history of Window 2015: Windows 10—The best Windows yet

history of Window 2015: Windows 10—The best Windows yet

Windows 10 arrives early in 2015—but not all at once. Microsoft makes early versions of the operating system available to enthusiasts via th... 7:52 PM

Windows 10 arrives early in 2015—but not all at once. Microsoft makes early versions of the operating system available to enthusiasts via the Windows Insider Program, inviting customers to contribute to the development and future of Windows 10. Devices worldwide are super‑connected and sharing content at incomparable speeds, and Windows 10 works to make that collaboration seamless and delightful.

The Windows Insider Program plays an important part in making Windows 10 great. Insiders explore and respond to preview builds, which means Microsoft can develop solutions in response to direct feedback from the consumers who use Windows every day.

Beyond the box

This is the first time that a Windows upgrade is offered free to customers. Only one month after launching, 75 million devices are running Windows 10. Microsoft hopes to see Windows 10 installed on one billion devices by 2018.

The operating system delivers an upgraded Windows interface, focusing on the iconic Start menu and building an intuitive experience from there. Windows 10 introduces a new Microsoft voice that's more conversational and approachable than before. Cortana—the first digital personal assistant from Microsoft—makes her first appearance on a PC with Windows 10, following her successful introduction on the Windows 8.1 phone. Learning from the behaviors and preferences of each person she interacts with, Cortana creates a personalized experience that carries across Windows PCs, tablets, and phones. She’s intelligent, witty, and a huge step forward in the journey toward a more personal Windows.

Windows 10 also introduces Windows as a service. It moves away from big releases with long timelines, opting instead for frequent, automatic advancements. Windows 10 seeks to evolve and advance human lives, uninterrupted.

Geek trivia: Cortana supports six languages at the time of launch, each with a dedicated local writing team to ensure that Cortana’s personality—and jokes—translate across cultures.