‘Windows 10’ Available for Public Release Later in 2015, Free Upgrade for Windows 8.1 Users on First Year

Windows 10, the next upgrade to Microsoft's proprietary operating system, will be available for public release "later in the year" in 2015, according to Microsoft's Terry Myerson during the company's January 21 event. As already made known before, the latest upgrade to Microsoft's proprietary computer operating system aims to address present shortcomings in the user interface as well as to unify the Windows, Windows Phone, and Windows Embedded product families around a common internal core.

Back in July, CEO Satya Nadella already announced that the company was planning to "streamline the next version of Windows from three operating systems into one single converged operating system for screens of all sizes." Myerson then also promised that Windows 10 would be Microsoft's "most comprehensive platform ever," capable of providing a single, unified platform for desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones and all-in-one devices. Regarding the choice of name for their next computer operating system, Myerson did not explain why Microsoft skipped directly from Windows 8 to Windows 10, saying only that "based on the product that's coming, and just how different our approach will be overall, it wouldn't be right."

A 'Windows Technical Preview' or public beta of Windows 10 was released on October 1, 2014. Testers who opt into the 'Windows Insider' program receive occasional automatic updates to the Windows Technical Preview, allowing Microsoft to collect feedback on changes throughout development of Windows 10. On January 10, Microsoft also introduced a Phone Insider application at the Windows Phone Store which "provides registered Windows Insiders the ability to receive pre-release OS updates on their phone, directly from Microsoft."

Microsoft confirmed that the two most recent Windows versions, namely Windows 7 and 8.1, will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 directly. Also, Windows 10 will be free for Windows 8.1 users for its first year. Moreover, Windows 10 will require a fresh install for devices running older than Windows 7 operating systems.