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| Source: Microsoft. |
Microsoft has made the first major update to Windows 10 available for PCs and tablets. The update offers improvements in all aspects of the platform and experience, said the company in a blog post. Windows 10 also starts rolling out to Xbox One and is to come for selected mobile phones soon'.
".. With this free update we have reached the point in the platform’s maturity where we can confidently recommend Windows 10 deployment to whole organisations," said Terry Myerson, Executive VP of the Windows and Devices Group, Microsoft.
Improvements include:
Performance in everyday tasks, such as boot time now nearly 30% faster than Windows 7 on the same device.
Cortana to be available in Japan, Australia, and India (in English) with features and experiences customised for each market, Myerson said.
Microsoft Edge, the Windows 10 browser, offers improved performance and security, along with tab preview, which allows you to hover over your open tabs and get a preview of what’s on those websites without leaving the page you’re on.
Microsoft Edge now syncs your Favourites and Reading list items across devices.
The update to Windows 10 will also enable management of both corporate owned and BYOD devices. Windows 10 is already actively running on more than 110 million devices including 12 million business PCs, Myerson said.
Two free services have been introduced:
Windows Update for Business provides IT teams with controls over the deployment of updates within organisations, while ensuring devices are kept current and their security needs are met, at reduced management cost. Features include setting up device groups with staggered deployments and scaling deployments with network optimisations.
Windows Store for Business provides IT teams with a flexible way to find, acquire, manage and distribute apps to Windows 10 devices – both Windows Store apps and custom line of business apps. Organisations can choose their preferred distribution method by directly assigning apps, publishing apps to a private store, or connecting with management.
The update introduces two capabilities designed for IT teams to empower people to securely use multiple devices for work:
Mobile Device Management empowers IT teams to use the full power of Enterprise Mobility Management to manage the entire family of Windows devices, including PCs, tablets, phones, and devices in the Internet of Things.
Azure Active Directory (AAD) Join empowers IT to maintain one directory, enabling people to have one login and securely roam their Windows settings and data across all of their Windows 10 devices. AAD Join also enables any machine to become enterprise-ready with a few simple clicks.
Microsoft continues to strengthen Windows 10 as the most trusted platform ever with features like:
Credential Guard, which safeguards credentials inside a hardware-based virtualised environment and breaks the popular “pass the hash” method used in many major breaches.
Device Guard uses Trusted Boot to prevent intruders from installing malware, helping to keep company devices secure.
Windows Hello** enables people to say goodbye to passwords with enterprise-grade biometrics including fingerprint and facial recognition.
Microsoft is also working on 'enterprise data protection' designed to help protect corporate data by separating and containing corporate data from consumer data. "Currently in testing with a number of enterprise customers today, enterprise data protection becomes available to Windows Insiders soon," Myerson said.
The update will also enable enterprise customers to turn off all telemetry data if they choose. "We strongly recommend against this, as this data helps us deliver a secure, reliable, and more delightful personalised experience. We’ll continue to work with third-party experts and incorporate your feedback on this important topic," Myerson added.
*Those already running Windows 10 will receive the November update according to your Windows Update settings. Those running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, can take advantage of the free upgrade offer and receive the November update as part of the Windows 10 upgrade.
**Hardware dependent
posted from Bloggeroid
