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Firm Management

Are You Ready for Microsoft Windows 10?

Microsoft has officially announced Windows 10, which purports to be the final version of its legacy operating system. What does this mean to accounting professionals? A lot, depending on the uptake rates of the new system and whether clients jump on the b

Dave McClure

Jan. 24, 2015

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Microsoft has officially announced Windows 10, which purports to be the final version of its legacy operating system. What does this mean to accounting professionals? A lot, depending on the uptake rates of the new system and whether clients jump on the bandwagon.

Windows 10 has already been released to developers and others who have registered to receive Preview Versions of the system under the Microsoft Insider Program. The release date for the Production Version will be available sometime after the Microsoft Build 2015 conference next April, and will contain information about final features and a formal release date.

It is deemed to be the last Windows, bringing closed to nearly 25 years of Windows as we wait until the next generation operating system. What and when that will be is anyone’s guess, and leaves open the possibility that we will simply see progressive changes to the cloud product.

Two items to note up front: This will be a cloud-based, SaaS operating system that will be distributed at no cost to registered owners of Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 for the first year.

Beyond these, however, are a slew of corrections that may – or should – deliver on the promise of a multi-platform, robust operating system that can rival OSX and others. Here are just a few of the features tucked under the hood:

  • The Cortana Digital Assistant. Introduced as an app for the Windows Phone last year, Cortana has earned respectable marks as a rival to Apple’s Siri.
  • The return of the “start” button. For those who are enamored of the newer “metro” desktop design, it is available at the touch of a button, and switching back and forth between the two, while largely unnecessary, will be simple.
  • A new browser, code-named “Spartan.” This new operating system appears to end Microsoft’s divergence from other browser platforms, and offers the ability to annotate web pages, read pages more quickly, and easily share pages with friends. The Cortana personal assistant will be built in.
  • A Continuum Mode to switch between platforms. This is designed to make apps more portable across phones, tablets and PCs, easily moving from mouse-and-keyboard apps to touch-screen devices.
  • A new Office 365 for Windows 10. It will include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote.
  • Support for the Xbox gaming environment. There will be a new app for Xbox on the PC, which will integrate with Xbox ne (but apparently not Xbox 360) for better PC-based gaming.
  • Support for voice commands and hand gestures.
  • Support for holographic computing via Microsoft HoloLens. I am not sure how this feature will play out for accountants (other than placing a 10-inch woman in white on a partner’s desk to whisper “Help me, Obi-Wan. You are the last hope of the rebel alliance.”) If you are ready for holographic accounting, you can find out more here, at the official Microsoft HoloLens page.

As noted above, this is not the final feature set, and it is not uncommon to see features added (or, more often, disappear). But it is an impressive list of fixes.

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Dave McClure is a U.S. Air Force veteran who flew a B-52 bomber during the Cold War, then became an Air Force Information Officer to hone his skills as a writer, editor and communications manager. He has since been a consultant in business and technology for more than three decades, with degrees in applied science and Organizational Development, with an MBA in Executive Management. He has consulted with companies ranging from Microsoft to General Electric, and has held positions as an accounting software marketing director, media editor, network engineer and professional beta tester for computer hardware and software . His career includes eight years with the NASA Space Shuttle program for BFGoodrich, more than 20 years writing for business and accounting publications, and his tenure as founder and president of the US Internet Industry Association. He is a global expert on IT, Internet and management issues, and currently serves as the co-chair of the International Internet Industry Alliance.