Windows just yet, but the update might just pave the way for future widespread rollouts.

06/02/2018: Microsoft will reportedly replace Windows 10 S with 'S Mode'

Microsoft is reportedly due to drop Windows 10 S as a separate operating system less than a year after its launch.

Instead, the streamlined feature set of 10 S will be replicated inside a new 'S Mode' that will be embedded within Windows 10 Home, Enterprise and Pro operating systems, according to reports.

The news broke after a 'quest' set by Microsoft for Windows 10 Insiders made a reference to converting a PC to S Mode - first spotted by Neowin last week - suggesting 10 S's days as a standalone operating system are numbered.

Internal documents seen by Thurrott allegedly show that 60% of Windows 10 S users have remained on the current system instead of switching to Windows 10 Pro free of charge. But of those who have switched, 60% did so within the first 24 hours of using 10 S.

Windows 10 S was launched last May as a restricted operating system designed to compete with Google's Chrome OS in the education sector, and only allows users to download Microsoft Store apps.

Microsoft will reportedly allow Windows 10 Home users to disable S Mode for free, but users of 10 Pro with S Mode enabled would have to pay $49.

When IT Pro asked Microsoft for comment, a spokesperson simply said the company will share news about the future of 10 S "when we're ready".

24/01/2018: Windows 10 users will soon be able to view and delete the telemetry data the software (and hence Microsoft) collects about them with new options in the preview build of the operating system, it has been claimed.

According to Ghacks, the option to view the data Windows 10 collects about you appears at the bottom of the Diagnostics & Feedback screen, labelled as "Diagnostic data viewer", while the option to remove the data entirely sits behind a "Delete diagnostic data" button.

Although in the preview versions of the operating systems clicking on these options doesn't do anything, it's thought that once the feature rolls out on general release you'll be able to see details of the information Microsoft is collecting, while the second option will remove the data completely from the device.

What's not clear is how much data will be removed and whether the data is sent to Microsoft first. Will the data be removed from both the device and Microsoft's servers using this button or just locally?

The options are present in the December 2017 and January 2018 Windows 10 Insider Builds and probably won't be rolled out to the live version of Windows 10 for some time.

However, it certainly shows steps Microsoft is making to appease privacy campaigners who don't believe Microsoft should be able to view how people are using its operating system.

08/01/2018: Amazon's mission to make voice our primary way of communicating with machines continues at CES this week, with the tech giant reportedly set to offer Alexa on Windows 10 computers.

Manufacturers Lenovo, HP, Acer and Asus are all preparing to integrate Amazon's voice assistant on laptops and desktops they release this year running Windows 10, according to The Verge.

An app will be created this spring to let users bypass Windows 10's own Cortana assistant and use Amazon's instead, giving them access to information they could search for via Alexa on its mobile web interface and mobile apps, the publication claimed.

The news follows Amazon's decision to bring Alexa into the workplace, with a stated goal of making voice the default method of communicating with devices and backend IT infrastructure.

Amazon Web Services CTO Werner Vogels said back in November: "Voice is the first disruption that will happen driven by the capabilities of deep learning tools. It's a natural way of interacting with your systems. It will also mean that you're going to build your backend systems with them."

The Alexa app is separate to Microsoft and Amazon's agreement to integrate Cortana and Alexa. The firms missed an agreed deadline of the end of 2017 to make this happen, but say it'll occur at some point this year.

03/01/2018: While Windows 10 is growing, it's struggling to improve its market share despite Microsoft's Fall Creators Update late last year, meaning Windows 7 is still the most used operating system in the world.

The nine-year-old OS runs on 43.08% of all desktops and laptops, according to NetMarketShare data for December. In comparison, Windows 10 runs on just 32.93% of these devices. Its market share actually dipped between September and October, and remained largely flat between May and August, with Windows 7 users clearly proving an obstacle for Microsoft by failing to upgrade.

With Windows 7 in extended support until January 2020, Redmond's latest OS may have to wait to claim the top spot - even Windows XP, which fell out of support in 2014, still clung on to market share for months afterwards, despite Microsoft not issuing any security updates for it. It's still installed on 7% of desktops and laptops.

06/12/2017: Microsoft may be about to revamp its Cortana UI for Notebooks according to a post on Reddit, shared by a user in Microsoft's Slow ring for Insiders programme.

Although there have already been rumours the company is adding a Mac OS Spotlight-like UI for the new Cortana search, the notebook Cortana UI will include new options, such as Manage Skills. Although no one at Microsoft has confirmed what it could include, MS Power User has speculated it will have similar functionality to Amazon Alexa skills, which allows third-party developers to create apps for the voice assistant without native support.

This would certainly seemingly be the case, with third-party apps including Zomato onboard, allowing US users to order food using Cortana, while Runtastic is also pictured for tracking fitness.

Spotify is another of the highlighted apps, presumably allowing Notebook users to stream music using the Cortana personal assistant. Of course, this latter option can be used alongside Cortana's own music streaming service too, giving users the choice whether to use the Microsoft service or a third party music service instead.

08/11/2017: Microsoft has released advice for Windows 10 users on how to make sure the system they're using is as secure as it can be. This includes not just ensuring their security software and system firmware are regularly updated, but also making sure their hardware is as up to date as it can be.

"Systems must be on the latest, certified silicon chip for the current release of Windows," the guidance said, referring to Intel's Core i3, i5, i7, i9, M3, and Xeon processors, plus its Intel Atom, Celeron and Pentium processors.

Microsoft also said any system should support 64-bit architecture to make sure users can take advantage of virtualisation-based security (VBS) features, which requires the Windows hypervisor to work and must have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), version 2.0 installed.

Other requirements set out by Microsoft include implementing cryptographically verified platform boot, with 8GB or more of system RAM.

"These standards are for general purpose desktops, laptops, tablets, 2-in-1's, mobile workstations, and desktops," the company said in its advisory.

"This topic applies specifically and uniquely for Windows 10 version 1709, Fall Creators Update. Windows security features are enabled when you meet or exceed these standards and your device is able to provide a highly secure experience."

01/11/2017: A free Windows 10 upgrade path is ending very soon

Microsoft has quietly announced it will be ending free Windows 120 upgrades for assistive technologies users come the end of the year, after saying it would not be available to everyone forever when it was first announced.

The assistive technologies page has been upgraded to say: "If you use assistive technologies, you can upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost as Microsoft continues our efforts to improve the Windows 10 experience for people who use these technologies Please take advantage of this offer before it expires on December 31, 2017."

Although the path was initially designed for people using the accessibility options on their computer, there's no verification process in place to stop those without extra needs upgrading, so it's possible users who don't want to stump up the $119 fee to get Windows 10 have been using the assistive technologies pathway to get around paying.

If you still want to upgrade after this particular path expires, you can still use an existing Windows 7/8.1 product key to get the platform for free. However, it's not clear whether Microsoft will stop this route to free Windows 10 upgrades from working at the end of the year as well.

24/10/2017: Microsoft reveals Creators Update schedule

Microsoft has revealed more details about the rollout of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, explaining in a blog post when it will arrive for your computer, smartphone and other devices.

Anyone can download and install the update already, after its formal release last week, but it's only being pushed out to devices that have been already tested by Microsoft. "By starting with machines which we believe will have the best update experience, we are able to get focused feedback on application compatibility and how Windows works with the rich ecosystem of available peripherals like Bluetooth devices or cameras," said John Cable, director of program management for Windows Servicing and Delivery.

Microsoft will decide which devices to update next based on feedback from manufacturers as well as end-user testers, via Windows Insiders and Windows Insider for Business. "This helps us determine when to accelerate the release to additional devices," he said. "We repeat this process until all compatible devices running Windows 10 worldwide are offered the Fall Creators Update."

Cable advised businesses to follow Microsoft's lead and rollout in phases. "Start with targeted deployments to validate that apps, devices and infrastructure used by your organisation work well with the new release," he said. "Then continue your deployment to more and more devices based on the results from your initial targeted deployments."

19/10/2017: Windows 10 ARM devices will have all day battery life

Microsoft reveals Windows 10 ARM will have multi-day battery life.

Microsoft has confirmed that the battery life of laptops running Windows 10 ARM will be "really, really good."

Although, the man making the statement - Pete Bernard, principal group programme manager at Microsoft -said that he didn't have the final statistics, as reported by Trusted Reviews at Qualcomm's annual 5G Summit.

"To be frank, it's actually beyond our expectations," he explained. "We set a high bar for [our developers], and we're now beyond that. It's the kind of battery life where I use it on a daily basis. I don't take my charger with me. I may charge it every couple of days or so. It's that kind of battery life."

Bernard added: "I would consider it a game-changer in terms of the way people have experienced PCs in the past."

The new devices were announced last December and will run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 chipset. Qualcomm's Don McGuire, vice president of global product marketing, confirmed that the companies were still on target for their release date of December 2017. He hinted: "I think that expectation will be met. You'll be hearing more from us over the next coming weeks regarding that."

Furthermore, Microsoft revealed it was testing the laptops at its headquarters. Bernard said: "We've been on this journey for almost a year. We've been working furiously in Redmond and with our partners in San Diego."

He added: "We have hundreds of these devices being used on a daily basis in Redmond."

Moreover, he suggested that more partners will produce the device, aside from Asus, HP and Lenovo.

"Over time, there's going to be a portfolio of devices from manufacturers. We've had some conversations with other OEMs too, for future devices, that are very exciting about bringing their own spin," said Bernard.

Lastly, McGuire also talked about the Windows 10 Snapdragon programme: "We are starting with [the Snapdragon] 835, and I think what you'll see from us as we roll out our next-generation platforms, we'll be rolling those out strategically...with mobile PC in mind."

"You'll see an evolved roadmap with mobile PCs in it more definitively than in the past. You'll see an evolution of different tiers of devices," he continued.

He also said that Windows 10 laptops will not be retrofitted with existing Qualcomm chips unless it was the Snapdragon 835: "As far as backward, we're not going to look backward."

Qualcomm announced it had formed partnerships with Asus, HP and Lenovo back in May to bring ARM processors to a new generation of Windows 10 PCs. It will be the first time a Windows machine is capable of accessing gigabit wireless connections since the Snapdragon 835 processor supports X16 LTE modems.

17/10/2017: Windows 10 Fall Creators Update starts rolling out today

Microsoft started rolling out its latest Windows 10 update to users today, who will get in a staggered release schedule to accommodate the 500 million devices running the operating system.

Calling it a "measured, deliberate" rollout, Microsoft said it wants to ensure everybody's upgrade goes smoothly, but it means that many people will have to wait a while for the update.

A spokesperson told the Daily Express that devices already running the Creators Update - released back in April in a similarly staggered way - will get the Fall update first, before Microsoft targets machines running older updates, like the August 2016 Anniversary Update.

"Once a device is eligible, the Fall Creators Update will automatically download through Windows Update if you've chosen to have updates installed automatically on your device; this is the optimal experience we recommend," the spokesperson said.

But those impatient for the new software release can download it themselves as a disc image from Microsoft's Software Download page, though Microsoft says this is strictly for experts.

The Fall Creators Update will bring a host of new features to Microsoft's operating system, including upfront access to the company's privacy statement during the setup process, and forcing apps to seek user permission to access things like a device camera.

Meanwhile the Windows Shell - the Start menu and Taskbar - will undergo a facelift designed to make it more user-friendly, using Fluent Design (see below), its new design language.

Microsoft is also pushing augmented reality in the new release, running the latest OS update on a range of Windows Mixed Reality headsets available from OEMs from today.

16/10/2017: Microsoft offers sneak peek at Fluent Design

Microsoft has shown off how its new design language, dubbed Fluent Design, will change Windows 10 in the Fall Creators Update set to land this week.

Fluent Design is Microsoft's new design language, an interface style that uses depth, motion, lighting and translucency to step away from the flat feel of Metro, its predecessor. Not only will it inform Windows itself, but the designs can be used across apps to help tie the whole system's look and feel together.

The Fall Creators Update will see the arrival of a few hints of Fluent Design, though it's expected to roll out gradually over a long time.

The video hints at a few of the changes, which remain subtle. The teaser trailer shows a stylus interacting with the calculator and a photo app hinting that the ability to write in "ink" in any app could be set to arrive while a range of apps are shown with translucent navigation menus and windows, and there's plenty of animation to make it all feel alive and vibrant.

Rather than describe the subtle changes though, you can watch the video below to get a sense of what to expect from Fluent Design in Windows 10.

The changes are expected in the Fall Creators Update set to land 17 October, which will include tweaks to how OneDrive surfaces files, changes to voice assistant Cortana that will let users lock their PC or shut it down, and a few security, performance and readability improvements for the Edge browser.

13/10/2017: Microsoft Edge rated 'best at blocking phishing attacks'

Microsoft Edge has been found to be significantly better than rival browsers at identifying and blocking phishing attacks.

In new research published by security analysis firm NSS Labs, Microsoft's Edge browser offered the most protection against online threats, and was better at identifying new phishing URLs than Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.

Its Web Browser Security Comparative Reports, seen by MSPoweruser, measured the performance of leading browsers across 36,120 test cases, which included 1,136 hidden URLs designed to delivering phishing attacks against a user's PC.

Over a 23 day period, Microsoft Edge was able to block an average of 92.3% of the malicious URLs, compared to 74.5% blocked by Chrome, and just 61.1% stopped on Firefox.

In terms of identifying new phishing URLs, Edge also roundly beat the competition, achieving a zero-hour protection rate of 81.8%, compared to 58.6% and 50.7% for Chrome and Firefox.

Interestingly, although there was a marked difference between the browsers, the report found that a locked-down operating system made little impact on the overall performance. Microsoft Edge performed just as well on Windows 10 as it did on Windows 10 S, and there was no difference between Google Chrome on ChromeOS and Windows 10.

It will be welcome news for Microsoft, given that it has been trying to push Edge onto its Windows 10 users, who are still overwhelmingly turning to other software for a default browser. Various versions of Google's Chrome browser hold over 37% of the market share, while Microsoft's Edge is one of the least popular at 4%.

To put that into context, Microsoft's older Internet Explorer 11 browser, most recently updated in 2015, still has almost 12% of the market share despite Microsoft's efforts to phase it out.

12/10/2017: Microsoft makes Windows 10 Fall Creators Update SDK available

Microsoft has announced general availability of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update SDK, meaning developers can finally develop apps for the latest iteration of Microsoft's operating system.

The biggest change in this SDK is the introduction of support for Microsoft's Mixed Reality, taking advantage of augmented reality and virtual reality, whether for gaming or other applications that can come alive in 3D.

"As humans, we interact with space constantly, and Windows Mixed Reality will feel the most natural for users," Kevin Gallo, corporate vice president, of the Windows Developer Platform said. "With HoloLens, we have already demonstrated unrivaled innovation that is transforming industries. Now, our immersive headsets offer unrivaled experiences."

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update SDK will also "modernise" applications for the workplace, allowing developers to create new apps or update existing code to work on the platform and help boost productivity. To make the process of updating apps easier for developers, they can use Visual Studio 2017 version 15.4 to use the app packaging without having to convert the existing installer.

"Whether you're building immersive experiences for Windows Mixed Reality, games, education or business applications, community is crucial to the Windows developer platform," Kevin Gallo, corporate vice president, of the Windows Developer Platform said. "I look forward to seeing what you create with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update SDK."

06/10/2017: Microsoft Edge is coming to Android and iOS

Microsoft is finally bringing Windows 10's desktop web browser to non-Windows smartphones, announcing that Edge is coming to Android and iOS devices for the first time.

Edge users will be able to sync their bookmarks, favourites, reading lists and history across both their PC and their smartphones. The new app also brings features like Reading View and New Tab Page to iOS and Android, and there's also the ability to open whatever page you're looking at on your phone to your Windows 10 PC.

Microsoft hasn't made any claims about the power efficiency of Edge versus rival mobile browsers like Chrome, Firefox and Safari, but the company is bullish about how well the desktop version compares, so it's possible that switching could net users big gains in battery life. It's also unknown whether or not the mobile version of Edge will feature integrations with Cortana - something that played a big part in the recent Fall Creators Update.

iOS users can preview the app starting today via Apple TestFlight, and an Android version will be available to test soon - just head here to sign up. The previews will only support US English at launch, but Microsoft says that more languages will be added as time goes on. Some of Edge's other features, including tablet support and password roaming, will also be added later down the line.

The news marks a further blow for Microsoft's ailing mobile OS. Windows 10 Mobile has been a continual disappointment for the company, consistently losing money and failing to attract customers. One of the most embarrassing moments came last month, when Microsoft founder Bill Gates revealed that even he has abandoned Windows Mobile.

Rumours have been persistently swirling that Microsoft is planning to axe Windows 10 Mobile altogether, but while this has yet to be officially confirmed, the news that Microsoft is bringing its flagship browser to other platforms suggests that it may be moving in this direction.

25/09/2017: Microsoft gives business a nudge to upgrade to Creators Update

Microsoft has claimed the latest build of its Windows 10 operating system is the "most performant and reliable" ever, a statement that is likely to drum up hype for its upcoming Fall Creators Update, slated to release in less than four weeks.

The Creators Update for Windows 10 (version 1703) was released in April, and since then Microsoft has worked to improve performance, reliability and power, three areas that frequently pop up on customer complaint forums. By posting a roundup of its improvements, it's likely Microsoft is attempting to nudge those customers on its Anniversary Update, and those yet to upgrade to Windows 10, to a newer version of its operating system.

"Knowing these elements are important to a great user experience, we've continued to invest in these key areas to deliver an even better user experience with the Creators Update," said Microsoft in a blog post. "As a result, the Creators Update is the most performant and reliable version of Windows 10 ever."

Compared to its predecessor, the Anniversary Update (1607) released last year, the current build of Windows 10 offers a 39% total reduction in stability issues, according to Microsoft, and an 18% reduction in the number of issues relating to upgrading from previous versions.

The operating system now boots up 13% faster, while Windows Hello facial recognition also allows for 30% faster logins, Microsoft said. Although Microsoft Edge, the company's web browser, is the most reliable it's ever been with a 53% performance boost over the previous OS build, it's still dwarfed by its rivals in terms of market share.

While Microsoft has adopted a quicker release schedule for its updates, it faces the issue of having too many customers on builds that are soon to retire. Many of its Windows 10 customers are on the Anniversary Update, which will receive its last security patch in March 2018.

14/09/2017: Microsoft will add more privacy alerts to Fall Creators Update

One of the new features in Windows 10's Fall Creators Update will be to allow users to read Microsoft's full privacy statement on startup if they wish, in a bid to offer users more transparency.

Microsoft has decided to offer a "learn more" section to each privacy setting during setup, after previous criticism over the amount of data Windows 10 collects from users.

Rather than presenting a wall of text for security-conscious people to meticulously sift through, it will offer a slimmed-down version instead, just like similar dialogue boxes show Android and iOS users what will happen to their data when using or installing certain apps.

Users will see the extra information appear when they access the camera, microphone, contacts, calendar, and other information on top of all location-based apps, which was previously the case.

However, the changes will only be made after the user has installed the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, which is due to start rolling out on 7 October. Microsoft Insiders will be able to view more information about the privacy protections in place shortly before that when they'll be able to test the new features before it's officially released.

08/09/2017: Windows Defender ATP to be revamped with Creators Update

The Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) suite is due to receive a host of new capabilities in the upcoming Creators Update, including end-to-end protection for Windows devices, according to Microsoft.

The new features, which are now ready for testing through a public preview, will also include a revamped notification system across a combined stack of Windows Defender programs, as well as improved detection protocols and security analytics.

"This focused security investment combines the best of Windows Defender ATP and the Windows security stack," said Raviv Tamir, principal group program manager for Windows Defender ATP. "We integrated Windows 10's new prevention technologies, enhanced our built-in sensors to better detect script-based attacks, added new response capabilities and opened up powerful analytics."

Windows Defender Antivirus, Firewall, SmartScreen, Device Guard, Endpoint Detection and Response, and Windows Defender Exploit Guard will all be combined into a single security alert interface where new notifications will provide a better understanding of what's happening on a network.

For example, the Windows Defender SmartScreen will now show if an employee within the company has clicked on a specific URL while ignoring warning messages in the process.

Security alerts will be more detailed with the update, which will automatically correlate detections and group related alerts together. Responding to threats will also be made easier, including the ability to restrict a machine to run only trusted binaries.

To get the most out of these new features, Microsoft has added a new dashboard view to Windows Defender ATP, which will highlight issues and provide access to machines where security options are misconfigured. The dashboard will also sort the most non-compliant machines in the organisation into a list, and provide recommendations as to how best to fix the problems.

Customers are able to access the new features through the Creators Update public preview, although they will need an active Windows Defender ATP subscription.

Body image: Microsoft

06/09/2017: Microsoft extends deadline for free Windows 10 S upgrades

Microsoft yesterday extended the deadline for Surface Laptop users to upgrade from Windows 10 S to the full version of its operating system by three months.

As part of a blog post announcing that gold, blue and burgundy colour options are now available in 20 countries outside the US, Microsoft also revealed that customers now have until 31 March 2018 to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for free.

Launched with the Surface Laptop in May this year, Windows 10 S is a cut-down version of Microsoft's flagship operating system that only allows users to install apps from the Windows Store, rather than standalone programs.

Microsoft says that this is to make Windows 10 S safer, faster and easier for administrators to manage, and the operating system seems reminiscent of Google's Chrome OS. Some critics highlighted the prospect of locking users into Windows Store apps as a problem for the OS, however.

Redmond's decision to give 10 S users longer to upgrade is because the OS has not proved a hit with customers, argued Clive Longbottom, founder of analyst firm Quocirca.

"Windows S just hasn't captured the attention or interest of buyers," he told IT Pro. "As such, it makes far more economic sense for Microsoft to focus far more on the areas where it still has a good enough chance to fight for continued dominance: the full desktop experience of Windows 10, along with the IoT."

With the lucrative back-to-school season upon us and the Christmas holidays on the horizon, Microsoft may want to make sure its well-received Surface Laptop isn't dragged down by the OS.

Migrating the operating system at your company is much more than a matter of whether your existing desktop systems can handle it, or the cost of a fleet of new computers. How your staff respond to the software change and cope with the new features are equally important, alongside whether they can continue to work with the applications they favour in the way they choose. That's why putting your staff at the centre of your migration process is essential for a successful Windows 10 upgrade.

First of all, don't simply impose the upgrade. If your company is still running Windows 7, moving up to Windows 10 is bordering on overdue, since this operating system will cease to have Microsoft support in January 2020. But that doesn't mean the upgrade should be rushed. Cristian Cornazzani, Commercial Sales Lead at Microsoft, suggests deploying Windows 10 to a sample of employees from each department and getting feedback, which will help you discern whether you have problems or not with each use-case scenario.

This approach has a double benefit. Not only does it uncover potential issues, so you can address them prior to the full rollout, but you can also begin the training process at the same time. You can start working out what your employees will need to know about the new operating system so they will start using it productively as soon as they get it. You may even find that some employees find new features and ways of working that are worth making part of the training package for all new users.

Although new features should be a business benefit of upgrading to Windows 10, the added long-term security will be one of the most important aspects, and one key to this is that your employees actually make full use of the extra options. The highest-profile new addition is Windows Hello, a biometric system that employs fingerprint reading or facial recognition to log into the operating system. Staff may need some minor training to use this, but once they've got the hang of it, logging in will be faster and more secure, because there is no danger of employees choosing a simple password when their finger or face is always with them and can't be stolen or guessed.

A migration to Windows 10 need not be painful, and the benefits will far outweigh the work involved. Learn how and why to migrate in IT Pro's guide.

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One reason why corporates have been reluctant to upgrade from Windows 7 is that, until recently, a Windows 10 security patch might also contain a .NET update that could break custom business software. Windows 7 used to keep these patches separate, so they could be rolled out only once validated. Since the October 2018 version 1809 release, however, Windows 10 has also kept .NET patches separate, so that these can be validated with in-house applications whilst the other security patches are rolled out as soon as they arrive.

In a related fashion, Microsoft has also changed the cadence of updates for Enterprise and Education customers, so that each Autumn feature update is supported with security updates for 30 months from release date, whilst Spring feature updates get 18 months of support. So if you don't want the training burden of updating your staff on the considerable changes that arrive with the major feature updates, you can skip a few but remain just as secure. This will be another way you can get your staff on board with Windows 10. If they've heard about the turmoil caused by some Windows 10 feature updates, they can be given reassurances that this will not be happening on their work systems. Familiar features will remain unchanged for at least two years.

Considering how WannaCry exploited vulnerabilities in Windows 7, Microsoft introduced specific ransomware protection for Windows 10 called Controlled Folder Access, which protects local folders most often attacked by ransomware, and further protections have been added with an Office 365 subscription. Controlled Folder Access was released in version 1709 of Windows 10 in October 2017. This prevents access to nominated folders by unauthorised software, so ransomware won't be able to encrypt your files. It only applies to those nominated folders. Nevertheless, ensuring your employees' main document folders are protected by default will give them, and you, peace of mind against ransomware attacks.

Best of all, far from being a source of staff reluctance, an operating system upgrade with accompanying brand-new devices could actually mitigate against one of the biggest current potential security risks. The tendency towards Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has been spurred by employees finding that the computing equipment supplied by their own company wasn't up to their needs. If your work laptop is old and decrepit, but you have a brand new one at home, you may well use that one instead. Of course, this has led to major security holes, because this device won't be as locked down as a system that is entirely administered by your in-house team. Data stored on it may not be backed up, and a home laptop could become a bridgehead onto your network when used in the office. However, if you give employees a state-of-the-art upgrade running the latest operating system, they are likely to use that instead.

The IT Pro guide to Windows 10 migration' explores how to plan your migration from Windows 7 and ensure it's a successful transition. Download it here.

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In the long term, the Microsoft plan is to deliver Windows entirely as a service so that updates can be managed much more centrally, and Windows 10 is already the first step in that direction. The regular major feature releases essentially replace the new versions of Windows that used to arrive every three to five years, but in a more iterative fashion. This means that companies don't need to see an upgrade to Windows 10 as an upheaval that will be followed by another wholesale change a few years later, as used to be the case. Instead, the upgrades will be much more gradual.

With IT staff on the Windows Insider Program, updates can be tested for up to four months before official launch, and you could even get end-user staff input at this stage that can be fed back to Microsoft. The result will be a much more secure Windows experience, where staff resistance to updating is greatly reduced compared to previous incarnations of the operating system. After all, your staff are the ones using the systems, and the happier they are, the more productive they will be.

Discover more about HP Elite PCs and Windows 7 to Windows 10 migration

If there's one theme that has defined the computing era, it's that technology changes very rapidly. This has become even more true as the internet took central stage in the last decade or so. This means that older software and hardware that might still be perfectly usable for its original application may well have been designed well before some of the latest significant developments, and particularly without knowledge of the most recent security risks. This is very true of Windows 7, which is approaching ten years old and will be losing Microsoft support in January 2020.

When Windows 7 was launched, ransomware attacks as epitomised by WannaCry in 2017 weren't significant. The first ransomware attack dates back to 1989, distributed via floppy disk, and the internet gave the idea its perfect platform so that it began to grow in the 2000s. But it wasn't until 2011 that ransomware came of age, with 60,000 new strains detected in Q3 2011, rising to 200,000 in Q3 2012, then hitting 750,000 in Q1 2015 and 2.25 million in Q4 2017. The most popular ransomware code from the 2011-15 era was CryptoWall, using a Java vulnerability to infect computers via domains belonging to Disney and Facebook.

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Windows 7 just wasn't architected to guard against attacks of this nature, because they weren't an issue at the time of its inception, so for example it has a compromised version of the Server Message Block network file service installed as standard. Threats have moved on since then, too. If you can afford to lose all your files (or have a recent backup), you can recover from a ransomware attack by wiping your hard disk and reinstalling everything again, then reinstating your files from a backup that predates the ransomware's arrival.

But now there's an attack that can withstand even this drastic measure, because it infects the UEFI BIOS itself. Called LoJax and created by Sednit, the infamous Fancy Bear Russian hacker group, it works like a rootkit and exploits a vulnerability in Computrace LoJack. Rather ironically, LoJack is software designed to help trace a stolen computer and remotely delete or block files when this has happened. The LoJax exploit injects malware into the UEFI BIOS, which then loads compromised binaries into the Windows OS at boot time. This can then be used as a trojan to download further malicious code to the system.

Since LoJax infects the UEFI BIOS, it doesn't get deleted even if you wipe your main disk's operating system, reformat the primary storage, and reinstall everything. It will simply reload itself from the UEFI BIOS on boot and be up and running again on your new, allegedly clean system. This is because the UEFI code resides on a firmware chip on the motherboard, not a peripheral storage device. However, UEFI was still only being developed when Windows 7 arrived. So whilst you can install Windows 7 on a UEFI-based motherboard, you can't do so with Secure Boot Mode enabled, which helps prevent this kind of attack. So a Windows 7 system is naturally going to be more vulnerable.

There are ways to make a system that is even more resilient to this kind of attack, such as HP's Sure Start Gen4 self-healing BIOS. This detects changes to the BIOS on boot and will prevent malicious code from running. Even if somehow the UEFI BIOS does get infected, Sure Start will detect it and reinstate a clean copy of the BIOS to reverse any compromises that may have occurred. It also includes Runtime Intrusion Detection that can detect changes in real-time as they occur, protecting virtual machines as well. A PC with Sure Start Gen4 is therefore impervious to BIOS-level attacks, making upgrading to a new Windows 10-based system including this facility essential for full security.

A lot has changed since October 2009, when Windows 7 first arrived. At that time, the computing world was still very much focused on desktops and notebooks. Although the first iPhone had been launched a couple of years earlier and was already on its third generation by 2009, the smartphone was still at the early-adopter stage, rather than the device in everybody's pocket that it is today. Similarly, Amazon was already showing dominance for online shopping, but the landscape of other huge internet companies that use big data to provide service efficiencies had not yet built up.

Now, smartphones are ubiquitous, and more people access the internet on mobile devices than with desktops. According to Net Market Share, nearly 58% of users are now accessing the internet via mobile or tablet. Similarly, behemoths like Uber, Netflix and Facebook have placed online data centre stage. Social media platforms encourage us to make huge chunks of data about ourselves publicly available, which can be used to attack our computing devices by providing suggestions for guessing our password reminders. Alternatively, "reverse social engineering" uses publicly available information to make impersonators appear legitimate, fooling the victim so that they can be lured into accidentally installing malware, or for full-scale identity theft and fraud.

With traditional ransomware profiles now well known, malware has moved on too. Instead of holding your files ransom in return for Bitcoin payments, the software payload has shifted to installing cryptocurrency mining software surreptitiously and using your computer to earn the virtual money directly without you even realising what is going on. McAfee claims this kind of malware has grown 4,000% from 2017-18, reaching nearly four million detected devices by Q3 2018.

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This rapid pace of change shows no sign of abating anytime soon and will probably increase. The plethora of mobile devices has made them a valuable target for security attacks, with over 1.5 million new threats every quarter, again according to McAfee. Internet of Things (IoT) devices are now proliferating home and business alike. Gartner predicts that the installed base of IoT devices will have nearly doubled in two years by 2020, from 11.2 billion units in 2018 to 20.41 billion units in 2020. So far, McAfee only sees 25-45,000 new IoT attacks a quarter. But with the notoriously poor level of security on IoT firmware and operating systems, particularly cheap generic wireless security cameras, the problem is only just starting, and the trend is upwards.

There's no denying that Windows 7 was one of the "classic" versions of Microsoft's flagship operating system. It modernised the familiar user interface of Windows 95/2000/XP without forcing a new way of working and rightfully has outlived the poorly considered Windows 8 and 8.1 that attempted to replace it. But a lot has happened over the last decade of rapid computing development, and its day is now done. A new system with Windows 10 can provide much greater security from today's threats. It was designed from the ground up with UEFI in mind, so works with the highest levels of BIOS-level security enabled. It will also continue to be patched and developed, with Enterprise editions receiving extended support until 2029. So the time is now to end Windows 7's decade of rule, and give your company another ten years of security to look forward to.

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It is now nearly ten years since Windows 7 became generally available (on 22 October 2009). Yet, unbelievably, according to Net Applications, 36.52% of desktop devices are still using the venerable operating system, compared to 43.62% running Windows 10. This is staggering when you consider the potential vulnerabilities of an older OS such as Windows 7, even when it has the most recent security patches. Mainstream support ended in January 2015, and although extended support continues until January 2020, companies really should have migrated well before that so any issues can be ironed out in time. In this feature, we discuss the risk from vulnerabilities in Windows 7 and why these must be addressed as soon as possible.

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One of the most infamous areas where Windows 7 has proven to be insecure is in its support for the server message block (SMB) version 1 protocol. This is a system frequently used on network attached storage (NAS) devices from around the same era as Windows 7, and also for printer sharing as well as other remote service connections. The Samba Linux file server used on many NAS devices emulates SMB to provide Windows network file storage access. This might seem like an obscure problem, but it was actually the weakness exploited by the hugely damaging WannaCry ransomware.

Whist this struck organisations all around the globe including in China, Spain, Russia, and the USA the UK's NHS was the worst affected, due to its widespread continuing use of Windows XP and Windows 7 for desktop clients. It is estimated that the cost of the attack to the NHS was around 92 million. The SMB 1 protocol leaves the TCP port 445 open, a vulnerability named "EternalBlue", and WannaCry exploited this to load malware on systems and propagate itself across a network to other vulnerable machines. The effects can be dramatic, infecting a whole network in a matter of minutes, as experienced by the NHS.

The most recent versions of SMB (3 or later) don't have this vulnerability, although even SMB 2 still exposes some areas that can be exploited in other ways. Microsoft did release a patch to combat the WannaCry issue once it was aware of the problem although allegedly the NSA knew about it long beforehand and didn't notify the company. However, there will still be many systems using Windows 7 and earlier that continue to enable a vulnerable version of SMB for backwards compatibility, and haven't been patched yet. With Windows 7 reaching end of life in less than a year despite over a third of systems still using it, this is a major concern.

The good news is that Windows 10 doesn't have this problem at all, because it doesn't enable SMB 1. This will mean a Windows 10 system won't be able to access older NAS devices that only offer SMB 1 network file sharing, although you can dig in the settings and turn it back on again if you need to but only if you have admin rights to your system, which most corporate network users won't be given. So a locked-down Windows 10 installation won't be vulnerable.

The SMB 1 problem exploited by WannaCry is just the most high-profile vulnerability in Windows 7, however. The CVE Details website lists 16 more potential security issues discovered just this year, and over a thousand across the lifetime of the product. The problems keep on coming, too. In early March, Google also reported the discovery of a zero-day vulnerability that could affect Windows 7. A zero-day vulnerability is one that at the time of writing hadn't been patched. The flaw Google discovered allows a local privilege escalation in the win32k.sys kernel driver of Windows 7 32-bit, which enables code to be executed outside the browser sandbox. In other words, a web page could run malicious code affecting the entire system.

The obvious way to address these vulnerabilities for sure is to install the latest patched build of Windows 10 on all your company's client systems. So why haven't more organisations upgraded to avoid the risk? One reason is obviously just the cost of upgrading an extensive multi-seat client installation. This will probably not just entail the software expense, but also the need to upgrade hardware and other software suites at the same time to support the new operating system. It's understandable why the NHS was caught in this trap, as 4.3 billion of the NHS's capital budget was shifted towards day-to-day running between 2014 and 2018, meaning much less could be spent on IT improvement.

Nevertheless, a hardware upgrade won't just mean the ability to run a more secure, current operating system. The hardware itself can be more secure against the latest threats. For example, HP's Elite range includes features like HP Client Security Manager to help set up Multi-factor Authentication and Windows Hello biometrics, for safe logins. There's the HP Support Assistant to ensure all software and drivers are up-to-date, not just core operating system and Microsoft Office patches. HP Sure Click makes Web browsing safer by running every browser tab in its own virtual machine. HP Sure View Gen2 prevents people from seeing your screen in a public place, and HP Sure Start Gen4 guards against BIOS-level attacks.

Another frequently reported problem comes from legacy software. If a company is using software that is only certified compatible with Windows 7, then it will be reluctant to upgrade operating systems, because the legacy software will need to be upgraded too. This will be particularly problematic if the legacy software was custom-built for the company by an employee who has now left the organisation. Some companies have also met with reluctance from employees to use Windows 10 instead of Windows 7, because the interface has some significant differences and they don't want to change their habits. A number of 3D workstation manufacturers were also sticking with Windows 7 until a couple of years ago due to performance issues with content creation software on version 10.

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These are all valid concerns, to a greater or lesser degree, but companies should still bite the bullet and upgrade, because the potential cost of threats from old operating systems could be even more expensive. Accenture has estimated that the average cost of a malware attack on a company is $2.4 million and 50 working days, whilst Cybersecurity Ventures estimated that ransomware damage alone reached a global expenditure of $5 billion in 2017. Most of this is from downtime and productivity costs rather than the ransoms themselves. Indeed, whilst the global price of WannaCry was estimated to be $1 billion by security firm KnowBe4, the maximum total of ransom payouts would only have been $60 million taking all infections into consideration, and Krebs on Security put the figure at just a few thousand.

So whilst upgrading your client systems to Windows 10 will have its pain points, as the deadline for Windows 7 support ending looms it's an essential decision to make. You can also tie this in with a hardware upgrade to much more secure, feature-rich systems such as HP's Elite range. The usual rule of thumb is that an operating system upgrade takes 10 months to deploy across a large company, which would push beyond the Windows 7 end-of-life date already. In other words, it's time to take the plunge, and avoid the risks of running an obsolete operating system like Windows 7.

Discover more about HP Elite PCs and Windows 7 to Windows 10 migration

Windows Defender has provided PCs with base-level protection for a number of years now, and its capabilities improve with every iteration. In order to help you access the tool, we've put together a simple guide on how to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Windows Defender has appeared on every version of Windows since Vista and can still be found on the presently supported versions, Windows 10 and Windows 11, although it has expanded to cover a variety of security tools since its initial launch.

Given it is proprietary software, Microsoft will regularly inform you if Windows Defender is turned on or off, and will direct you to the screen where you can turn it on if you so wish. If that hasn't happened, you can turn it on manually.

Defender is technically the anti-malware component of Windows, but these days it also controls a bunch of other security tools as part of the OS. Unfortunately, accessing the correct interface can be challenge depending on what version of Windows you're running, and what update you're on, as the user interface has updated a number of times.

How to turn on and manage Windows Defender

The Windows Defender icon should appear in this tray with a red cross (X) if some part of the security suite has been turned off, or a yellow exclamation mark if there is some issue with your device's security. If there are no crosses or exclamation marks, your Windows security is on and is running as normal.

If 'Turn on' has not appeared on screen:

1. Click the 'Virus and threat protection' tool listed under 'Security at a glance'
2. Scroll down to 'Virus & threat protection settings'
3. Click 'manage settings'
4. Click the toggle button for each function to turn them on

Note: You can also access every other Windows Security Center function using this method - simply click 'Turn on' displayed under each tool to enable them.

Following recent updates, the above process is the same across Windows 10 and Windows 11, however on certain older versions of Windows 10 you may find that the old UI presents itself. It's worth upgrading to the latest version of your operating system to avoid having to deal with these legacy interfaces.

Why you should use Windows Defender

With each passing year, Windows Defender - which comes free with every copy of Windows - has grown more effective at stopping security threats to the point where its performance beats that of some other third-party paid solutions. It was once the case where it was recommended that businesses running Windows machines should invest in an aftermarket antivirus or antimalware product installed to maintain protection from malware and other nefarious tools used by hackers.

With the performance difference between Windows Defender and other security products being so negligible, nowadays it’s generally safe to rely on it for basic security protection. For small businesses without an expansive IT estate, Microsoft Defender for Business - the SMB-focused paid-for equivalent, offers a more comprehensive yet affordable alternative to the basic consumer-grade protection of Windows Defender. It costs just £2.30 per user per month and claims to protect against the most common security threats that SMBs face.

Those that want to take cyber security seriously would need to invest in a little more than a small fee for Windows Defender’s business-oriented cousin, though. And organisations with larger tech stacks will also want to shell out for a more robust suite of enterprise-grade cyber security products such as endpoint protection, identity and access management solutions, extended detection and response (XDR), email security, and more.

Regardless, Windows Defender is now a seriously admirable starting point for most users. The protections it offers, such as 100% accuracy in malware detections - including zero-day exploits, are impressive given that it’s entirely free to owners of PCs running Windows 10 and Windows 11.

As with other Windows operating systems, Microsoft provides a way to factory reset Windows 10 should you encounter stubborn performance issues or if you wish to prepare a device for a new user.

The function to factory reset Windows 10 is fairly easy to use, although there are some choices to make if you wish to restore your system back to its basics. It's possible to wipe the system entirely, including the drive, which is great if your plan is to hand the machine off to someone else. However, you could also factory reset Windows 10 and keep your data, if that's preferable.

How to factory reset Windows 10

It is a fairly straightforward process to factory reset Windows 10. The first thing you need to do is access the Recovery menu.

You're then presented with three options:

If you choose Reset this PC, everything will be wiped and you can start from a fresh install, while Go back to an earlier build allows Windows Insiders testers to roll back to a previous version of Windows. 

The third option, Advanced Startup, provides the option to boot the PC from a recovery USB drive or disc.

To factory reset Windows 10, you need to choose "Reset this PC" - this will create another set of options for reinstalling Windows 10 on your computer. You can choose to either:

• Keep my files
• Remove everything

It's important to note that whichever of these two options you choose, all applications will be removed from the computer and everything else will return to their defaults.

If you choose to keep your data, the files will stay on the machine but you will likely be unable to open them until you reinstall the corresponding software.

If you chose to remove everything, you will be asked to pick either:

"Just remove my files"

or

"Fully clean the drive"

The latter option will take longer as the drive is properly erased. This is a good option if you are giving the PC to someone else. If you are keeping the computer, choose the former.

The next window will warn you that you won't be able to roll back to a previous version of Windows. If you're happy with that, click 'next' to proceed. 

Next, click on the Reset button and Windows will then restart and reset itself. This process will take several minutes. Lastly, click on continue when prompted.

Once the PC is restarted, you can then reinstall your apps, and configure settings. If the system still crashes, there may well be a hardware problem, in which case a hardware engineer may need to inspect the system for any issues the PC might have.

How to remove bloatware from Windows 10

It is a fact of life that most Windows PCs come with a stunning array of software that most users never wanted or will ever use. Luckily, Microsoft has a tool that allows a user to install a clean version of Windows without any OEM programs to clutter up your system.

To download the tool, click here. To use it, you will have to sign up to the Windows Insider programme. If you don't mind being a guinea pig, you can do this by clicking on Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Advanced options > Get Insider Preview builds > Get started. The link above gives more details about this approach.

There's a looming problem on the horizon, which is going to cause a lot of headaches for businesses if they're not prepared. The issue in question? Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 7 in January 2020, meaning that businesses have less than a year to prepare their migration strategies for upgrading their business devices to a newer, supported version of Microsoft's OS.

When Windows 7 reaches End-Of-Life, it'll likely affect a lot of businesses. Windows 7 still runs on around a quarter of UK desktop PCs, according to StatCounter. It's unknown how many of those are business machines as opposed to personal devices, but it's likely to be a significant number.

If businesses haven't upgraded to a more recent OS by the time support is withdrawn, they face the prospect of having to pay Microsoft for extended support, which will get more expensive over time. A much more cost-effective solution is to ensure that you've got a strategy in place to migrate your Windows 7 desktops to Windows 10, ensuring that you're future-proofed for as long as possible.

If you want to know more about the best way to ensure a smooth and painless Windows 7 migration, you can catch up with our on-demand webinar on 'The Windows 7 clock is ticking: what should you do next?'

What can you expect?

The webinar explores the practical options available: do you upgrade, replace or virtualise? We'll discuss the security risks of delaying your migration and find out how it's affecting businesses right now.

It also explains how you can migrate to Windows 10 without disrupting your employee's productivity.

The webinar includes input from experts including PC Pro Editor-in-Chief Tim Danton, HP's Michael Pope, Microsoft's Christian Cornazzani, and migration specialist Robert Neuschul.

Watch the webinar online for free here.

Despite its age, Windows 10 remains Microsoft's most popular operating system, and by extension the most-installed operating system on the market today. Just a few years ago, Windows 10 vs Windows 8.1 would be a valid comparison for businesses and personal users, but that's no longer the case.

With the general release of Windows 11 in October 2021, Windows 10 fell into the legacy OS category alongside Windows 8.1 and the no-longer supported Windows 7. With that, the discussion moved away from Windows 8.1 as a viable platform.

As of January 10th 2023, Windows 8.1 reached its end-of-life state, meaning it will no longer receive any technical support, software changes, or security updates. In other words, Windows 8.1 is no longer a viable business tool.

Although it's no longer credible to compare the two systems in a business context, you can find our initial findings below on how the two operating systems fare when put side by side. We have also included a comparison between some of the features once offered as part of Windows 8.1, and how these were then tweaked for Windows 10.

Windows 10 vs Windows 8.1

Boot times

There doesn’t seem to be any real difference in the boot times between these two operating systems. This is at least true for the two devices we conducted tests with; the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Microsoft Surface Pro. Both devices loaded the login screen in exactly eight seconds with both Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, with only milliseconds between boot times on either machine.

Windows 10’s facial recognition tool, however, served as a means to shave a few seconds booting into the desktop. This biometric layer of security allowed a user to quickly hop into their system by just sitting in front of their PC, given there’s no need to enter a secure password, as required under Windows 8.1.

We should note that this feature isn’t available on all Windows 10 devices, as the device in question will need a special Intel RealSense 3D camera preinstalled. These cameras, alongside fingerprint scanners, are fairly common in business-oriented notebooks, though, giving Windows 10 an advantage over its older counterpart.

Winner: Windows 10, by a whisker, but only if you count the small potential time saving of facial recognition.

Interface

Without doubt, Windows 8's initial insistence on imposing the tiled Start screen on devices that didn't even have a touchscreen ruined any chance of the operating system ever getting widespread business adoption.

Although the error was partially corrected by Windows 8.1, when desktop PC and laptop users could boot straight to the desktop and pretend the Start screen didn't exist, it was still needed for many core functions from launching apps to changing settings.

Windows 10 put that right, albeit with an imperfect hybrid of the Windows 7 Start menu and Windows 8 Start screen. On desktops and laptops, the Start menu emerges from the bottom-left corner of the screen, with most-used programs listed down the left-hand side, along with a link to an A-Z listing of all installed apps, while the right-hand side shows the Live Tiles of the Windows 8 era. On tablets, it works very similarly to the way it did under Windows 8.1, with the Live Tiles expanding to dominate the entire screen.

That said, the tiled section of the Start menu on Windows 10 is far from perfect. With four different tile sizes and an awkward drag-and-drop system, it's too easy to end up with an untidy, gap-strewn mish-mash of tiles.

And once you've got more than a few live tiles activated, your screen can start to look like a Las Vegas casino, with a wall of rotating, scrolling squares each trying to catch your eye. Yet, it's undoubtedly an improvement on what went before for non-touchscreen devices.

Other notable new additions are the Cortana search bar in the bottom left of the Taskbar. We'll talk more about Cortana later, but the search bar lets you enter voice or typed searches for apps or files stored on your PC. You can click the My Stuff button in search results to perform more advanced searches of your own files, which certainly makes it easier to hunt down specific files than with Windows 8.1. However, we still find it easier to instigate advanced searches from within Files Explorer (called Windows Explorer in 8.1). Windows 10 did eventually add the option to search emails through this box, which is a great addition.

Talking of Files Explorer, that's had a refresh too. Aside from a stark new set of icons, Explorer now has a Quick Access view which shows your most frequently opened folders at the top of the window, with a list of recently accessed files just below, making it easier to quickly pick up where you left off on files that are nested deep in folders.

You can still pin your favourite folders to the left-hand pane of Files Explorer, but this does create some duplication with the frequent folders pane just next to it, whilst the Libraries first introduced in Windows 7 are now almost hidden from view. The new Explorer is a modest improvement on Windows 8.1's, but again needs refinement.

One significant new interface element for businesses is virtual desktops. An idea brazenly lifted from the Linux world, Windows 10's virtual desktops let you keep different sets of apps open in different desktops. You might, for example, have one desktop dedicated to communications (with, say, Outlook, Slack and Skype running) and another for work on a particular project (Excel and a web browser). It allows you to compartmentalise your work, and avoid having desktops cluttered with several open windows, but it's frustrating that many apps designed to run full-screen on a touchscreen can only occupy a single desktop.

Winner: Windows 10 corrects most of Windows 8's ills with the Start screen, whilst revamped file management and virtual desktops are potential productivity boosters. An outright victory for desktop and laptop users.

Stability

Even though it was the biggest overhaul of the OS since Windows 95, Windows 8 was remarkably stable and bug-free from the get-go. Indeed, we had it running on everyday work systems six months before launch.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of commonly-encountered problems on Windows 10. Microsoft is regularly issuing updates for the software, but these updates often cause problems. It seems like every few months there are new reports of accidental file deletions, glitches, crashes and other assorted errors. General stability is certainly better than it was, but the fact that these errors persist is frustrating.

There haven't been any bugs that we'd consider serious enough to warrant downgrading to an earlier version of Windows, but it has to be said that reliability isn't Windows 10's strong suit - and it doesn't look like it ever will be. On the other hand, Windows 10 Enterprise users can cut out a lot of this headache - which we'll talk about more in a minute - meaning it's not quite so much of an issue.

Winner: Windows 8.1 (prior to its end-of-life). Businesses could opt to skip many of the issues introduced by Windows 10's rolling updates, but the fact that they had to do this in the first place is hardly encouraging.

Enterprise features

Windows 8.1 actually did a fair amount of spadework for business users. Features such as Secure Boot, Windows To Go (giving you a bootable desktop from a USB stick), and Hyper-V virtualisation of guest OSes were features that were overshadowed by the focus on touchscreen devices.

All of those features remain in Windows 10, and there are others that could have a hugely significant impact on business rollouts. In-place upgrades have been made much smoother, meaning IT managers won't have to wipe and reimage as they may have done before. On our ThinkPad loaded with business-oriented desktop apps (Office 2013, Slack, Creative Suite amongst others), we performed an in-place upgrade to Windows 10 Pro in less than 40 minutes, with all documents, applications and settings perfectly retained.

Microsoft is also making it much easier for IT managers to bring off-the-shelf hardware into businesses, with new runtime configuration tools that can implement VPN settings, e-mail profiles, app installations and security policies without wiping the hardware and starting afresh.

Microsoft has also been commendably wary of forcing businesses to install the same rolling updates to Windows 10 that are now mandatory for consumers, who can no longer opt out of Windows Updates. Enterprise users can opt for a Long Term Servicing Branch of the OS another idea pinched from Linux which allows them to install a stable version of Windows 10 on mission-critical machines, which will only receive essential security updates and not the new features that will be periodically rolled out to regular Windows 10 users. Windows 10 Pro users, meanwhile, can defer updates, giving new features a few months to bed down on consumer systems before they're applied to a business machine.

Winner: Windows 10. Windows 8 didn't get the credit it deserved for enterprise features, but Windows 10 expands them even further and makes rollouts less of a headache for IT departments.

Security

Controversial though it was, because of the way it shut out some Linux distros, Windows 8's Secure Boot eliminated the threat of some of the most harmful types of malware. It was also the first version of Windows to ship with built-in antivirus protection, even if Windows Defender does routinely perform poorly in Dennis Technology Labs' independent tests.

With Windows 10, Microsoft is turning the screw even tighter with Secure Boot, giving PC manufacturers the option to prevent users disabling the feature. That might upset consumers who want to dual-boot OSes, but the vast majority of business machines will only ever boot into the OS the device is shipped with, and this prevents almost any chance of malicious rootkits or other low-level malware infecting the boot process.

The addition of face and iris recognition to the list of user authentication options already within Windows 8 potentially adds extra convenience for both users and IT departments alike (unlike passwords or smartcards, nobody forgets their face). However, both require specialised hardware, and neither is common enough to be a universal standard yet.

Winner: Windows 10 edges ahead of its predecessor, but the new authentication options still haven't fully caught on.

Mobility features

Windows 8.1 was already a pretty decent tablet OS, hampered largely by a poor selection of high-quality apps in the Windows Store. At this stage, it's hard to tell if Microsoft's new Windows 10 plan for Universal Apps apps that run across PC, tablet and eventually phones will bear fruit, but Windows 10 is already a better tablet OS than its predecessor.

One reason for this is Continuum, which automatically adapts the Windows 10 interface to suit the mode it's being used in on hybrid devices. Detach a device such as the Surface from its keyboard, and Windows 10 prompts you to enter Tablet Mode, where the Start menu spans the full screen, the Taskbar disappears, apps run in full screen instead of windows, and you effectively get no access to the desktop.

Reattach the keyboard, and the Start menu shrinks back into its corner, the Taskbar springs back, and apps can be run in whatever size of window you choose, even touchscreen-focussed apps from the Windows Store. It's a brilliant feature, possibly the best Windows 10 has to offer, and a real boon for hybrid devices, making the shifting between modes feel much smoother and making them feel like two distinct devices. Our only gripe is that Windows 10 doesn't always recognise a change of mode if you've, say, detached a keyboard while the device was switched off. However, you can easily activate and deactivate Tablet Mode manually via the new Action Center.

Windows 10 also introduces a Battery Saver mode, dimming the screen and cutting down on needless notifications to preserve battery life. It automatically kicks in when the battery dips below 20%, but you can apply the mode manually, too. It's not going to add hours to your laptop's/tablet's run time, but every little helps.

Winner: An emphatic victory for Windows 10, which finally makes sense of hybrid devices, and adds limited battery-saving benefits.

Windows 10 vs Windows 8.1: Which was the better operating system?

It's not perfect and it's now a permanent work in progress, but Windows 10 showed that Microsoft could pull off what many thought impossible: an operating system that sat comfortably on desktops, laptops and tablets.

It's the reason that the vast majority of Windows installs are still using Windows 10 today. Windows 8 and 8.1 were seen by many as prototype operating systems, which was perhaps necessary given that the company was starting to experiment with harmonising user experiences across multiple devices - it's just a shame the end-user had to be the guinea pig.

Users never really quite took to Windows 8, and today's market shares reflect that. Windows 7, now having reached end of life, retains quite a healthy chunk of the market, naturally only beaten by Windows 10 and Windows 11. In fact, as of Q1 2023, Windows 7 still holds almost 4% of the market share, almost four times that of Windows 8.1.

Windows 8 was arguably a failure, particularly given the huge leap that Windows 10 provided. The start menu on Windows 10 is far less jarring, providing modern tools and layouts sprinkled with enough familiarity that users won't feel alienated. There's a host of new security and productivity features, with more being added all the time, and the migration to Windows 10 is far smoother than anything experienced in the past.

Microsoft has started issuing desktop alerts to Windows 7 users warning that security updates for the operating system will soon be coming to an end.

Windows 7 will no longer receive patches to fix security issues from 14 January 2020 onwards, and users are being urged to upgrade to a newer operating system as a result.

It forms part of Microsoft's strategy of phasing out older software in order to focus resources on updating its newest portfolio. From 18 April, users on Windows 7 will begin receiving warnings about the approaching cut-off for a system that first debuted in 2009.

Despite its age, Windows 7 is still popular with users, with just under 40% of the market share, according to NetApplications - which is, in fact, 2.5% higher than estimates released in 2018. Microsoft are keen to get as many users as possible onto its flagship Windows 10 OS, particularly as it comes bundled for free with Office 365 subscriptions - that OS currently accounts for 37% of the market.

Windows 7 remains the most installed OS on the market

Microsoft has said users can continue to use Windows 7, but that "once support ends, your PC will become more vulnerable to security risks".

Users have been aware for some time that Windows 7 would eventually be killed off, with the company announcing last June that it would no longer be answering technical questions on the Windows 7 Community forum, alongside Windows 8.1, and the 2010 and 2013 editions of Office.

Microsoft has recognised that the upgrade process is a big worry for organisations and as such have sought to make the process quicker and easier. With compatibility in mind, the company has already launched the Desktop Aperture program.

As a start, Desktop Aperture allows organisations to deploy "pilots" of the newer version of Microsoft platforms such as Windows or Office, allowing them to spot potential issues and making it easier to deploy the latest software.

With time running out, Richard Edwards, a research analyst at Freeform Dynamics, suggests that companies shouldn't necessarily rush to Windows 10 as a solution.

"There are other ways and means out there if Windows 10 doesn't appeal," he said. "Look at these alternatives seriously, including Windows 10 in S mode, and remember that the tools we use shape the way we do things. PC hardware can run a variety of operating systems."

Microsoft also announced that support for Internet Explorer 7 on Windows 7 would also end alongside the security patches.

Microsoft has begun testing an in-browser security tool for Chrome and Firefox that serves as a 'sandbox mode' which lets users safely access untrusted websites without fear of infecting their machines.

The Windows Defender Application Guard extension, which already exists for the Edge browser, automatically redirects websites that haven't already been whitelisted to an isolated 'sandbox' environment. This effectively disconnects the browsing session from a user's physical machine and its data and files.

Just as it works on Edge, the extension checks the URL against a list of trusted sites defined by an organisation's enterprise administrator and guides a user to an isolated session. Users can then use this session to freely browse any non-white listed sites without fear of sustaining an infection.

Microsoft is now testing the feature before rolling this out as part of its next major flagship update for Windows 10, dubbed 'April 2019' or 19H1. The extension is currently online live for Windows Insiders, and users will need Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise installations to use the feature when it goes live in Spring.

The browser extension works based on an organisation's group policy, meaning once it's established by a network administrator it can be applied on devices across an entire company. The tool can also be configured by network isolation or application, according to Microsoft's guidelines.

When installed and fully deployed, users will see a Windows Defender Application Guard landing page when they open either Chrome or Firefox. Then, during the normal browsing experience, non-whitelisted URLs will open in a new Application Guard window. Users can also initiate a sandbox session themselves by toggling a switch in the menu settings.

However, the extension won't open this 'sandbox' session in a user's native browser of choice, i.e. Chrome or Firefox, but on an isolated Edge tab, meaning they will be forced into using Edge when browsing untrusted sites if their organisation implements the tool.

The extension is among a suite of security features Microsoft has been developing for enterprise users. Microsoft has also recently extended the idea of 'sandboxing' the user experience to desktop browsing, with this idea making its way into a future feature for Windows 10.

The Windows Sandbox desktop tool, which is currently being tested, will launch enterprise users into a virtual machine-like desktop environment when running suspicious software.

It will allow users to run applications in a clean Windows 10 installation in a windowed application, without having to run a fully-fledged virtual machine, eliminating the risk of opening potentially malicious apps on a work machine.

Windows 10 may be able to remove dodgy updates from computers if they cause bugs, Microsoft has revealed in the latest version of its Windows Insider build.

If, after installing an update on your machine, your computer runs into problems and automatic recovery attempts are unable to rectify it, Windows 10 can automatically remove them. The feature could be used by devices that refuse to start up after a new update is installed.

Microsoft suggested non-booting errors could be caused by "disk issues, system file corruption, invalid registry keys, or other such causes."

Although Windows 10 updates are extensively tested before being rolled out to consumers, sometimes these bug fixes can result in issues caused by specific software running on the computer or driver incompatibilities. This could potentially brick a device, especially if those updates are rolled out automatically.

In this case, your Windows 10 machine will show the message "We removed some recently installed updates to recover your device from a startup failure."

After the update has been removed, Microsoft will block the update from being applied again within 30 days. Presumably, the company would have fixed the bug and the update will install seamlessly.

"To ensure that your device can start up and continue running as expected, Windows will also prevent problematic updates from installing automatically for the next 30 days," Microsoft said.

"This will give Microsoft and our partners the opportunity to investigate the failure and fix any issues. After 30 days, Windows will again try to install the updates."

There's a major change underway in the evolution of Windows - and it's not just about apps and flashy graphics. Microsoft's constantly evolving platform is actively expanding into new areas and onto new platforms. Admittedly, things didn't get off to a good start, with the demise of Windows Phone and the ditching of Windows 10 Mobile. But that's allowed Microsoft to focus on its core Windows product, evolving the desktop edition and embracing new hardware in innovative and unexpected ways.

Which brings us to the Raspberry Pi. This certainly isn't a conventional Windows workstation: even the range-topping Pi 3 Model B+ has just 1GB of RAM and a 1.4GHz ARM-based processor. There's no way you could run the full version of Windows 10 on a system like this. What you can do, however, is install Windows 10 IoT Core, a bare-bones edition of the operating system that, as its name suggests, is aimed at lightweight Internet of Things applications.

If you were hoping for a desktop replacement, we're sorry to say that this isn't it. IoT Core is a very limited experience that can only run a single UWP app at a time (see p43). Yet it is a fascinating and potentially useful thing to try out and the basic installation is free; you only need to pay for a licence if you plan on distributing the results of your endeavours. So if you're looking to dip a toe into app development, or simply to explore some of the varied roles your Raspberry Pi can take on, here's our guide to setting up a low-cost, low-power IoT development platform.

All you need to follow along is a Raspberry Pi 3 and a spare microSD card - plus a separate Windows computer with a microSD card reader, in order to create the installation media. When you're ready to start developing applications, you'll also need to download Visual Studio, a text editor and a handful of SDKs, add-ons and certificates. Microsoft maintains a full list of these optional extras here.

Preparing your Pi for IoT Core

Windows 10 IoT Core is available for a variety of lightweight system on a chip (SoC) devices: alongside the ARM-based Raspberry Pi and DragonBoard platforms, it will also run on the Intel-powered MinnowBoard. We'll stick with the Pi, though, as it's the most popular hobbyist board. It's cheap and easy to get your hands on the device itself, and if you want to turn your hand to other projects, it's well supported with a range of both hardware add-ons and applications.

The Dashboard app makes it easy to install Windows 10 IoT Core on your microSD card

The first thing we need to do is set up the microSD card for our model of Raspberry Pi. That's a little trickier than you might expect because the Pi board doesn't have a built-in BIOS as such, and the necessary code is read directly from the microSD card. This is why it's often not possible to switch cards directly between different models of Pi - even close relatives, like the Pi 3 and Pi 3 Model B+.

Fortunately, the New Out Of Box Software (NOOBS) installer makes it easy to set up the default Raspbian OS - and for Windows 10 IoT Core, you can create a bootable card from a Windows PC or laptop using Microsoft's IoT Dashboard app.

To download it, point your browser here and click "Download the Windows 10 IoT Core Dashboard", and when asked whether you want to run or save it, click Run. In the requester that pops up, allow it to make changes to your PC.

The IoT Dashboard

The Windows 10 IoT Dashboard opens with a list of "My devices", which will initially be empty. Once you've got Windows 10 IoT Core running on your Pi, it will appear here, enabling you to access its features remotely. Click "Set up a new device" in the sidebar, and if you're not already logged in, then sign in with your Microsoft account.

The IoT Dashboard lets you control your Pi remotely - as well as monitor performance and resources

You'll then see a set of options as pictured above. Set your device type to "Broadcomm Raspberry Pi 2 & 3" and choose your OS build, which will be Windows 10 IoT Core. You should opt for the latest build, which at the time of writing is 17763.

You can also specify a device name (the default "minwinpc" is easy to remember, so we have left ours as it is) and specify a password. It's unlikely that anyone will be hacking into your Raspberry Pi, but the usual advice about good password practice still applies - don't use the same login as you do for other services.

At the right-hand side of the window there's also a list of Wi-Fi network connections. Selecting one now will make life easier when you first boot your Raspberry Pi, as it will automatically be able to get online. If you prefer not to do this right now (perhaps because your Raspberry Pi is going to be used in a different location), it's no problem; the first time you boot up Windows 10 IoT Core you'll have an opportunity to choose an SSID and provide the passphrase.

On first boot, you'll be prompted to choose a Wi-Fi network

With this done, it's time to insert your SD card into your PC. A potential practical hurdle is that the Raspberry Pi uses a microSD card, while many laptops only have a full-sized SD card slot. To get around this, you might need to invest a few pounds in a cheap microSD adapter. It also goes without saying that if there's anything on your microSD card that you want to keep, you should back it up before going any further, as the setup process will completely wipe the card.

For the same reason, once you've inserted your card, you should double check that it's been correctly selected by the IoT Dashboard as the installation destination. Check that both the name and capacity are shown as expected, and if you're in any doubt click the dropdown menu and review all the options to find the right one.

Tick the box to accept the software licence terms, then click "Download and install" to complete the process. The IoT Dashboard will now download the latest build for your device. It's a large file, which may take an hour or more to come down the line on home broadband, but you should only need to do this once. After that, the image is stored locally, so you won't need to download it again if you want to reflash the microSD card in the future.

Once the installation has completed, you may come across a scenario where the Dashboard says it needs to format a different drive to make it readable. Don't worry: you can cancel this, eject the SD card, insert it into your Raspberry Pi and turn on the power to boot into Windows 10 IoT Core.

Booting into IoT Core

The first boot can take a while so don't be concerned if you spend some minutes staring at the Windows logo or a blank screen. Eventually, you'll be asked to select a Wi-Fi network - you can skip this if you have already chosen a network while creating your image - and then you'll be taken to the device overview. This brief rundown of your hardware's spec includes its IP address, which you should note down.

The device homescreen has an overview of your hardware and your network address

Once you're into the OS proper, it's a good idea to check if any updates are available. Log in to your Microsoft account by clicking the red person icon on the sidebar, then click the cog icon to open Settings, followed by App Updates in the sidebar.

While it's possible to use a Raspberry Pi like a regular desktop PC, its compact, low-power design is perfect for headless operation, with no monitor, keyboard or mouse. And Microsoft has built a remote-access feature right into the IoT Dashboard.

To use it, return to your PC and click My devices on the IoT Dashboard sidebar. Right-click your Raspberry Pi and select Open in Device Portal. This opens your default browser showing all sorts of details about your IoT Core system. To log in, use "Administrator" for the username, along with the password you specified during the setup process. If you didn't enter a password, the default is "p@ssw0rd" (without the quotation marks).

If your Pi isn't visible in the "My devices" pane, check that the connection isn't being blocked by Windows. On your PC, search the Start menu for "Allow an app through Windows Firewall". Open the firewall control panel, scroll down the list of applications and make sure that WINDOWS10IOTCOREDASHBOARD.EXE is ticked for access to private networks.

Device Portal lets you perform a variety of management tasks, such as changing your password, setting the time on the remote device and monitoring the Pi's performance and resource usage. It also lets you deploy your applications to the device: to do so, expand the Apps section in the sidebar and click "Apps manager", then click "Choose file" to upload a package from your desktop.

Microsoft maintains extensive documentation for developing IoT apps using Visual Studio. Often, though, the best way to learn is to pick apart somebody else's code, so it's also created a repository of samples on GitHub.

Running PowerShell remotely

From the Dashboard it's also possible to access the Pi's file system and run commands on it directly. Right-click its entry in IoT Dashboard's My Devices list and pick Launch PowerShell. Confirm that you're happy for Windows to make changes to your PC, then enter your login details. You should now see a PowerShell prompt that works exactly as if you were typing directly into the Raspberry Pi.

For remote PowerShell access, make sure your Raspberry Pi is registered as a trusted device

If you have problems connecting, first check that you're entering your credentials in the right format. The username should be prefixed by your Pi's IP address and a backslash, so in our instance, the full username is "192.168.1.77\Administrator". If this doesn't solve your problem, your Pi might not be in your list of trusted devices. To fix this, quit the remote PowerShell session, then type PowerShell into the Windows search box, right-click the result and select "Run as Administrator."

Type "new start WinRM" and hit return to make sure Windows Remote Management is running. Now type "Set-Item WSMAN:\localhost\Client\ TrustedHosts -Value 192.168.1.77" - replacing "192.168.1.77" with the address you copied down from your device overview screen. You should now be able to open a PowerShell session on your Pi, and interact with it as if you were sitting in front of it.

Deploying your IoT applications

IoT applications aren't installed like normal Windows apps: there is no SETUP.EXE file to double-click on, since frequently the target system won't even have a monitor or a mouse.

Rather, once you have developed an application using IoT Core, it needs to be packaged up into a bootable image, which contains both your code and the required operating system and device driver files. This can then be flashed onto a microSD card for distribution. The card will start up an IoT-ready device such as the Raspberry Pi or Arduino board and launch a single application, which could be a machine controller, voice assistant, time-lapse camera, or anything else you might care to build.

If you fancy getting into IoT development, be aware that the free IoT Core distribution that we're using here can only create what are called "test images", which are targeted at hobbyists and developers who are wanting to prototype new designs.

Retail images are compiled for live use by consumers, or on corporate networks, and can be appropriately hardened to make sure they are secure. These can only be generated with a Core Pro licence - although you can still do all of the testing and development on a regular IoT Core system and then simply upgrade when it's time to build your final media.