Windows 10 Launch Date Revealed by Microsoft

Microsoft on Monday announced that Windows 10 would hit the market on July 29, nearly three years after the company launched Windows 8. Windows 10 will initially be available for laptops and PCs and Microsoft hasn’t yet announced when smartphones and tablets will get the upgrade. The company hasn’t yet announced pricing details for Windows 10, although the final retail price has been tipped.

In a blog post, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of Operating Systems Terry Myerson wrote, «Today, I’m excited to share the availability date for Windows 10. In fact, I thought I’d let Cortana, the world’s most personal digital assistant, share the news. You can ask Cortana for the answer!» He also wrote that four million people have been testing Windows 10 through Microsoft’s Windows Insider programme. Windows 10 will be available as a free upgrade to all users of Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1, Microsoft notes.

To get Windows 10 on launch day, Microsoft suggests that you reserve a copy. The company says the reservation process, for both upgrades and purchases, is simple. An update notification will pop up in the system tray of eligible computers and user can click the notification to complete the reservation process. Alternatively users can reserve a copy by visiting this page. Should you purchase a PC or laptop running Windows 8.1 between now and July 29, the device will be eligible for a free update to Windows 10. Microsoft said many retail stores will be able to update these computers to Windows 10 for free.

Microsoft has said it has been working to ensure that all your apps from previous versions of Windows work smoothly on Windows 10. Myerson wrote, «The Windows 10 upgrade is designed to be compatible with your current Windows device and applications. We are hard at work to make this upgrade process a great experience.»

With Windows 10 Microsoft has tried to create on operating system that works across devices. It brings back the classic start menu last seen in Windows 7 and adds a host of new features such as integration with Cortana, Microsoft’s voice assistant software. Internet Explorer, the default browser that shipped with Windows, has been replaced by Microsoft Edge in Windows 10. Another interesting feature is Windows Continuum, which «enables today’s best laptops and 2-in-1 devices to elegantly transform from one form factor to the other, enabling smooth transitions of your tablet into a PC, and back»

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Windows 10 update history

Windows 10, version 2004 and Windows Server, version 2004

Updates for Windows 10, version 2004 and Windows Server, version 2004

Windows 10 is a service, which means it gets better through periodic software updates.

The great news is you usually don’t have to do anything! If you have enabled automatic updates, new updates will automatically download and install whenever they’re available, so you don’t have to think about it.

On the left side of this page, you’ll find a list of all the updates released for this version of Windows. You can also find more information about releases and any known issues. Installing the most recent update ensures that you also get any previous updates you might have missed, including any important security fixes.

For more information about the update and how to get it, see:

Current status of Windows 10, version 2004 and Windows Server, version 2004

For the most up-to-date information about Known Issues for Windows and Windows Server, please go to the Windows release health dashboard.

Known issues

Certain Japanese half-width Katakana and full-width Katakana characters that have a consonant mark aren’t interpreted as the same character. When you use the CompareStringEx() function with the NORM_IGNOREWIDTH flag to compare them, these characters are evaluated as different because of an issue in the sorting rule . This issue affects all the updates starting on June 9, 2020 for Windows 10, version 2004.

Open the Command Prompt window ( cmd.exe) with elevated privileges.

Run “reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Nls\Sorting\Versions /ve /d 0006020F /f”

Restart the computer or processes to see the full effect.

Important If you have not installed KB4586853or later on the computer, setting an invalid value in this registry might prevent the computer from starting up.

This workaround reverts the National Language Support (NLS) sorting rule to version 6.2, which is used in Windows 10, version 1909 and earlier. When sharing data between systems, consider applying the workaround consistently. If you use this workaround, conduct sufficient testing and evaluations to mitigate problems caused by different sorting rule versions on multiple systems.

Notes and messages

General

IMPORTANT Release notes are changing! To learn about the new URL, metadata updates, and more, see What’s next for Windows release notes.

IMPORTANT Starting in July 2020, we will resume non-security releases for Windows 10 and Windows Server, version 1809 and later. There is no change to the cumulative monthly security updates (also referred to as the «B» release or Update Tuesday release). For more information, see the blog post Resuming optional Windows 10 and Windows Server non-security monthly updates.

IMPORTANT Starting in July 2020, all Windows Updates will disable the RemoteFX vGPU feature because of a security vulnerability. For more information about the vulnerability, seeCVE-2020-1036 and KB4570006. After you install this update, attempts to start virtual machines (VM) that have RemoteFX vGPU enabled will fail, and messages such as the following will appear:

If you re-enable RemoteFX vGPU, a message similar to the following will appear:

“The virtual machine cannot be started because all the RemoteFX-capable GPUs are disabled in Hyper-V Manager.”

“The virtual machine cannot be started because the server has insufficient GPU resources.”

«We no longer support the RemoteFX 3D video adapter. If you are still using this adapter, you may become vulnerable to security risk. Learn more (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2131976)”

Troubleshooting

If you have questions or need help activating or troubleshooting Windows, see our help topics below:

For information about how to update, see Update Windows 10.

If you have questions about manually installing or removing an update, see Windows Update: FAQ.

Getting an error message when updating? See Troubleshoot problems updating Windows 10.

If you need to activate Windows, see Activation in Windows 10. If you’re having trouble with activation, see Get help with Windows activation errors.

To get the latest major update to Windows 10, see Get the Windows 10 October 2020 Update.

Windows 10X launch date just leaked — here’s when it’s coming

By Ian Morris 22 March 2021

We now know a bit more about when Windows 10X is likely to show up on laptops

Windows 10X, a redesigned version of Microsoft’s operating system, is coming this year, if new leaks are to be believed.

Per a report by our sister-site Windows Central, Microsoft intends to launch its Windows 10X redesign, initially slated for dual-screen devices, to some Windows 10 single-screen machines in late Spring. Microsoft is initially focusing on low-cost education devices and enterprise PCs with this rollout.

Windows 10X promises an entirely new visual interface that’s natively designed for touch, as well as massively improved security. And with that massive change come some caveats.

Windows 10X, for example, won’t initially support most existing apps, only those using Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform (UWP). According to Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, this means that older Win32 programs will require the use of Windows Virtual Desktop and Cloud PC to stream legacy apps instead.

Fortunately, full support for W32 applications will probably follow later, likely in 2022. Microsoft’s FAQ for Windows 10X says «Most Win32 apps can be run and debugged on a Windows 10X device without incident» but doesn’t confirm its inclusion from the launch product.

Windows 10X is, in many ways, a preview of what is likely to happen to the wider Windows ecosystem. Windows 10 is now six years old and it still contains a load of visual elements that you can trace back to ancient versions of the OS. Take the mouse control panel: at first you’re presented with the modern look, but click «additional mouse options» and you’re back to something from the computing stone age.

With this gutting of the old code, Microsoft will be able to produce a far more stable version of Windows. This is especially useful for devices aimed at education and people who simply want a basic computer for everyday tasks. It’s a clear targeting of Google’s model with Chrome OS, which has been a roaring success in education.

Windows 10X will also come with far better security. For one thing, the OS uses drive partitions to keep core OS components safe from malware; Windows will be installed in its own partition you won’t be able to modify. Every bit of the OS will be siloed like this, meaning you can only modify files in the user partition. Drivers, the registry and the OS will all have their own storage only accessible to Windows itself.

If you’re thinking about upgrading, you’re in for a bit of a disappointment. There is no current way to move from Windows 10 to the new X variant. Instead, Windows users will be getting an updated version of Windows later this year. The UI will see a massive upgrade, codenamed Sun Valley, and it will be folded into the upcoming Cobalt release at the end of 2021.

Windows 10 launch date: report

Microsoft has been aiming for a late July 2015 release of Windows 10 for months now, The Verge reported on 29 May.

Citing “sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans”, The Verge said the launch plans are on track, with Microsoft working to finalise the Release to Manufacturing code for Windows 10 by the end of June.

The Verge also reported that 29 July 2015 is one of a few target dates discussed for Windows 10’s full public launch.

News of the July launch first emerged in April, when AMD CEO Lisa Su let it slip during an earnings call.

Existing Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users will be able to get a free upgrade to Windows 10 for a year after it launches.

Microsoft has also announced a number of different editions of Windows 10:

• Windows 10 Home is the consumer-focused desktop edition. It offers a familiar and personal experience for PCs, tablets, and 2-in–1s. Windows 10 is also coming to the Xbox, giving games and gamers access to the Xbox Live gaming community, enabling the capture and share of gameplay and giving Xbox One owners the ability to play their Xbox One games from any Windows 10 PC in their home.
• Windows 10 Mobile is designed to deliver the best user experience on smaller, mobile, touch-centric devices like smartphones and small tablets. It has the same Windows apps that are included in Windows 10 Home, as well as the new touch-optimized version of Office.
• Windows 10 Pro is a desktop edition for PCs, tablets, and 2-in–1s. It is similar to Windows 10 Home, but offers many extra features to meet the needs of small businesses.
• Windows 10 Enterprise builds on Windows 10 Pro, adding advanced features designed to meet the demands of medium and large organisations. Active Software Assurance customers in Volume Licensing can upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise as part of their existing Software Assurance benefits.
• Windows 10 Education builds on Windows 10 Enterprise, and is designed to meet the needs of schools – staff, administrators, teachers and students. This edition will be available through academic Volume Licensing, and there will be paths for schools and students using Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro devices to upgrade to Windows 10 Education.
• Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise is designed to deliver the best customer experience to business customers on smartphones and small tablets. It will be available to our Volume Licensing customers.
• There will also be versions of Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise for industry devices like ATMs, retail point of sale, handheld terminals, industrial robotics, and Windows 10 IoT Core for small footprint, low-cost devices like gateways.

Windows 10 Launch Date Announced

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22 Replies

Glutton for punishment and maybe going in on day 1! Having said that, hols on 31st for 9 days so maybe I should wait 🙂

I’ve been running the preview version on a VM for quite a while. I think the final release is going to be stable.

Definitely going straight to 10 for my home machine as I’ve been running the tech preview for a few months now . Work, probably not straight away but soon afterwards.

Definitely going straight to 10 for my home machine as I’ve been running the tech preview for a few months now . Work, probably not straight away but soon afterwards.

Pretty much my plan as well. I have two Win 8 laptops, one work the other play. I’ll load 10 onto my home machine and use of for a bit before taking the plunge with my work laptop.

Desktop is staying 7 though. I’ll upgrade to 10 once I KNOW there are drivers for the video cards.

At work we have to wait until our software vendors certify everything to run on Windows 10.

But I’m telling everyone to take advantage of the fee upgrade on their home computers whenever they get that notification.

Are we still no further forward on the licensing / upgrade for Windows Pro users? Everything I read seems to contradict other articles.

All I want to know is will the companies who run Win 7 / Win 8.1 Pro be eligible for a free upgrade as the Home / Home Premium users will be.

No Matt, enterprise/business is not covered in the free upgrade from what I’v read.

But definitely upgrading my two home devices as soon as =D

I’m going straight to 10 on my home machines.

I’ve also volunteered to move to 10 on my office computer on Day 1 too. I’ve been testing 10 with all of our software and except for one really old web app, which I don’t use, everything works, but we’ll get a better feel for the final product and the upgrade process if it’s used a primary machine, and I’m probably one of the best placed here to root out and deal with any issues.

For everyone else, we’re looking at 6-8 months before we begin to upgrade everyone else (by that time, the web app should be retired in favor of something more modern.

Are we still no further forward on the licensing / upgrade for Windows Pro users? Everything I read seems to contradict other articles.

All I want to know is will the companies who run Win 7 / Win 8.1 Pro be eligible for a free upgrade as the Home / Home Premium users will be.

From the bottom of the page I linked in my OP:

«Our lawyers made us say this:

Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own. Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device and market. The availability of Windows 10 upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices may vary by OEM, mobile operator or carrier. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer. To check for compatibility and other important installation information, visit your device manufacturer’s website and the Windows 10 Specifications page. Additional requirements may apply over time for updates. Security and features are kept automatically up-to-date which is always enabled.»

Translation: «Business customers must, as always, buy it. Shoulda gone with SA like we told you.»

I’ve been running the technical preview and like most stuff in Windows 10. But even though I’m pretty sure about it, I’ll still wait for at least the first service pack/major revision before I bite as a production machine OS..

Are we still no further forward on the licensing / upgrade for Windows Pro users? Everything I read seems to contradict other articles.

All I want to know is will the companies who run Win 7 / Win 8.1 Pro be eligible for a free upgrade as the Home / Home Premium users will be.

From the bottom of the page I linked in my OP:

Translation: «Business customers must, as always, buy it. Shoulda gone with SA like we told you.»

I’ve been running the technical preview and like most stuff in Windows 10. But even though I’m pretty sure about it, I’ll still wait for at least the first service pack/major revision before I bite as a production machine OS..

Is Microsoft still going to release service packs? Since they are changing how they deploy patches, I wonder how they will handle major content releases.

I plan on upgrading at home when it is released. It seems pretty stable from the preview. We have SA here for our corporate office, so I imagine we will test and develop a deployment schedule.

Is Microsoft still going to release service packs? Since they are changing how they deploy patches, I wonder how they will handle major content releases.

I don’t think so.. at least they won’t be calling them that anymore. Not knowing what they’ll be calling the ‘update releases’ I used the old verbiage.

Are we still no further forward on the licensing / upgrade for Windows Pro users? Everything I read seems to contradict other articles.

All I want to know is will the companies who run Win 7 / Win 8.1 Pro be eligible for a free upgrade as the Home / Home Premium users will be.

From the bottom of the page I linked in my OP:

«Our lawyers made us say this:

Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own. Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device and market. The availability of Windows 10 upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices may vary by OEM, mobile operator or carrier. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer. To check for compatibility and other important installation information, visit your device manufacturer’s website and the Windows 10 Specifications page. Additional requirements may apply over time for updates. Security and features are kept automatically up-to-date which is always enabled.»

Translation: «Business customers must, as always, buy it. Shoulda gone with SA like we told you.»

I run Pro at home on my W8 machines because I have a domain set up for testing so had a bit of a panic about having to buy it but I did a little digging and found https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq

Edit: From the way that I’m reading that. If you have a retail or OEM 7 or 8 Pro license then you can upgrade the machine just as you would for normal home use. I did do a quick double check before adding the edit.