14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft finally shared more details about Windows 10 in a press conference on Wednesday, and in addition to all those great features that will come in the operating system, the company also revealed a little bit of something that might hint at what the future of Windows is going to look like.
In a statement after the show, Microsoft's Terry Myerson suggested that Windows 10 could actually be the last stand-alone release ever coming out of Redmond, as the company might now switch to a different strategy that would bring large updates to the core OS on a regular basis.
This isn't the first time that we're hearing about such a project, as people familiar with Microsoft's plans revealed in mid-2014 that the company was indeed planning to dump stand-alone releases and go for regular updates as soon as new features are ready.
Just one Windows at the core
Myerson said that, from now on, computers would run Windows and not a specific release of Windows, as the concept of “versions” will no longer be used for the operating system.
“And just like any Internet service, the idea of asking ‘What version are you on?’ will cease to make sense – which is great news for our Windows developers. With universal Windows apps that work across the entire device family, developers can build one app that targets the broadest range of devices – including the PC, tablet, phone, Xbox, the Internet of Things, and more,” he said.
Windows 10 will be offered as a free upgrade for one year after its public launch for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 users, as Microsoft wants to bring everyone on this new release as soon as possible.
Myerson says that it is this change that brings extra value to the operating system, pointing out that Windows Update will become the main channel to keep a Windows device fully up to date with security, feature, and performance optimizations.
“Everything about Windows 10 – the experiences, delivering it as a service and the free upgrade – means ongoing value to all our customers. The new generation of Windows is a commitment—a commitment to liberate people from technology and enable them to do great things,” Myerson added.
Microsoft hasn't said anything about the possible release date of Windows 10, but people familiar with the matter have suggested that the new OS is very likely to debut in the fall of this year.