Microsoft
Your workstation is your best friend — the one without whom you’d probably get nothing done. She’s your pen and your paper, your filing cabinet, your (probably) frequent taskmaster, and your window to the world.
You’ve become quite close over the past few years. Your workstation knows your likes, and you know her quirks. There’s been much memory shared between the two of you. But every once in a while she changes — we all do, as time goes by — and the comfortably familiar becomes slightly less so. And then sometimes she changes so much, you don’t even recognize her anymore.
This is a strange analogy.
There can be a lot to learn when you first boot up a new operating system. In this two-part series, we’re taking a look at some of the most important features of Windows 10 and MacOS Mojave.
Let’s get started with Part 1:
The Basics of Windows 10
With Microsoft being standard for the vast majority of industries, you no doubt have had some experience with the Windows OS. The newest iteration is Windows 10, and with Microsoft announcing the end-of-life of Windows 7, many businesses are looking to make the switch. Here are the biggest need-to-knows.
Start Menu
A lot’s been said about the mistake that was Windows 8. In a bid to revamp the UI, the long-loved Start Menu was unceremoniously tossed out the window (pun not intended). To unanimous ire, it was replaced with a tiled display of apps. With Windows 10, it’s finally back — with a twist. Not only had the familiar single column of the classic Start Menu been returned to its rightful spot, but a scaled tile display has been added, too. It’s modern, it’s elegant, and it just plain works.
Cortana
One of the biggest additions to the Windows operating system was Cortana — a personalized, voice-activated virtual assistant. First introduced for 8.1 as Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri, it’s now regularly outperforming its other A.I. competition.
With its desktop integration, Cortana puts your entire workstation right at your fingertips. If you can’t find an application because it’s not been saved to the Start Menu, you can use the Cortana search bar. Or, if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can do a voice-activated search. And that’s just the beginning.
Best Places to Store Files
Windows comes standard with a number of main folders. The big ones are Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Downloads, and for the sake of organization, it’s really good to use them. A lot of people like to store files on their desktop, but that clutters up the workspace and makes it harder to find things later. If you stick something in a folder but can’t remember which one, that’s another thing Cortana can help you find.
Useful Business Features of Windows 10
With the Windows 10 for Business and Enterprise roll-outs, Microsoft unveiled a treasure trove of features all that had business folks positively drooling. Here are a few highlights.
Universal Windows Apps.
Enhanced Security. It’s something we’ve discussed before: Windows 10 is far and away the most secure operating system Microsoft has ever released.
Device Guard is “a combination of enterprise-related hardware and software security features that, when configured together, will lock a device down so that it can only run trusted applications.” (Microsoft).
Enterprise data protection. Many businesses have files and assets containing sensitive information. New protections allow you to lock down specific files so that they can only be shared by authorized users within the company.
Windows Update for Business. It’s no secret — sometimes an update can break a system in two. A more advanced, enterprise level of Windows Update allows IT departments to test, install, and implement new updates or security features on a granular level, reducing the risk of downtime.
Coming Soon: A Tour of Mojave
No, not the desert — though that would be nice. In Part 2 of this two-part series, we’re going to dig into some of the basics of Apple’s latest MacOS. Spoiler alert: the new business features rolled out with Mojave are really cool.
Like what you read? Contact JNT TEK for additional recommendations on how to best utilize all the features of your computer’s operating system.
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