Windows 10's new features: Cortana on the PC, Continuum, and more

21.01.2015
It's official, folks: Windows 10 is finally a mullet. After kicking off our original look at Windows 10 with a bevy of business-friendly features, Microsoft drew back the curtain on the operating system's new consumer-focused features at an event on Wednesday, while simultaneously driving home a vision of an operating system designed to deliver a singular, cohesive experience across a myriad of device types.

And yes, Cortana is coming to the PC.

After Microsoft operating system chief Terry Myserson announced that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for current Windows 7 and 8 users, Microsoft's Joe Belfiore took the stage to run through some features coming to Windows 10 Preview Builds designed to make actually using the operating system smoother.

First, Belfiore showed off some helpful tweaks to Windows 10 features that have already been announced: The Start menu will be able to expand to fill the full screen if you desire, for one thing. The Action Center (read: Windows 10's notification center) is receiving improved functionality, such as Windows Phone 8.1-esque quick action buttons that let you activate features (such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) with a single click. Notifications in the Action Center will be able to be expanded.

More helpfully for everyday workflow, Windows 10 will condense the Control Panel and the modern UI PC Settings into a single interface, eliminating Windows 8's maddening insistence on dumping crucial system tools into two separate locations.

Developing...

(www.pcworld.com)

Brad Chacos