Windows 10 -Release Dates,Prices,Configuration,Synthesis

In recent weeks, Microsoft is accelerating the pace of its communication around Windows 10. If some information is clear, others generate some confusion, especially around the migration conditions, free for some and not for others free .

-The Versions

If Windows 10 is presented by Microsoft as a homogeneous platform, multi-screen and multi-terminal, sharing the same core and the same applications, the publisher still required to offer different versions according to the public and uses. They are six in number.

Windows 10 is intended for home PCs, tablets and large hybrid terminals offered to the general public. This is the most general release.

Mobile Windows 10 is 8 inches and less terminals (smartphones and therefore small tablets). And we note a homecoming since Windows Mobile was already used before the launch of Windows Phone that disappears it. Windows Mobile 10 will ship with the Office version optimized for touch screens, and Continuum.

Windows 10 Pro includes the features of Home but rather targets SMEs. It incorporates additional security features, access to cliud and mobile fleet management in a BYOD approach. Enterprise Windows 10 is as the name suggests large enterprises with features more advanced security and fleet management.

Note that the Pro and Enterprise versions provide access to the new update service Windows Update for Business. The security patches and functional components can be managed at the request by the directors.

Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise is great declination Windows 10 Mobile accounts to equip smartphones and tablets under 8 inches.

Windows 10 Education will be used in the world of education and offers a volume licensing offers to equip classes etc ...

-The Release date

Windows 10 will be officially available from 29 July in 190 countries. Windows users 7 and 8 will have one year from July 29 to qualify for the free upgrade. Once the migration to Windows 10 made, they will benefit from constant updates throughout the lifetime of their device. Those wishing to be among the first to migrate to Windows 10 can reserve a free license in the coming weeks, says Microsoft.

-The Free, but for whom?

Microsoft communication about the free Windows 10 is far from being perfect and gray areas persist. But for a number of cases it is already possible to say whether or not, free will apply or not.
First scenario: "If I'm running Windows 10 Preview, can I qualify for a free license at the launch?"
The short answer is no. And a more substantial answer? "No, but it probably does not matter."

And Windows Enterprise Edition users? They are simply not concerned. These versions of the OS are available only through volume licensing agreement. To discuss prices, these customers should contact Microsoft directly.

What is important to understand is that a Windows license is tied to a terminal, and not assigned to an individual.

Therefore, if you are running a pre-release of Windows 10, the question that arises is this: my equipment he respects the license terms for Windows 10?

Whether you currently use Windows 10 pre-release does not come into play. Instead, you can get the answer by answering a few simple questions.

Is it a physical device or virtual machine?

With very few exceptions, the virtual machines are not delivered with a Windows license. See the following article for details on how to acquire a qualifying license.

If there is a physical device, such as a desktop, laptop or tablet, the underlying license must be valid to qualify for the free upgrade. Most PCs sold commercially or from specialist retailers come with a home or professional Windows installed. All come with Mac OS X.

What operating system was preinstalled on your PC?

Generally, branded PCs are sold with an operating system, usually the latest version of Windows at the time of manufacture, or OS X for the case of a Mac. If you have mounted your own PC or acquired it as a bare, then it is likely that the latter does not comprise associated Windows license.
Microsoft states that free update applies whenever the device is associated with a legitimate license for Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1. The upgrade must also be done during the year following the release of Windows 10.

Eligible for a free upgrade

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is required before you can install the update via Windows Update. Nevertheless, all PCs sold with Windows 7, including pre-SP1, Windows 10 are eligible.Windows 8: It is imperative before installing Windows 10 previously deployed Windows 8.1 (free on the Windows Store), then Windows 8.1 Update via Windows Update. These installations completed, you will be eligible for a free Windows 10. Windows 8.1: You can mount version to Windows 10 from Windows Update.

Not eligible for free upgrade

No operating system: If you purchased the bare or without valid copy of Windows PC, then you can not recover Windows 10 for free, even if you already have a preview of Windows 10. This also applies If you run Windows 10 in a VM. You must first install a qualifying license.

Windows XP or Windows Vista PC (probably old) is not automatically eligible for a free upgrade. However, you should be able to access it by moving initially to a newer version of Windows, Windows Seven or eight.

Windows RT: Your machine can not migrate to Windows 10. Microsoft said that some features of the OS would be available on RT via an update. When? The editor has nothing statement.

OS X: Your Mac must have a valid license to run Windows. And this applies whether you use Boot
Camp or a virtual machine.

If the preinstalled OS does not allow you to claim free Windows 10, what options are open to you?

You need what Microsoft calls a " qualifying license "if you install Windows 10 on a virtual machine on a Mac using Boot Camp, or mounted on a PC or purchased nude.

You might already have a compatible license if you purchased commercially a copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. You can use this license on any physical or virtual PC. And this copy allows you to be eligible for free Windows 10 update.

You can also use an OEM copy of Windows 8, which is the only OEM version incorporating personal Use Rights (PUR). For some strange reason, Microsoft withdrew these rights 8.1 Windows OEM license. Technically, you can not use an OEM copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 on a PC or a VM you have mounted. In practice, this usage is so widespread that it is impossible to imagine Microsoft trying to enforce these technical license fees.

The best strategy might be to be patient. The boss of the Windows division, Terry Myerson, said that "very attractive offers" are available for OEM customers to PCs equipped with Windows "Not Genuine" licenses . It is not certain that these deals will be limited to China and other saturated with pirated copies of Windows markets.

-Quid Pirated versions?

Microsoft announced: all users of Windows 7 devices, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 will free up version to Windows 10 in the year following the launch of the latest OS.

All users or almost. The first declarations of the publisher could indeed suggest that even the owners of versions of non-genuine Windows or "Not Genuine" would be eligible for free Windows 10.

Microsoft held to clarify his remarks in a blog post by Terry Myerson , head of the operating system division. And the rule defined by the publisher is: No, invalid OS versions holders will not, like the others, install Windows 10 free.

"Although our free offer of upgrading to Windows 10 will not be applicable to non-genuine Windows devices, and as we have always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 clients to devices operating in a state Non- authentic " wrote Terry Myerson .

Microsoft therefore does not rise here of doubt about the eligibility for Windows 10. Several readings are possible. The publisher could open the possibility for users of Version "Not Genuine" to move to Windows 10, but still in a version "Not Genuine".

This message may also reflect the willingness of Microsoft to communicate specifically with non-authentic versions of the owners of Windows 7 and 8. notifications could then be displayed on their screen to encourage them to purchase a genuine license.


"As we are currently doing with Windows Update, we will notify customers in the product with details on how to get their free upgrade to Windows 10. These reports provide more detail and customers can deactivate them at any moment. "

Microsoft also states that it will partner with OEMs to push the update to Windows 10 offers "attractive" to customers old devices running a non-genuine version of the OS.

Recall that the copies "Non-Genuime" Windows are not always pirated versions. Sometimes users unknowingly buy copies of Windows that some resellers or retailers are as lawful, and which are counterfeited and / or falsified.

Prices Boxes

Microsoft has a lot of free press release of the next version of its operating system. This however will only be valid the first year, we have seen, under specific conditions.

Therefore, Windows 10, like previous versions of the OS, will also have a price. The Home Edition or Home of Windows 10 will be charged $ 119 by the publisher, and the Pro version $ 199. Note that to climb to the Pro version from the Home edition, it will cost 99 dollars.

These prices are virtually identical to those applied for Microsoft Windows 8.1, namely 119.99 respectively 199.99 and 99.99 dollars for Home editions, Pro and updating. Note that the publisher has wished to make any comment on tariff information published by Newegg.com and on OEM licenses.

Remember, these rates only apply to users who do not have a terminal with a valid license for Windows 7 (SP 1) or Windows 8.1, or if they do not mount version in the first year of launch. Indeed, after July 29, 2016 , Windows 10 will return to paying for all.

What Configuration?

The PC must have 2 GB of RAM minimum for 64-bit and 1 GB for the 32-bit version. On the side of the storage space, it will book 20 GB for 64-bit and 16 GB for 32-bit version.

Windows 10 Pro version will run on devices with a diagonal 7 inches, confirming the willingness of Microsoft to address small tablets. Consumer version will be reserved for screens over 8 inches. DirectX 9 minimum must be present.

Finally, UEFI 2.3.1 (replacing the BIOS) and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for security (encryption) will be required.