After about 6 months from its release, the time has come to give a report on what the new Windows 10 operating system is, released in the summer of 2015, for the first time as a free update for everyone. Windows 10 is an important step for Microsoft, not only in an attempt to revive the stagnant PC market, but also to give the world a definitive operating system, which is complete and to which it is possible, through regular updates, to add new functions (without so having to launch a Windows 11 in a year).
Beyond the technical descriptions, already summarized in the article on the new functions of Windows 10, we see here the best and the worst of Windows 10, that is, the most useful and most appreciated functions and the worst features that should instead be improved, which we do not like them or they still leave a little bitter taste in the mouth.
READ ALSO: Windows 10 functions to always use
1) The new Start Menu : good, great, but not what I wanted.
After the sensational flop of Windows 8, where a Start menu is missing, Microsoft has decided to accept the criticisms of its customers by returning an old-fashioned Start menu in Windows 10, which is deactivated only in tablet mode.
The idea of putting the Start menu back to Windows has certainly been appreciated, but its realization has not fully satisfied.
The problem lies in the predominance of the apps compared to traditional programs and the lack of a category organization criterion that was the strength of the Windows XP and Windows 7 Start menu.
As seen in a specific guide, the Windows 10 Start menu can be customized in many ways, leaving the user many possibilities to configure it according to their needs.
Despite this, however, I preferred to use the Classic Shell program to return to a traditional Windows 7 Start menu, which remains more comfortable for me.
2) Settings menu : surely one of the best features of Windows 10.
To change settings and options in Windows, before Windows 10, it was always necessary to open that Control Panel cauldron, complete with everything, but absolutely difficult to use not only for the less experienced.
In Windows 8 and 8.1 there is a different Settings screen, which however is a bit hidden and above all it is incomplete.
With Windows 10, Microsoft has done things well, adding a direct button in the Start menu that leads to Windows Settings and dividing these settings into well-designed and easy to understand categories for everyone.
In another article, the guide to Windows 10 settings.
3) Cortana : a little used "best"
With Windows 10 you activate the Cortana voice assistant to manage your PC verbally.
Its operation is truly avant-garde, as in science fiction films of many years ago, capable of understanding every question and providing appropriate answers.
The problem with Cortana does not depend on its implementation at all, but only on the lack of habit that a PC user has in handling things with voice commands.
If the voice assistant makes sense on a smartphone or tablet, it is less useful on a PC where it is much easier to open programs and applications with keyboard and mouse rather than speaking aloud.
Although not necessary, I still recommend trying to use Cortana in Windows 10 because after getting used to it, you will be able to find out how useful it is especially in doing research on the PC, to manage the calendar and the mail and for entertainment.
In another article, the list of things to say to Cortana in Windows 10 and ways to use the voice assistant
4) Notification Center : good function, but for now unnecessary.
In Windows 10 there is a notification center very similar to that of mobile phones, where system warnings and messages from various applications appear.
The problem with the notification center is that it only works with applications and not with traditional programs.
It therefore becomes good if you use, for example, the Mail app of Windows 10, but it serves almost nothing if you do not use the various applications that send notifications.
In tablet mode, the notification center is certainly more useful, especially because there are switches to activate and deactivate things such as Wifi, bluetooth and the tablet mode itself.
5) Tablet mode : perhaps the real added value in Windows 10.
One of the reasons why Windows 8 was a failure stemmed from Microsoft's idea that tablets and PCs could work well with the same operating system.
In Windows 10, Microsoft has finally recognized that tablets and PCs are meant to function differently.
In tablet mode, the Start menu expands to full screen and the management of apps and programs is optimized for touch screens.
Tablet mode is one of the main factors in the relaunch of hybrid PCs, with a removable keyboard, which work very well with Windows 10.
6) Microsoft Edge : the new browser is strong, but for now it remains unused
The good news is that in Windows 10 Internet Explorer was finally retired, still available but hidden and covered by the new browser from Microsoft called Edge.
Microsoft Edge, compared to Chrome and Firefox, is really valuable, both in terms of security and speed.
It also includes useful tools like the one for taking notes on web pages, how to read and integration with Cortana.
The problem is that it has no extensions yet, thus remaining significantly lower, as possibilities and customizations, to Firefox and above all Chrome.
7) Windows 10 Privacy settings : the worst side
Microsoft, by default, monitors and records the use of the computer, so as to raise the suspicion that there is a real Keylogger in Windows 10.
In another article, the guide to privacy settings to be disabled in Windows 10, which I recommend everyone to read.
8) Automatic and forced updates : useful but not too welcome feature.
Who has Windows 10 Home edition can not do anything to postpone or give up the updates that Microsoft releases with Windows Update.
Those who have Windows 10 Pro instead can delay them, but not disable them.
This update management change was designed by Microsoft to prevent computers from being left without important security patches and fixes.
Conversely, however, the chances increase that, after an update, the computer has problems (not frequent, but in the past it happened).
IN another article, how Windows Update works in Windows 10 and how to block updates.
9 and 10) Some strange bugs and errors (bad) often solved with an automatic repair function (excellent)
Even if Windows 10 is an operating system released recently, you cannot justify and bear the appearance of some bugs that affect the functioning of the computer.
We had to dedicate a specific article to fixes for Windows 10 frequent errors.
Luckily, Microsoft has made it easier to repair Windows 10 and restore it without losing data.
READ ALSO: First options to be changed in Windows 10
