Quick: Name the best desktop operating system currently available. Did you say Windows 10? If not, PC World writer Brad Chacos would like to debate you. He just recently wrote that Windows 10, despite having its well-publicized problems, ranks as the best desktop OS today. This goes against the trend, obviously, with a long line of critics slamming Windows 10 frequently in the tech press. Is Chacos right? Is Windows 10 unfairly belittled? Have a look at several positive Windows 10 features that Chacos highlights.
If you didn’t take advantage of Microsoft’s free upgrade to Windows 10, or just want to have a personal copy on a flash drive, you can purchase either the Home version ($119.99) or the Pro Version ($199.99) direct from Microsoft. The Pro has all the features of Home, plus important business functionality for encryption, remote log-in, creating virtual machines, and more.
To make sure you take full advantage of all the new features (or just to find out what’s new, improved or changed), download the free Kindle Unlimited ebook: THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR DOING ANYTHING WITH WINDOWS 10
More Software
Chacos’ most powerful argument in support of Windows? The incredible volume of software and programs that accompany the operating system. As Chacos writes, no other operating system delivers the depth and breadth of programs that Windows operates. In fact, the operating system offers such a range of programs you probably won’t even use many, if not most, of them.
The most common programs for Windows users include: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. You can purchase the bundle for about $175 – Microsoft Office Home and Business 2016
Apache offers an alternative open source set of tools (except for an Outlook email type program) on a disc version Office Suite 2017 Home Student and Business by Apache OpenOfficeTM
To Sync
As Chacos writes, Apple’s iCloud gets a lot of love. But Window syncing capabilities are actually better. According to PC World, you need only an online Microsoft account to sync a host of items to any Windows computer. This consists of files, photos, videos, browser settings, desktop preferences and app settings. Chacos writes that no other operating system has syncing capabilities that can even hope to rival what Windows offers.
Microsoft has a short how-to on enabling syncing.
The Browser
It’s nearly as much fun to complain about Internet Explorer as it is to bash Windows. But Chacos shows that Explorer has actually become a nifty browser in recent years, spurred on, perhaps, by Firefox. Today, the browser is both easy to use and customize. Moreover, Internet Explorer actually ranks as one of the most secure browsers according to computer-security company Symantec, one more reason why Explorer doesn’t deserve its bad rap.
With Windows 10 you get the option of using the new browser, Edge. Microsoft Edge gives you new ways to find stuff, read and write on the web, and get help from Cortana, right in the browser.
More Information
You can read more about the features and benefits in this write-up, Windows 10: Better, Stronger, Faster?
Which OS do you prefer?