Tech Talk: Windows 10: Should I or Shouldn’t I: Part 3

By Brian Boston

In Parts 1 and 2, we talked about restrictions to upgrading and how things are changing for both Windows 7 and 8.1 users in Windows 10. Start Menu aside, it’s time to tackle a couple of the bigger additions and changes in the new operating system.

Where’s Internet Explorer?

Windows’ venerable web browser, Internet Explorer (currently IE 11), is still in Windows 10 but hidden away in the Start menu under All Apps, Windows Accessories. The Modern version of IE, introduced in Windows 8, is gone. It sported a very different User Interface and was received with confusion even when revamped in Windows 8.1

Taking center stage is Microsoft Edge, a lighter, faster web browser.

Microsoft took Internet Explorer and stripped out all its old obsolete code to make Edge. That code goes back at least a decade and was retained to allow internal web-based applications developed for use in various companies to continue functioning. Today’s Web standards don’t use this code at all. As a result, Edge is pretty nimble at loading web pages.

Edge mirrors its lean operation with a spare look and feel. It inherited Reading Mode from Modern IE, a nifty way to read articles on web pages without all the distractions that also come with the page. If a web page supports Reading Mode, the book icon in the address bar shifts from its grayed out state and will display a clean page of text when pressed.

The hub icon, consisting of three uneven horizontal lines, stores items like Favorites, History, and Downloads. A pen-with-paper icon allows you to create and save “Web Notes” associated with and displayed on a particular web page and share it with others. Rounding out the options are a star icon for adding favorites or Reading List items, and the Share button to format links to the app designed for sharing.

Edge is probably the least “finished” of Windows 10 apps at this point with more updates due this fall. Among those will be the ability to use extensions from other web browsers.

As for IE, it’s still in Windows for compatibility reasons but it’s clear that Microsoft wants you to use Edge. Its startup page even asks you to try Microsoft Edge..

Upgraders to Windows 10 who are using another web browser as their default will be surprised to see Microsoft Edge starting up instead of their favorite browser. This led to some strong words from the CEO of Mozilla, which makes the Firefox web browser. Fortunately this setting can be changed back a couple of ways.

Cortana can inform and help you organize your life.

The ability for search “everything” has been augmented by the presence of Cortana, a “digital assistant” that first appeared in Windows Phones last year. Cortana combines the power of Google Now’s search capabilities with the personal approach pioneered by Apple’s “Siri” and then takes it up a notch. While these other tools can tell you about the day’s weather, Cortana will respond to the question “Will I need a coat tomorrow?”

Cortana’s “personality” and ability to anticipate your needs can be surprising as it learns your preferences and interests. This information is kept and can be updated by you in Contana’s Notebook. Privacy advocates have expressed concern about the level of information that Cortana can collect. Fortunately, you can control this flow of information through privacy settings and, frankly, by not telling Cortana as much. However, the more it knows, the better it can serve your needs.

Cortana was released on Window Phone 8.1 in preview form in the US in April of last year. Though the Windows 10 desktop version is only available in USA, UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and China at Windows 10 launch, it continues to roll out over time to other countries, with preview versions due in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, and Mexico by the end of 2015.

The reason for the slow roll out is that Cortana not only needs to speak and understand the language of the region, but also use the appropriate tone, idioms, and track local and national interests of the area. The level of formality and awareness of items like local sports and customs are as important as information that Cortana shares.

While people wonder how useful a digital assistant is, the best way to determine it for yourself is to try it out. As most laptops and tablets these days are equipped with a built-in microphone and speakers, this is a simple affair. If you have a desktop system, you can simply type in your questions to Cortana, but I recommend you set the system up with microphone and speakers to make the best use of the assistant’s capabilities.

For example, I love the fact that while I am engrossed in another activity, I can simply say “Hey Cortana, remind me to get the chicken stock out of the freezer in 45 minutes.” Cortana will set an alarm reminder to alert me at the appropriate time while I continue my activity.

Cortana can also tell jokes, identify music playing, and remind you of things when you leave or arrive at a location. You can tell it to launch apps, dictate email, do web searches, give directions, estimate travel times and more. With the evolving nature of Windows 10, this probably is just the beginning of its capabilities.

Decision Time…Almost!

Enough of feature details and analysis! It’s clear that there are a lot of little changes and some big changes moving to Windows 10. Is it worth your time? That depends not just on the kind of operating system you currently have and new directions Windows 10 is going. It also depends on you and your reaction to all this information.

If it helps, I have some final thoughts in Part 4

Till then…

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Boston LegacyWorks, LLC offers talks and individual help on technology topics, troubleshooting and tutoring on PC usage, and services so you can manage and maintain your computer, your network of computers, or how they connect with the world. Contact us for information on how we can help you.

Updated 08-13-2015 9:44am