Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 10, will replace its highly unpopular Windows 8, and Microsoft needs to get it right.
"Microsoft lost a quite a bit of credibility in the consumer market just by the way [Windows 8] was launched, even though the operating system was quite good," said Rahul Sood, former general manager of Microsoft ventures and CEO of Unikrn. "It was a jarring experience going from the modern Start menu to the old way of navigating Windows. They've got some work to do to catch up."
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The new operating system must be able to reinvigorate the desktop experience but remain familiar, simple and easy to use, he said. Microsoft aims to woo Windows users who opted to skip the Windows 8 upgrade and are waiting to see if the overhaul will get it right this time.
"I think Microsoft has gone back to the drawing board and rethought navigation all together," Sood said. "They're hoping to see many of the people that have Windows 7 and previous versions of Windows upgrading to Windows 10."
Even as Microsoft says it is listening to consumers and promises an operating system capable of bringing Microsoft customers back into the fold, the mobile market remains a potential pitfall for the tech giant.
"As far as mobile goes, that's a tough one. It's really hard when the app ecosystem isn't quite up to snuff compared to their peers," Sood said. "Mobile is a massive challenge for them."