Windows 10 Release Date – Upgrade Features

Countdown to the Windows 10 Release Date

Tomorrow Microsoft is releasing its latest operating system – Windows 10. In an act of what can be considered either generous or daring, the software giant is literally giving its new operating system away. And, just like your average TV infomercial, that’s not all. Users also get free lifetime upgrades and future upgrades occur automatically.

This is a limited time offer, however. Users have one year to grab their free copy of Windows 10. After that, the price will go up to $119 (£99, €135, about AU$156) for Windows 10 Home and $199 (about £131, €178 AU$262) for Windows 10 Pro. Those prices are per license.

Why Upgrade to Windows 10?

Besides getting the latest Microsoft operating system (full version, not a trial) completely free, there are actually several reasons why you’ll want to be upgrading your system with this rollout. For starters, it is the most secure operating system ever offered by Microsoft. As legacy operating systems near their end of life, it’s normal for support to wane, leaving said systems more and more open to outside interference. Windows 10 will be at the forefront of Microsoft’s security team for some time, thus giving users the most robust data protection available.

Another incentive to upgrade is the fact that once a Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, Microsoft will continue to keep it current via Windows Update for the supported lifetime of the device at no additional cost. This enables everyone from consumers to small businesses to take advantage of the latest Microsoft innovations, all while keeping their devices up to date with latest Windows 10 features and security updates as they are rolled out.

For those who didn’t care for Windows 8’s unique look and functionality, and there are a lot of you, you’ll be glad to know that Windows 10 brings back a lot of what most users missed from Windows 7, such as the Start menu. In addition, the system recognizes which apps you use the most and they’ll show up on the menu. And, for those who really liked Windows 8’s tiled Start screen, you’ll find much to like here as well as the Start menu on Windows 10 merges 7’s Start menu with 8’s tiles, resulting in a “best-of-both-worlds” menu.

What Does Windows 10 Mean to Windows Software Assurance Users?

For companies that require enterprise-grade capabilities, Windows Software Assurance (SA) will continue to offer the best and most comprehensive benefits. Unfortunately, Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise are not included in free Windows 10 Upgrade offer. But, active Software Assurance customers will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise outside of this offer. This will allow them to also benefit from the full flexibility of Windows 10 within their existing management infrastructure.

What Happened to Windows 9?

So, the last OS upgrade offered by Microsoft was Windows 8.1. With the new OS bearing the number 10, it leaves many wondering – whatever happened to Windows 9? Microsoft has been somewhat quiet on why the number was skipped, but then again, it’s not like the software company really keeps their operating systems properly numbered. Technically, Windows 8 is Windows version 6.3. Therefore, Windows 10 is “technically” Windows version 6.4. This isn’t the first time Microsoft “skipped” numbers. From Windows 3 to Windows 7, the company introduced Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000, and Vista. There was never a Windows 4, 5, or 6. Another rumor suggests that the number nine was skipped because it is considered an unlucky number in Japan. Since Microsoft has such a large presence in Japan, it would make sense to protect their investment by choosing a less-superstitious number.

How to Get Your Free Upgrade of Windows 10

Windows 10 is only free to users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 and there is a one-year deadline for the free upgrade offer. Your current version of Windows needs to be a legitimate copy in order to be eligible and your device has to meet the new operating system’s requirements. Those who upgrade after the first-year free offer, or those running non-genuine Windows versions or a computer that has an operating system that’s older than Windows 7, will have to purchase Windows 10 at the prices reflected above.

In order to take advantage of the free Windows 10 offer, all you have to do is go here and follow the instructions.

Microsoft is rolling out Windows 10 for desktops and laptops first, followed by other Windows-running devices, such as Windows smartphones, the Xbox One, Arduino machines, and Microsoft’s own HoloLens. On July 29^th, Dell, HP, Acer, and Lenovo will start shipping PCs with Windows 10 already installed.