14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 has just reached RTM, which means that work on the new operating system has been finalized and Microsoft can now send it to OEMs to pre-install it on their devices.
Microsoft was originally projected to finalize work on Windows 10 one week ago, but because of a number of bug fixes and improvements that were still needed, the company decided to push RTM back for one week, so today this important milestone has finally been reached.
The build number that's supposed to be RTM is 10240, just as we reported to you not a long time ago, but Microsoft won't release it to insiders before July 29.
Insiders will, however, receive a different build sometime very soon, but it's not yet clear which version this new release could be. All Windows 10 testers have already been moved to TH1, which is generally known as the RTM branch, so Microsoft could provide them with a release candidate ahead of the big launch on July 29.
Free for Windows 7 and 8.1 users
Windows 10 will be offered as a free upgrade to users running genuine Windows 7 and 8.1 on their computers, but the promo will last for only one year, meaning that those who qualify for the offer need to perform this upgrade during the first 12 months after launch.
Windows 10 would continue to receive updates free of charge during the entire supported lifetime of their devices, Microsoft confirmed.
On July 29, Windows insiders will be the first to receive Windows 10 RTM, while upgraders will get it in waves shortly after that, depending on the number of compatibility issues that Microsoft finds on their computers.
The priority, however, is to upgrade all those eligible to Windows 10, Microsoft says, so the company is ready to launch a global campaign that would encourage everyone running Windows 7 and 8.1 to give the new operating system a try.
