Microsoft
on Wednesday announced Windows 10 is officially available in 190
countries as a free upgrade for Windows 7/ 8/ 8.1 users and
new PC and tablet users. The company has opened a reservation system, and will be rolling out the upgrade in waves.
(Also
see: How to Upgrade, Download, and Install Windows 10)
The
Redmond giant has a lot riding on this release, with the aim of
patching up its ecosystem after the consumer reaction to Windows 8.
Microsoft is clearing trying to bring the best features from both
Windows 7 and Windows 8 to its latest offering, and does provide some
tempting features for an upgrade. However, Windows 10 also clearly
appears
to be a work in progress, with several bugs and issues remaining. Users upgrading from Windows 7 and Windows 8 will also lose some features.
(Also
see: Eight Reasons Why You Should Upgrade to Windows 10)
Windows
10 is being called the "most secure Windows ever" by Microsoft, and the
firm says the operating system will be "delivered as a service and kept
automatically up-to-date with innovations and security updates." It is
also calling Windows 10 the last version
of Windows.
(Also
see: Five Ways Windows 10 Fixes Annoyances of Its Predecessor)
The new Windows Store and Windows Software
Development Kit have also been made available from Wednesday, giving
developers full access to making apps for the multi-device ecosystem.
(Also
see: Windows 10 Is Here, but Maybe You Shouldn't Upgrade Just Yet)
Windows
10 will also become available to buy for new users gradually, both
online and via retail stores. No India pricing details are available
yet, but in terms of US pricing,
Windows 10 Home will be available at $119 (Rs. 7,500 approximately) and
Windows 10 Pro will be priced at $199 (Rs. 12,600 approximately).
(Also see: Features You'll Lose When Upgrading to Windows 10)
Microsoft
is also offering a $99 (Rs. 6,300 approximately) Windows 10 Pro Pack,
that will enable Windows 10 Home users to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. So,
you can upgrade from Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7
Home Premium, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 Home for free,
then if you feel the need for 'Pro' features, you can shell out the $99
to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
(Also see: How to Reserve Your Free Windows 10 Upgrade)
Or, if you are assembling a new PC, you
can start off by buying Windows 10 Home, and if you change your mind
later, you can go Pro by paying $99, though you end up paying $19 more
if you go this route, when compared to a straight Windows 10 Pro
purchase.
(Also see: Windows 10 Is a Free Upgrade, but New Users Will Need to Shell Out Up to $199)
Commenting on the launch of Windows 10, Bhaskar
Pramanik, Chairman, Microsoft India said, "Windows 10 is the best
Windows ever. Today, Windows 10 will be available across 190 countries
as a free upgrade or with new PCs and tablets. It is more personal and
more productive. It's safer and more secure. And it's familiar and
always up to date. In India, more than 1500 retail stores across the
country will help consumers move up to Windows 10."
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Further reading:
Laptops,
Microsoft,
Microsoft Windows,
PCs,
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Windows 10,
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Windows 10 Home,
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Windows 10 Release Date
MSI RTX 50 Series Laptops With Mini LED Screens, AMD and Intel SoCs Launched in India12 March 2025
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