Microsoft seeks to uplift communities through new OS Windows 10

Launch of Windows 10 at Century City Mall in Makati City.

Marking its 20^th year in the Philippines, Microsoft Corporation on Wednesday vowed to improve the lives of communities through technology as it launched its newest operating system, the Windows 10, at Century City Mall in Makati City.

Calling it the “best Windows ever,” Microsoft Philippines managing director Karrie Ilagan said Windows 10 was not only a mere operating system, but also a tool that would be used to inspire people and organizations to empower others.

“This year gives us the opportunity to reiterate our commitment to help support the growth and development here in the country. Our goal is to empower Filipinos and Philippine-based organizations to do more and achieve more, and this we will do through technology, partnerships, and the campaigns and programs that we have in place,” Ilagan said during the launch.

Launching its newest campaign #UpgradeYourWorld, Microsoft will collaborate with 10 non-government organizations (NGOs) with causes on education, environment, poverty, HIV, and humanitarian relief, among others.

“This is our sustainable initiative that follows our vision of helping people achieve more through technology,” said Ilagan.

“We will continue to focus on the things that we are truly passionate about—improving the quality of education and the capability of our teachers, sparking entrepreneurship and innovation, and just finding new ways to create great impact for the world and for the country,” she added.

The NGOs, which include Save The Children, Keep a Child Alive, The Nature Conservancy, Pencils of Promise, and The Global Poverty Project, are set to receive $500,000 million of investments each, along with technology, services, and project promotion.

“Windows 10 offers a more human, more natural way to do things, whether it’s empowering the youth through education, starting a business that creates employment, or creating policies that make the world a better place,” Ilagan said. “Windows 10 was built for those who do.”

2009 CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida, who also attended the launch along with other Windows ambassadors, said Windows 10 would help teachers like him to encourage more children to pursue education despite difficulties and limitations.

“I think the children, our kids in the center will definitely like it. Probably, hopefully, through Windows 10 upgrade, we will also upgrade our teaching strategies, on how we can efficiently deliver learning and make it easier for everyone,” he said.

Peñaflorida was hailed a global hero by CNN for reaching out to street children through his kariton (pushcart) classroom.

“We want to entice them through the mobile school, we want to entice them to love learning, and eventually we want to send them back to regular school… so that they become productive citizens of the country,” he added.

Windows 10 was made available to 190 countries, including the Philippines, as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 devices, or with new tablets and personal computers.

Dubbed as the “most secure Windows ever,” Ilagan said Windows 10 was “delivered as a service” and kept up-to-date with security updates. It also has enhancements to Windows Defender and SmartScreen to combat viruses, malwares, and phishing.

Its new features include a face detection login system, simultaneous access to different applications or “multitasking,” new Microsoft Edge browser, personal digital assistant Cortana, Microsoft Mobile Phone Companion app, Office Mobile apps, and voice, pen, and gesture inputs for interaction.

“Windows 10 celebrates people, organization, celebrities around the world that inspire and empower through their work and continue to upgrade the world each day,” Ilagan said. “Why do we do this? It’s because what they are doing is true to the mission of Microsoft and share the passion we have in making a difference in the lives of not just our customers but the world.”