34/14

Windows 10 Pro Overview
Windows 10 is a series of personal computer operating systems produced by Microsoft as part of its Windows NT family of operating systems. It is the successor to Windows 8.1 and was released to manufacturing on July 15, 2015, and to retail on July 29, 2015. Windows 10 receives new releases on an ongoing basis, which are available at no additional cost to users. Devices in enterprise environments may receive these updates at a slower pace or use long-term support milestones that receive only critical updates, such as security patches, over their ten-year extended support lifespan.

One of the most notable features of Windows 10 is support for universal apps, an expansion of the Metro-style apps first introduced in Windows 8. Universal apps can be designed to run across multiple Microsoft product families with nearly identical code—including PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub, and Mixed Reality. The Windows user interface has been overhauled to handle transitions between a mouse-oriented interface and a touchscreen-optimized interface based on available input devices—particularly on 2-in-1 PCs; both interfaces include an updated Start menu that incorporates elements of the traditional Windows 7 Start menu with Windows 8 tiles. Windows 10 also introduced the Microsoft Edge web browser, a virtual desktop system, a window and desktop management feature called Task View, support for fingerprint and facial recognition login, new security features for enterprise environments, and DirectX 12.