Windows 10 Is Coming – Will It Be Free For You?
Later this year, Microsoft will begin to offer free Windows 10 upgrades to every PC currently running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 Service Pack 1, except for the Enterprise editions. Microsoft evidently thinks businesses can afford the upgrade! Exactly when is a bit of a mystery, but rumors are it will be sometime in the July-August time-frame.
How is this going to work?
This will be a logistic challenge for Microsoft, since this will be one of the largest software delivery projects in history. Just how many PC’s are eligible? It is estimated to be in the Millions, yes that right millions – maybe even 10’s of millions.
It appears Microsoft is already laying the groundwork in a recent upgrade. In the description for update KB3035583, the description reads:
“Update enables additional capabilities for Windows Update notifications in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1”
Why Does This Point To Windows 10?
Once the update is downloaded it adds a folder to System32 called “GWX”. This contains 9 files and a folder called “Download”. One of the four .EXE files reveals more about the purpose of the update. The description of GWXUXWorker.EXE states, “Download Windows 10″. This explains the X in the name, the X is the Roman letter for the number 10.
More On Windows 10
Earlier this year Microsoft gave some insight as to the different versions of Windows 10 that the company is building. This new OS will serve phones, tablets, PCs, conferencing systems, Raspberry PI and more.
Read More About Windows 10 Here
Windows 10 mobile will run on both Intel and ARM powered tablets and phones. The Windows 10 operating system versions are expected to be built on the new common core (OneCore) and share the common Windows 10 Run-time.
The Roll-out
Rumors are that an add campaign, for anyone who installed the Optional KB3035583, will begin in June or early July, with upgrades to follow in July or August. During the roll-out, Microsoft will continue to deliver new feature updates. Microsoft’s cloud product OneDrive will be an integraal part of Windows 10.
The big question is how many Windows 7 and 8.1 users will say yes to the free Windows 10 upgrade. If this goes the way of other major OS upgrades, the adoption will start slowly and pick up speed as reviews come in.
If all goes well, estimates are that, in the first year, approximately 90% of users are expected to take advantage of the new FREE upgrade. Will You? Leave Feedback and let us know.