It’s Official Now: Microsoft To Release Windows 10 Available On July 29

In its latest announcement, Microsoft said it will release the Windows 10 OS for PCs and tablets on July 29, according to reports.

Users can get Windows 10 to their device either through a free upgrade offer or on a new Windows 10 PC, says Microsoft through its blog post. “If you purchase a new Windows 8.1 device between now and then, the Windows 10 upgrade will be available to you and many retail stores will upgrade your new device for you,” says Microsoft.

According to a report on the Wall Street Journal, Windows 10 upgrade will be free for most devices running versions 7 or 8.1 (excluding enterprise versions) but Windows Phone owners will have to wait longer. Windows 10 will be shipped with voice assistant Cortana, Microsoft Edge and the Start Menu that was not available in version 8.1. Windows 10 will also come with free antimalware protection and security updates, reports Wall Street Journal.

Recently, online retailer Newegg.com had revealed the prices of the Home Edition and Professional Edition of Windows 10 in one of its listings. While the Home edition is priced at $109, the Professional Edition is priced at $149, reports ZDNet. Compared to Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro, the Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro are costlier by $10, mentioned ZDNet.

Road ahead for Microsoft with the new Windows 10

A report on BBC News quoted one analyst saying, the release of Windows 10 was important as it might be the software giant’s last chance to crack the tablet market before iOS and Android get too entrenched. The analyst also said BBC News that Microsoft is not likely to create demand for new equipment, the way it did for the Windows updates earlier.

"Microsoft and Intel are certainly pushing the two-in-one device strategy, which could result in some sales," the BBC News report quoted Michael Silver from Gartner, as saying.

At the Microsoft ‘Ignite Conference’ that was held from May 4 to May 8, Microsoft had announced that Windows 10 OS could possibly be the last Windows OS from the company.

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