Microsoft's new Windows 10 operating system is here, as the longtime leader in PC software hopes that giving the upgrade away for free will help it carve out a new role in a world where people increasingly rely on smartphones, tablets and information stored online.The company is counting on tens or even hundreds of millions of people to download its latest release in the coming months. Many people will also get Windows 10 as part of new PCs. The launch will be accompanied by a global marketing campaign for an event the company hopes will be pivotal -- both for its own future and for a vast audience of computer users around the world.
Windows 10 is coming to PCs and tablets first, but it's also designed to run phones, game consoles and even holographic headsets. It has new features, a streamlined web browser called Edge and a desktop version of Cortana, the online assistant that is Microsoft's answer to Google Now and Apple's Siri.
Still, the company insists Windows 10 will seem familiar to users of Windows 7, the six-year-old operating system still running on most PCs. Microsoft and PC makers want to erase the memory of the last big update, 2012's Windows 8, which alienated many with its jarring, unwieldy design.
Microsoft skipped the name Windows 9, as if to distance itself further from the last release. While many analysts believe Windows 8 made sagging PC sales even worse, it's unclear if Windows 10 will spur the industry back to growth.
Here's a look at the launch and why it matters:
When can I get Windows 10?
Microsoft plans promotional events in several cities on Wednesday, tied to a global ad campaign and a series of charitable donations. About 5 million people who enrolled in an earlier test program will be able to download Windows 10 right away.
The company is also offering Windows 10 as a free download, any time over the next year, to anyone who has the Home or Pro versions of Windows 7 or 8 (but not the Enterprise versions used by big organizations). Some people might not get it the first day; Microsoft says it will deliver downloads in waves, to ensure things go smoothly, but it hasn't said how long that will take.
Retailers such as Best Buy, Staples and Wal-Mart will have some desktops and laptops with Windows 10 already installed. More models are coming.
The company is also offering Windows 10 as a free download, any time over the next year, to anyone who has the Home or Pro versions of Windows 7 or 8 (but not the Enterprise versions used by big organizations). Some people might not get it the first day; Microsoft says it will deliver downloads in waves, to ensure things go smoothly, but it hasn't said how long that will take.
Retailers such as Best Buy, Staples and Wal-Mart will have some desktops and laptops with Windows 10 already installed. More models are coming.
Why is Microsoft giving Windows 10 for free?
The company wants to get the new software on as many devices as possible. Microsoft needs a large pool of users to convince independent programmers that it's worth their time to build useful or entertaining apps for Windows 10 devices. Executives also believe that if people are exposed to the latest and best Windows, they're more likely to try other Microsoft products on PCs and mobile devices.
CEO Satya Nadella says he wants to have 1 billion devices running Windows 10 in three years. Microsoft estimates there are 1.5 billion people who currently use some kind of Windows. Rather than charging them to upgrade, as Microsoft used to do, it's embracing the free download model pioneered by Apple and Google.
CEO Satya Nadella says he wants to have 1 billion devices running Windows 10 in three years. Microsoft estimates there are 1.5 billion people who currently use some kind of Windows. Rather than charging them to upgrade, as Microsoft used to do, it's embracing the free download model pioneered by Apple and Google.
How will Microsoft make money?
Microsoft will still collect licensing fees from PC makers that install Windows 10 on new machines. In recent years, most consumers have waited until they bought a new computer to get the latest Windows. Microsoft also makes money from selling Windows and other software to large businesses and organizations.
In addition, Microsoft is counting on Windows 10 to spur more use of other services. Microsoft makes money from selling advertising for its Bing search engine, and Windows 10 comes with many apps that steer people to Bing.
The company also collects fees from people who use premium versions of its Office software, OneDrive cloud storage and Skype.
In addition, Microsoft is counting on Windows 10 to spur more use of other services. Microsoft makes money from selling advertising for its Bing search engine, and Windows 10 comes with many apps that steer people to Bing.
The company also collects fees from people who use premium versions of its Office software, OneDrive cloud storage and Skype.
Why does this matter to consumers?
Microsoft says Windows 10 is designed for the way people use computers today -- with a faster web browser and features that make it easier to start tasks on a PC and then switch to a handheld device. (Apple and Google tout similar features in their software.)
Windows 10 also lets users log in with their face, iris or thumbprint, instead of remembering passwords, though this works only with computers equipped with the right hardware.
Most PC users are still working with Windows 7, thanks to Windows 8's unpopularity. But Microsoft plans to phase out maintenance and security support for Windows 7 over the next five years, and for Windows 8 by 2023, as it did with the older Windows XP. Still, there's no need to panic about upgrading right away.
Windows 10 also lets users log in with their face, iris or thumbprint, instead of remembering passwords, though this works only with computers equipped with the right hardware.
Most PC users are still working with Windows 7, thanks to Windows 8's unpopularity. But Microsoft plans to phase out maintenance and security support for Windows 7 over the next five years, and for Windows 8 by 2023, as it did with the older Windows XP. Still, there's no need to panic about upgrading right away.
Why is Windows 10 important for tech industry?
The growth in mobile devices has caused PC sales to decline for more than three years, hurting manufacturers like Hewlett-Packard and companies like Microsoft and Intel, whose products are used with PCs.
Windows 10 won't make people give up their handheld gadgets, but it's part of Nadella's strategy to reposition Microsoft for a world where people use multiple devices. PC makers are hoping he succeeds.
Jeff Barney, who runs Toshiba's consumer PC business, said the new software is easier to use than Windows 8 and will complement hardware advances in Toshiba's newest machines. Although Barney isn't expecting a big rush to stores Wednesday, "over time, I think we're going to see a positive trend in sales."
Windows 10 won't make people give up their handheld gadgets, but it's part of Nadella's strategy to reposition Microsoft for a world where people use multiple devices. PC makers are hoping he succeeds.
Jeff Barney, who runs Toshiba's consumer PC business, said the new software is easier to use than Windows 8 and will complement hardware advances in Toshiba's newest machines. Although Barney isn't expecting a big rush to stores Wednesday, "over time, I think we're going to see a positive trend in sales."
Here's Everything You Need To Know About Upgrading To Windows 10:
01: What's new and cool about Windows 10?
Windows 10 comes with lots of nifty new features: The Cortana digital assistant takes the best parts of Apple's Siri and Google Now and adds a little more attitude; the new Windows Store promises apps that work exactly the same on your Windows 10 PC as on your Windows 10 tablet.
Plus, the new Microsoft Edge Web browser has cool new features (like being able to scribble notes directly on a webpage), and it's performing better than Google Chrome in some early benchmark tests.
Plus, the new Microsoft Edge Web browser has cool new features (like being able to scribble notes directly on a webpage), and it's performing better than Google Chrome in some early benchmark tests.
02: Should I bother with the upgrade to Windows 10?
So far, Windows 10 seems pretty solid.
Microsoft has made a free preview edition available to those brave enough to test early versions of the software, with a program called Windows Insider.
And even in that early form, there's been a lot to love. At first blush, Windows 10 takes the best parts of Windows 7 (stability, user friendliness) and Windows 8.1 (touchscreen-friendliness) and combines it into something that's easy to use, both on computers and tablets. It's familiar, but fresh.
Microsoft is billing this as "The Last Version of Windows," and promises that it'll get new features and upgrades on a rolling basis rather than ever releasing a Windows 11 (or 12, or 13.)
Microsoft has made a free preview edition available to those brave enough to test early versions of the software, with a program called Windows Insider.
And even in that early form, there's been a lot to love. At first blush, Windows 10 takes the best parts of Windows 7 (stability, user friendliness) and Windows 8.1 (touchscreen-friendliness) and combines it into something that's easy to use, both on computers and tablets. It's familiar, but fresh.
Microsoft is billing this as "The Last Version of Windows," and promises that it'll get new features and upgrades on a rolling basis rather than ever releasing a Windows 11 (or 12, or 13.)
03: How much will it cost me to upgrade my Windows 7 or 8 PC?
Nothing. For the next year, any Windows 7 or 8/8.1 computer, tablet, and smartphone gets a free Windows 10 upgrade. Microsoft has big plans for Windows 10, but first it needs to have everybody on the same operating system, so it's willing to take the financial hit.
04: Can my PC or tablet handle an upgrade to Windows 10?
Microsoft says the basic system requirements to run its new OS are: 1GHz or faster processor or SoC; 1 GB RAM (for 32-bit version), 2GB RAM (for 64 bit-version); 16 GB hard drive (for 32-bit version), 20 GB hard drive (for 64-bit version); a Directx 9 or later graphics card with WDDM 1.0 driver; 800x600 display.
Most PCs will probably meet these requirements -- and the Get Windows 10 app that you probably already have on your computer will tell you for sure.
Most PCs will probably meet these requirements -- and the Get Windows 10 app that you probably already have on your computer will tell you for sure.
05: So, can I get Windows 10 on July 29th?
Sort of. On July 29th, the first batch of computers with Windows 10 preinstalled will be available for sale. There won't initially be many of those computers available though, as a lot of PC manufacturers are holding back their new models until the back-to-school shopping or holiday seasons.
06: What if I don't want to buy a new computer?
Microsoft is making Windows 10 available for download, starting on July 29th.
07: So, I can download Windows 10 on July 29th?
Sort of. Again.
First, it will go out to the members of the Windows Insider program, to thank them for their service in testing the operating system. Then, it will go out to one group of users at a time over the next few weeks, starting on July 29th -- Microsoft doesn't want to risk a tidal wave of Windows 10 downloads taking its servers down.
You might have already signed up to get in line for the download. Microsoft has been bugging Windows users about the upgrade for the last month or so, via a "Get Windows 10" app in your system tray. That same app will check your computer for compatibility with Windows 10.
First, it will go out to the members of the Windows Insider program, to thank them for their service in testing the operating system. Then, it will go out to one group of users at a time over the next few weeks, starting on July 29th -- Microsoft doesn't want to risk a tidal wave of Windows 10 downloads taking its servers down.
You might have already signed up to get in line for the download. Microsoft has been bugging Windows users about the upgrade for the last month or so, via a "Get Windows 10" app in your system tray. That same app will check your computer for compatibility with Windows 10.
08: So if I absolutely need to make sure I have Windows 10 on July 29th, I have to buy a new computer?
Basically, yes.
09: If I upgrade my existing computer to Windows 10, will I lose my files?
Nope. The actual download and install process is handled through Windows Update, so Windows 10 will still have everything once the process is complete.
The only catch is that you'll lose some programs like Windows Media Center, which doesn't have a Windows 10 version.
The only catch is that you'll lose some programs like Windows Media Center, which doesn't have a Windows 10 version.
