1 of 11 10 Reasons Why Upgrading to Windows 10 Makes Sense There are many reasons why users should upgrade to Windows 10, such as its enhanced security and smarter Cortana. Plus, if you upgrade now, it's free.

2 of 11 There Are Major Design Improvements Windows 10 comes with one of the better designs Microsoft has offered in years. The operating system brings back the handy Start Menu and strips away the clutter to put content front and center. Many people didn't update to Windows 8.1 because of its design, but those folks won't have the same issue with Windows 10.

3 of 11 Consider the Anniversary Update The Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which Microsoft will release Aug. 2, has a number of improvements that could persuade users to accept the upgrade. The enhancements include an updated Windows Defender to protect against cyber-threats. There are also the Windows Ink note-taking feature and a smarter Cortana digital assistant that can save and recall important information such as a frequent flyer number.

4 of 11 Windows 8.1 Is a Mess There are still some folks running Windows 8.1. That's a mistake. Windows 8.1's design is subpar even compared with earlier Windows versions. Plus, it has fewer security features than Windows 10, and it doesn't have nice extras such as the Edge browser. Windows 8.1 is a second-rate operating system compared with Windows 10.

5 of 11 The Leap From Windows 7 to Windows 10 Is Comfortable Some haven't updated to Windows 10 for fear of the jump from Windows 7 being too steep. However, Microsoft has done a fine job of making Windows 10 an easy transition from Windows 7. Users will quickly find much that looks and feels familiar in Microsoft's latest operating system. Best of all, Windows 7 applications should run just fine on Windows 10.

6 of 11 Cortana Is Smarter Than Ever As noted, Cortana is getting a meaningful upgrade in the Anniversary Update, but it's already a nice feature in Windows 10. The virtual personal assistant is capable of making recommendations, setting dates and alerting users to important events. Cortana isn't just a gimmick and actually comes in quite handy on Windows 10 devices of all types.

7 of 11 It's a Touch-Friendly Operating System As an increasing number of people turn to two-in-one hybrids, it's nice to know that Windows 10 is designed for those devices. In fact, the operating system is by far the most touch-friendly desktop operating system on the market and works exceedingly well on devices that can transition from a notebook to a tablet. Anyone looking to get a hybrid notebook will want Windows 10.

8 of 11 It's Optimized for the Latest Hardware Microsoft has made Windows 10 a lightweight operating system capable of running on the latest hardware. That means the operating system won't be too resource-intensive and will allow users to work with computers that might not have high-end processing power. Microsoft has done a fine job of optimizing Windows 10 so it gets out of the way and lets users get work done on all hardware types.

9 of 11 The Security Protection Is Top-Notch When it comes to security, Windows 10 is no slouch. The operating system comes with Windows Defender, a security system that was included in earlier Windows versions. However, Defender has been steadily upgraded over the years and runs in the background to seek out malware and spyware, much like add-on security applications you have to pay extra for. In addition, Microsoft itself actively seeks out cyber-threats across the world and distributes security patches as needed to keep the platform more secure. Of course, no operating system is completely secure, but compared with earlier versions, Windows 10 is well-protected.

10 of 11 The Xbox One Connection Could Play a Role Xbox One console owners have good reason to upgrade to Windows 10, as Microsoft's latest operating system gives them the ability to play Xbox games on their computers. Xbox Play Anywhere allows users to play Xbox games interchangeably on the Xbox One console and on a Windows 10 PC and maintain their place and progress in the game.