Have you noticed a little reminder icon popping up on your work computers lately? It’s telling you that a new upgrade – Windows 10 – is available for your machines. Like many business owners, you might be wondering whether this upgrade is something you want, and if it will disrupt your normal operations.
As with all advancements, there are advantages and disadvantages to upgrading. Some business owners might decide not to fix something that isn’t broken, and will decide to stay with their old operating systems. The reasoning here is that everything is working just fine, so why bother changing it? That’s a reasonable conclusion, although of course we should all remember that sometimes we don’t know there’s a better method to doing something until we try it!
Some business owners have made the switch to Windows 10 already, due to the upgraded features available. Here’s what you can expect if you do decide to change over to the new system, and how it could impact your business.
OneDrive. OneDrive allows you to sync folders that other users have shared with you, and this feature is only available through Windows 10. If you’re looking for a faster and more convenient way for employees to collaborate, OneDrive could be the answer.
Faster boot times and longer battery life. A faster boot time might not make a huge difference in your daily operations, but it can relieve a small amount of daily stress. As for longer battery life, this will only apply to mobile devices like laptops. If you frequently work on the go, you will find this function helpful.
Improved memory handling. Faster computers means faster work! And possibly fewer headaches as well.
Sync to other computers within the same Microsoft account. This will allow you to upgrade settings across all work computers at once, if they’re on the same account. That means you won’t have to go into each machine and make settings changes when they’re needed.
Free Office apps. These aren’t the full version of Office; they’re more like the apps included on a phone or tablet. However, if your needs for this type of program are relatively light, you might enjoy this feature. Otherwise, you can always upgrade to full Office, if you haven’t already.
Automatic updates. No system is perfect from its conception. Over time, developers discover security holes and small problems with operating systems, and release patches or updates to fix them. You might recall seeing these little reminders pop up from time to time. But on Windows 10, all updates will be automatic. Some business owners would rather have a choice about installing these, but most will appreciate having one less thing to worry about.
The above list is only a sampling of the upgraded features included with Windows 10. This system is a real overhaul to your current one, and it’s not an issue to take lightly! If you have questions about Windows 10, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you decide if the upgrade is right for your business.