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Windows 10 has finally launched today, with more than 100,000 store staff members advising customers as part of Microsoft’s ‘largest ever’ retail program.
From today (Wednesday July 29th), Windows 7 and 8 users who reserved their free upgrade to Windows 10 will be notified in waves when their upgrade is ready to be installed.
For business customers, Windows 10 is available to start deploying within their work environments. And from Saturday August 1st, organisations that have volume licensing can upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education.
Microsoft says it has worked closely with retailers to introduce programs to help people easily upgrade.
While Windows 10 software won’t arrive in retail stores until mid August and September, some new Windows 10 devices will be available from today.
"Retail partners are ready to help people upgrade to Windows 10, with our largest tech bench program ever. There are more than 100,000 trained retailers and tens of thousands of stores around the world," said Microsoft in a statement.
"Free upgrade programs will be available July 29th, with Windows 10 software becoming broadly available in retail stores between mid August and September around the world. Devices running Windows 10 will be available in some retail stores on July 29th, with many, many more devices to become available in the weeks and months ahead."
Phil Samuels, Computing Category Director at Currys PC World, commented: “Windows 10 is an incredibly innovative new platform, which will connect more dots for customers whose computing needs today need to match their busy, non-stop lifestyles.
"We’ve been busy training our store colleagues over the past few months to help our customers make the most of Windows 10 and all it has to offer. We already have machines pre-installed in-store and a raft of support services in-store and online to help our customers get the best out of this exciting new chapter in the Windows story."
Microsoft has announced fan celebrations in 13 countries and a new year-long marketing initiative.
Microsoft is encouraging people to share how they plan to #UpgradeYourWorld and to vote for a global non-profit organisation to receive a cash donation. To do this, they can tag their social handle using #UpgradeYourWorld and #vote on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
“A new era of Windows starts today. From the beginning, Windows 10 has been unique – built with feedback from over five million fans, delivered as a service and offered as a free upgrade,” said Terry Myerson, executive vice president, Windows and Devices Group, Microsoft.
“Windows 10 delivers on our more personal computing vision, with a natural, mobile and trusted experience. Along with our partners, we’re excited to deliver the best Windows ever, which will empower people and organisations around the world to do great things.”
Microsoft says Windows 10 is the best and most secure Windows ever
"The most secure Windows ever, Windows 10 is delivered as a service and kept automatically up-to-date with innovations and security updates," Microsoft said in a statement.
"Windows 10 is fast and familiar – with the return of the Start menu and Live Tiles for instant, streaming updates of what matters most. Windows 10 is the most secure Windows Microsoft has ever released, with enhancements to Windows Defender and SmartScreen to help safeguard against viruses, malware and phishing and new innovations like Windows Hello, which offers a fast, secured, password-free way to log in.
"Keeping up-to-date is also simple, as free updates will help people stay current with the latest features and security updates for the lifetime of the device."
What do you think of Windows 10? What are your expectations? Let us know in the comments section below.
