Biggest pros and cons of Windows 10

Biggest pros and cons of Windows

Throughout this article, we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of Windows 10. This operating system is one of the latest applications that technology has to offer.

Everybody would recommend it as it offers everything: regular updates, compatibility with the latest applications, technical support, and so on.

But is it really as good as people say?

Are you on the fence about getting it as your new operating system?

In this article, we’ll be focusing on the pros and cons of Windows 10 after a clean install.

Let’s get right into it!

Table of Contents

  1. Biggest pros and cons of Windows 10
    1. The Pros
    2. The Cons
    3. Compatibility issues
  2. Wrap Up

Biggest pros and cons of Windows 10

The Pros

The Start Menu

This is something you’re going to love especially if you’re thinking of upgrading from Windows 8, which didn’t really have a dedicated “Start” menu. People were pushing and asking for one back. It was a must-have from the beloved Windows 7.

Fortunately, Microsoft listened and now you have one that’s arguably even better than before. With a modern look and fresh style, your PC will certainly appreciate it.

Biggest pros and cons of Windows 10

Dedicated software updates

The software usually phases out and is left behind in the technological world as it stops receiving updates. This makes it impossible to keep up and be compatible with the latest applications.

Developing updates for operating systems isn’t as simple as it sounds, and a lot of resources go into making it happen.

With Windows 10 you’re guaranteed to have the newest and latest updates for a long time to come.

So your investment in this operating system is certainly a safe one and will last you well into the future.

The Xbox App and the Microsoft Store, for example, are places where keeping up to date is crucial for a worthwhile experience.

Reliable Antivirus software features

Windows 10 comes with a significant improvement to its antivirus software compared to previous editions.

In the past, people would readily look for third-party software that would protect their PC. After all, in the age of technology, the viruses get smarter too.

Microsoft went out of its way to support Windows 10 with excellent virus protection. The Windows Defender is included by default in your system and activated with your license.

You also get an automatic encryption feature, activated with BitLocker.

This combo starts to encrypt your files when it notices that the computer has been infected with malicious software or “malware”. Your data is safe!

There’s also the introduction of Windows Hello. This handy little feature allows for facial recognition to log into your PC, and is significantly more difficult for hackers to get into than standard PIN codes and passwords.

If you’re looking for more features targeted at business, Windows 10 Pro comes with even more security options than the regular one.

In fact, if safety on a cloud service is important to you, then Windows 10 Pro should be high on your priority list. It has all the features of the regular one, and then some.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious, it never hurts to have a few extra layers of security!

Biggest pros and cons of Windows 10

Touch screen compatibility

What would the latest software be if it couldn’t keep up with the times? Since we’re in the era of technology, Windows 10 would be ideal for you if you’ve got a touch screen or hybrid device.

As you may know, touch screen devices work better if they have dedicated applications to go along with them.

The Windows 10 Touch View makes it easy to switch between desktop mode and tablet more if you have more than 1 device you’d like to work on, or even with “2 in 1” devices – laptops with detachable touch screen monitors such as the Surface Pro.

This means your Windows phone can be linked to your Microsoft account on your laptop for a seamless working transition.

There is also a tablet mode for better one-handed control and gestures for your Windows virtual desktop.

Complete control over your PC

This is something that macOS has occasionally been criticized for lacking. Windows 10 lets you fully customize your PC the way you want it.

This is beneficial in many ways. You can remove any unwanted applications through the settings, even if they were pre-installed – known as “bloatware”.

You can also dictate which applications are allowed to run on startup and which should stop running.

The updated control panel settings give you full control over your Windows 10 as long as you’re the administrator. Yes, this means you can still lock guest users out from making changes.

Your control also extends to internal functionality. Windows 10 comes with dedicated “Performance Mode” settings, which give you a boost in performance at the expense of battery life. But again, your choice!

Biggest pros and cons of Windows 10

DirectX 12

DirectX is the gaming driver which is essential for all PC gaming these days. Whatever your processor and dedicated graphics card are you’ll game better knowing that Windows 10 comes with DirectX 12.

This is not available on any of Windows’s previous versions.

DirectX 12 is the latest in its series and enhances the gaming experience, from better graphics to power consumption and performance.

Faster operating system

Windows 10 is generally the fastest and smoothest operating system of its entire series. Although results may vary from computer to computer.

There’s no denying that this operating system makes the most efficient use of hardware. From start-up times to general performance, Windows 10 is the best choice for now.

If you’re not satisfied with Windows 10 speed, have a look at extra and unwanted programs running on your PC to slow it down.

Now that’s just the prettier side of things. Let’s take a look at what might stop you from getting Windows 10.

The Cons

Privacy concerns

You may have heard a part of the drama on the Internet, but the biggest modern technological problem is privacy, and Windows 10 is no exception.

Users have expressed concerns in the past, and Microsoft hasn’t been clear with how data is collected and used by their latest operating system.

Applications to track user data are preinstalled in Windows 10. You can disable these, of course, but there’s still a grey area on how and what Microsoft uses your data.

Forced updates

Updates usually sound good as they’re bringing your system to its latest version. However, with Windows 10 you can’t say no to them for very long.

Why would you want to? Well, some updates do more harm than good.

Although mostly they’re security patches and bug fixes to help give you a better experience, there are risks involved every time you update your PC.

Unfortunately, waiting a few days to see how this update has affected people isn’t an option with Windows 10.

Mandatory updates are installed automatically onto your system. You do, however, get to have a say as far as optional updates are concerned.

Biggest pros and cons of Windows 10

Compatibility issues

This is a downside for whenever you upgrade to a new operating system, not necessarily Windows 10.

Your older applications and programs may not be compatible anymore.

It would be a good idea to check whether the programs you want to run on Windows 10 will actually run there.

Besides, Windows 10 has its minimum specifications to be run on a PC. You need to make sure your computer meets these requirements, and we would strongly encourage you to meet the recommended specs.

These would allow you to experience Windows 10 at its best, rather than just meeting the minimum where operational problems might be an issue.

Discontinued applications

If you’ve grown attached to Windows Media Center, you’re likely to be disappointed with Windows 10 as the latest operating system doesn’t include it.

Microsoft has reduced or ended support for some of its programs on previous versions.

It’ll definitely be a good idea to check which apps you’ll need before upgrading to Windows 10, especially the likes of Windows Photo Viewer and a classic DVD player.

Wrap Up

All this being said, the decision to upgrade to Windows 10 is mainly dependent on how much you value your data privacy, and how enthusiastic you may be about relatively old applications.

Still, we would suggest that the pros outweigh the cons, and Windows 10 is worth looking into for a modern and updated experience that’s also efficient.

For applications lost, there’s plenty of third-party software you can try out at your own risk.

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