Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Windows 10 Release Date Revealed: How To Upgrade For Free
What is Windows 10?
Goodbye, Windows 8
Windows 10 is the next version of Windows. Microsoft first unveiled Windows 10 on 30 September 2014 during an event in San Francisco and has elaborated more during events at the beginning of 2015 and more recently.
Microsoft reportedly wanted to abandon the Windows 8 brand name with Windows 10, simply because Windows 8 was not well-received by critics and users. Microsoft also said it didn't use Windows 9 because it "wouldn't be right".
The company also didn't want to go with Windows One, because it already used the "One" brand for other products.
The new OS will undo many messy bits that both critics and users didn't like about Windows 8, while also bringing back some Windows 7 elements and keeping touch alive for two-in-one devices.
Microsoft also wants Windows 10 to be a one-application platform.
When will Windows 10 release and for how much?
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 will be offered as a free download to customers using Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Windows Phone 8.1. It will be coming on 29 July for consumers, it has been confirmed.
Announced during its Windows 10 media briefing, the free upgrade will be available to all of those customers - 200 million using Windows 8.1 alone - for an entire year after its official release.
Microsoft confirmed at Build 2015 that while Windows 10 would launch for PCs this summer, the phone part of the operating system wouldn't debut until the autumn.
Microsoft's Joe Belfiore explained: “Our phone builds have not been as far along as our PC builds," explained Belfiore. “We’re adapting the phone experiences later than we’re adding the PC experiences.”
Preview versions of the PC and phone software builds are already available for those foolhardy enough to install them.
What are some Windows 10 features?
Microsoft first held an event on 21 January to show off new features that'll get consumers talking about Windows 10.
Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of the Operating Systems Group at Microsoft, demonstrated both productivity features and universal apps on stage.
The company also held an event at the beginning of 2015 that showed off additional features and expanded on those previously revealed. Here are some of them...
Two versions, one code
Microsoft is developing two versions of Windows 10. Both versions will use the same code; they're just formatted to fit different screen sizes. The first version, for instance, is for a PC or tablet with a screen size that is 8 inches or larger. The second version is for a smartphone or small tablet (aka phablet) with a screen size that is 8 inches or smaller.
Some PC/tablet features
- Taskbar now has a search box with a microphone that brings up Cortana... but more on that later. You can click in search the box and start typing to search for web info, installed apps, new apps, documents, photos, and settings. It'll look online, across all your Windows 10 devices, and in OneDrive (similar to Spotlight in OS X).
- You can access a Windows 7-style Start menu from the taskbar, though it has some Windows 8-style icons. The Start menu can also go full screen, sort of like it did with Windows 8, making it easier to navigate via touch.
- You can access an Action Center that expands from the right. It has Quick Action buttons on the bottom, such as the ability to toggle airplane mode, while the top has notifications that can expand. You can also interact with apps through notifications, if the app's developer includes such functionality.
- There's a new Settings app. It's a combination of the Control Panel fromWindows 7 and Settings from Windows 8.
- 2-in-1 devices can go into a tablet mode when removed from a keyboard(you'll get a prompt to approve tablet mode). This mode includes full-screen windows and a full-screen start menu. You can use touch gestures to switch between apps, as well as tile apps and move the tile midpoint.
- 2-in-1 devices run full Windows 10, so you'll still be able to access PC-type things such as the taskbar.
Phone/small tablet features
- A Windows 8-style Start experience shows up after you unlock your device. You can swipe to the right to see most-recently installed apps, or you can drag down from top to see the Action Center that’s synced with your PC.
- The combined Settings app is also available on phones. It's a universal app across all form factors.
- The Workflow keyboard is still around, though it's been improved. You can of course pull the keyboard to right or keep it in full screen at the bottom, but now there is a new microphone button above the keyboard. It's for inputing voice commands, and it can recognise contact names and automatically add the correct punctuation.
- Messaging on the phone has been improved too. Microsoft is building in support for messaging apps, so you can switch to Skype, for instance, or a mobile operator's messaging app.
- Microsoft emphasised that this version of Windows is tuned for devices under 8 inches, and it's designed to go with the PC version. It'll have universal apps as well as deep Skype integration.
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