The whole world’s getting ready for the big moment

Jun 29, 2015 10:37 GMT  ·  By

Windows 10 is definitely one of the most awaited products of the year and Microsoft has somehow managed to stir up interest in its operating system in a very clever way, with the Windows Insider program keeping it in the spotlight for the whole time since October.

And it’s no surprise that Microsoft tried this approach, especially considering that, for the company, this is one of the most important moments in the history of the “new Microsoft,” led by Satya Nadella and without some of the people who were often criticized for their failures, such as Steve Ballmer (and more recently Stephen Elop).

Windows 10 will be a game changer, that’s for sure, and the whole world is preparing for the big event on July 29, when Microsoft will finally push the green button and let everyone download the final bits of the operating system.

What happens on July 29?

While Microsoft is yet to announce a launch party for Windows 10, expect one to happen. Microsoft clearly wants to introduce Windows 10 with much fanfare, just to make everyone aware of the features it brings and of the free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users.

CEO Satya Nadella has said that it’s a priority to upgrade as many 7 and 8 users to Windows 10 and called for everyone, including company employees, to support this effort and bring as many users as possible to the new OS.

So expect a big launch event, probably bigger than the one for Windows 8, which took place in Times Square and took over all the billboards for an avalanche of ads showing the Modern UI.

Windows 8 took over Times Square on October 26, 2012
Windows 8 took over Times Square on October 26, 2012

If you are a Windows 7 and 8.1 user, on July 29 you will finally be offered the Windows 10 upgrade. The company rolled out a reservation tool that allows you to “reserve” your free upgrade to Windows 10 (we used the quotes because you don’t actually reserve your upgrade - you can perform it anytime in the first year after launch). If you do that, however, all necessary files are downloaded in the background, so on July 29, the installer should show up and let you perform the upgrade.

If you are a new user, on July 29 you should be able to buy Windows 10, either as a digital download, on DVD, or on USB flash drives. You just pick the version that better suits you and you’re good to go. Pricing is the same as for Windows 8, so you have to pay only $119.99 for the Home version and $199.99 for the Pro (in the United States). Pricing will vary by country but will be the same as for Windows 8.

Overall, July 29 is the day we are all expecting, and we’re not only referring to users. Microsoft and PC makers also have high hopes that Windows 10 will boost their sales, so everyone will have their fingers crossed that day.

Until then, you might want to prepare your PC with the Windows 10 hero wallpaper and with Insider Preview builds that let you get a taste of the new OS in pre-release form.

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The Start menu will return in Windows 10
Windows 8 took over Times Square on October 26, 2012
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