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Windows 10 FAQ |
1. What is Windows 10 User interface?
Windows 10 is now combines the best of Windows 7 (such as the desktop and start ment and a start menu at the bottom left) and Windows 8 with Universal Windows Platform apps which can be launched from the tiles on the start menu.
The live tiles are Apps written in a new UWP API which uses unmanaged enhanced COM APIs. This replaces the old WinRT apps in Windows 8.
2. What is BitLocker?
Bitlocker is used to encrypt drive contents to prevent confidential data from being read from a thief if the PC or Laptop gets stolen. Ideally, it uses TPM (trusted platform module) 1.2 and as well as crypting programs and data and can encrypt hibernation and swap files as well. The drive can be locked unless and PIN number or USB driveis inserted with the correct keying information included on it.
3. What is Windows Smartscreen?
Smartscreen will warn or block unrecognised apps or programs from running and optionally only those approved by an administrator. This can potentially block harmful apps from running on Windows 10.
4. What is Hyper-V?
Hyper-V (Hypervisor) replaces Virtual PC which allows you to run Virtual PCS on your computer. So, you can run Windows XP or Vista, 7, 8 and 10 (32 or 64 bit) and so on, so that you can run legacy software that has not yet been updated for Windows 10. Hyper-V is available on Windows 10 64 bit Pro or Enterprise.
5. What is UEFI and Hybrid Boot?
EUFA is the new Unified Extensible Firmware Interface which will eventually replaces BIOS for booting Windows systems.
Hybrid boot allows the PC to hibernate the Windows kernel on shutdown to speed up the subsequent boots.
6. What is in the new Task Manager?
Task Manager has been substantially updated with new Performance screen, an improved Processes output, App history, Start-up list, current Users, Details and Services.
It also has links to Resource Manager as well.
7. What is available in DirectX 12?
DirectX is Microsoft's API for graphics, sound and input systems for gaming
and multimedia. DirectX 12 now reduces driver overhead, similar to AMD's Mantle technology. It also achieves 'console-level efficiency' like the XBox. DirectX 12 will support all Fermi and later NVidea GPUs, AMD GCN-based chips and Intel's Haswell GPUs.
Windows 10 supports DirectX 9,10, 11 to run older games using the older DirectX APIs so applications and some games for Windows XP or later can run on Windows 10.
8. What is the Windows Store?
It is a store for users to purchase and download Universal (UWP) and Windows 10 Apps to install on Windows 10 machines.
Apps and other optional features can be installed via Settings, Apps, Apps & Features.
9. Can you image a Windows 10 computer?
Yes, you can use a new feature called DISM which can create WIM files which contains your OS image. Unlike, XP it is a lot more hardware independant, so you do not have to create multiple images due to different HALs or disk types. You can get DISM from the Windows Automated Deployment Kit from Microsoft Downloads page. If you have to deploy Windows 10 to multiple PCs, you can use the new MDT (Micrsoft Deployment Toolbox) on Windows Server 2016 or 2019.
10. What is the Windows Subsystem for Linux?
It enables a Linux type bash shell to run directory on Windows using a cutdown Linux distribution e.g. Kali, Debian, SUSE, Ubuntu etc.
11. What has been removed or replaced in Windows 10?
The tile based Windows 8.x start screen has been removed and, you can only see these Apps on the start menu.
The
charm icons (Search, Share, Start, Devices, Settings) on the right hand side is no longer available. See the new Start menu instead.
Windows Explorer is now named as File Explorer, it no longer has a traditional menu system, but now has a 'Ribbon' in the explorer window.
Microsoft Edge web browser will be the default, instead of Internet Explorer (which has been kept for backward compatibility).
The Easy Transfer tool, used to transfer documents and settings to a new PC or OS. Try File History backups or zinstall Easy Transfer instead.
12. Can I run Containers in Windows 10?
Yes, you can developer and create containers, which are virtualised applications, and you can use it with Docker which allow them to be transferred to servers for production use.
Enable the feature via Control Panel, Programs, Turn on Windows and Features, and select 'Containers'. It will also use Hyper-V technology to manage the virtualised environment.
13. Does Windows 10 come with new Edge browser?
Previously, it came with the disappointing EdgeHTML based app. Now, Windows 10 build 20H2 now comes with the new Chromium based Edge browser.
14. What is Windows Sandbox?
It is a lightweight desktop environment, that can safely run test, beta or other untested software in isolation. You will need Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise and virtualisation enabled to use Sandboxes.
15. What is Windows AutoPilot?
It is a system to deploy Windows and apps to other devices. See AutoPilot.
16. What is Resilient Filing System?
Windows 10 also supports ReFS (Resilient Filing System) which is used on highly resiliant storage spaces using two mirrored hard drives. See these instructions on how to try it out.
17. What is the Window Terminal?
Windows Terminal replaces the old Command Prompt type Window (since Windows NT) with a modernTerminal windows where you can launch different command shells such as PowerShell, Windows Powershell and Azure Cloud Shell.This is available for Preview from the Microsoft Store.