Windows 10: 5 things I like

I'm fairly critical when it comes to new software versions regardless of whether it is an update to a web browser I use (Firefox) or the underlying operating system (Windows 10).

Part of that comes from me using a program or system for a long period of time in specific ways that often get torpedoed by updates.

Windows 8 was no exception to the rule and while Microsoft seems to have changed its course in regards to development in Windows 10, it is offering an experience that is often completely different to what you may have used before.

This article is about features that I like in Windows 10. Those are not all of them obviously but the ones listed below have made an impact on my day to day work routine.

Search

Search is not really that different from the way it was in Windows 8 or even Windows 7. You tap on the Windows-key, type your phrase and pick one of the results.

What I like about the presentation in Windows 10 is that it highlights the best hit which makes it easier to identify and pick it.

While Microsoft sorted search results before, for instance on Windows 7 into programs, files and other data types, it never highlighted a specific result before.

It is clear that this is mostly a cosmetic change but those may often be more useful than complete rewrites of features.

Since I'm using Windows on the desktop, I don't have any use for Cortana yet. This could change if Microsoft adds full dictation support to the digital assistant similar to how Dragon Naturally Speaking works.

Window snapping

Microsoft introduced window snapping in Windows 7. I love the feature and use it regularly to display two windows side by side on my 1920x1080 screen without having to adjust size and position of those windows manually.

All it takes is a little drag and drop action to do so.

Snapping evolves in Windows 10 as you get more snap options. While you can still snap windows to the side so that they take up half the space, or to the top to maximize them, it is now also possible to snap them to the top/bottom left or right so that they take up a quarter of space on the desktop.

This allows you to display four windows next to each other similar to how you are able to display two on Windows 7.

Windows highlights the area the window will be displayed in when you start to drag so that you can control that easily.

Command Prompt

While I don't use the command prompt too often, I do use it regularly to run commands or test new programs that run from it.

The command prompt has not really changed that much in recent versions of Windows, but that is going to change when Windows 10 comes along.

For instance, copying always felt broken and useful features such as paste were not even available at all.

Now you can use Ctrl-c to copy selected text (or the current line) and use Ctrl-v to paste text right into the command line.

There are more shortcuts to explore which may improve how you work on the command line.

Windowed apps

This one I like a lot. Instead of being forced to run all apps fullscreen, or snap them to one side of it, you run them in windows now.

Not all apps are designed for that unfortunately which means that you may run into compatibility issues with some older apps.

Most apps do work fine however . What I like the most about this is that you don't switch between two interfaces anymore when you run apps.

On Windows 8, you had to run apps on the Start Screen which meant switching to it whenever you wanted to do so.

On Windows 10, you run apps from the start menu and they open up in windows on the desktop. That's an improvement.

No Charms menu

The Charms menu was terrible as it made no sense to have it in first place on the desktop and even on mobile, it felt misplaced and terrible.

Good news is that Microsoft removed the Charms menu in Windows 10. Part of its functionality went into the new start menu, some into controls offered by windows and another part into the new notification center.

Now You: Any Windows 10 features that you like in particular?

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