Microsoft
A technician adjusts a spotlight at the exhibition stand of Microsoft in preparation for the CeBIT computer fair in the northern German town of Hanover March 12, 2007. Reuters/Christian Charisus

A few weeks before July 29, Microsoft has reaffirmed that the scheduled Windows 10 release date will commence as announced. A new blog from the tech giant provided key details on how to go about on or before the operating system is unleashed.

Per the latest blog posted by Terry Myerson, head of Windows and Devices groups at Microsoft, there’s no stopping the Windows 10 debut and for the most part, fans need only to wait for the anticipated event to unfold. Myerson, however, provided key information that should prepare users on the arrival date and the immediate days to follow.

Windows Insiders first

As promised, the fun starts on July 29 but Microsoft has clarified via the Myerson blog that on the exact date Windows Insiders will get a first crack of the new software, likely serving as a reward for collaborating with tech giant in testing the OS, giving leads on errors/glitches or areas to improve on and suggesting solutions. As of the last count, this club counts around five million members, according to ZDNet.

Eligible PCs next in line

Unsurprisingly, existing users of Windows-powered machines come next and they include users who opted to reserve the free download just a few weeks before. Microsoft has stressed that only eligible machines are up for the upgrade and the eligibility is defined by the company as personal computers running on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 by July 29.

Compatibility issues

According to Microsoft, testings indicate that most of the machines running on the operating systems mentioned above should absorb Windows 10 with none or little compatibility problems but the software giant concedes that issues will crop up. Users will be advised in advance if the upgrade cannot be successfully applied on their units or if it can be installed, they will be informed of the likely compatibility issues.

Most will be given the option to ahead with the upgrade but Microsoft has assured that assistance will be offered to those who might encounter problems such as finding “alternative compatible solutions in the Windows Store after you upgrade.”

PCs bought before July 29 can surely upgrade

There is no reason for PC buyers to hold out on their purchase decisions as Myerson said that new PCs, likely to come with Windows 8.1, acquired before July 29 will are certainly qualified for upgrade to Windows 10. “We will distribute a build of Windows 10 to retailers all over the world, so they can assist their customers with upgrades of newly purchased devices that were originally imaged with Windows 8.1,” the Microsoft executive wrote.

Retail versions to hit store August 1

Then the boxed copies of Windows 10, which some reports said will be in USB instead of DVD installer, will become available starting August 1. Two of the editions mentioned by Myerson are the Enterprise and Education package though no tag price was provided.

Some features are market-, hardware-dependent

It appears too that the new functionalities written for Windows 10 will not be available right after installation. For instance, core features like the digital assistant Cortana will only be available to select markets, initially. Also, Windows Hello can be accessed only on machines with the specified hardware for the feature.

But surely, the Microsoft Edge browser and Continuum will be part of the Windows 10 release date without any pre-conditions, the blog post said.

To report problems or leave feedback on this article, email: r.pineda@ibtimes.com.au.

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