Microsoft’s Windows 10 event: what to expect

WATCH ABOVE: The software giant has already shown off some of Windows 10’s features, but we’re also expected to get more in-depth demos of some of the most talked about features, like Microsoft’s voice assistant Cortana for desktop. Nicole Bogart reports.

TORONTO – Microsoft is set to reveal more details of its latest operating system Windows 10 during a live event Wednesday. But the event will also serve as an opportunity to woo users who switched platforms after the company’s widely criticized Windows 8 redesign.

The software giant will hold a special event Wednesday at its Redmond, Washington headquarters – set to kick off at 12 p.m. ET – where CEO Satya Nadella will unveil a more in-depth look at the operating system.

Microsoft showed off some of the Windows 10 features in September, but users can expect more details on things like an improved Internet browser and more uses for Microsoft’s voice-controlled digital assistant, Cortana.

READ MORE: Microsoft skips 9, says new operating system will be called Windows 10

But the event serves as an important platform for Microsoft to revamp its image. The latest version of the operating system, Windows 8, was widely shunned by users who were thrown off by the software’s radical changes.

Microsoft – which skipped the name “Windows 9” altogether – has promised users that Windows 10 will bring back some of the traditional features users love, like the Start menu that was missing from version 8.

“It can’t be overstated how important this is for Microsoft,” Gartner tech analyst Brian Blau said. “They’ve positioned Windows 10 as the solution to all the problems they created with Windows 8.”

Here is what we can expect to see unveiled during Wednesday’s event:

Cortana on Desktop

Microsoft fans have long expected the company to bring its Siri rival Cortana to the desktop – but fans may actually get to see the digital assistant in action Wednesday.

Thanks to Windows news site WinBeta, we’ve already had a glimpse into what Cortana can do on Windows 10 through a pre-release beta demo designed for developers. The video shows Cortana starting Skype calls, adding events to the user’s calendar and taking notes though verbal cues.

Cortana on desktop could offer the same features as it does on mobile, including the ability to ask it personal questions and bring out its chatty side.

An Internet Explorer replacement

Microsoft is also expected to unveil its Internet Explorer replacement Wednesday. The new browser – which has earned the codename “Spartan” – is said to have more modern features and include Cortana integration.

According to reports, the browser includes improved browser extension support, which may allow Microsoft to catch up to browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

But the most interesting thing that may come out of this announcement is the official name for the browser.

Could there be an Xbox announcement?

Gaming fans were quick to point out that the head of Microsoft’s Xbox division Phil Spencer’s name is on the list of appearances, leading many to believe there could be an Xbox announcement at the event.

According to Engadget, over the past month Spencer has said Microsoft is gearing up to launch the “best operating system” for gamers.

“This is the beginning of our discussion with our fans about bringing gaming to the Windows 10 operating system,” he said in an interview with Microsoft’s Xbox Wire.

Microsoft will be live streaming the event on its website starting at 12 p.m. ET.

– With a file from The Associated Press