Microsoft Corporation

Windows 10 is a free upgrade for all Windows 7 and 8.1 users

21 January 2015 7:25 PM

Windows 10 will be free

Windows 10 is a free upgrade for all Windows 7 and 8.1 users.


Wondering how much Windows 10 will set you back? In most cases, more or less nothing. Microsoft has announced that the new operating system will be a free upgrade in the first year for everyone using Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows Phone 8.1. The company sees Windows as a service rather than a product, Terry Myerson explains.

Microsoft is partly following in Apple’s footsteps (OS X upgrades have been free since Mavericks), but can you really complain about getting a big update for free?

Joe Belfiore demonstrated Cortana, which Microsoft announced it has added to the PC

Joe Belfiore demonstrated Cortana, which Microsoft announced it has added to the PC.


Windows 10 brings the same operating system to devices of all sizes, rather than having different ones for PCs/tablets, mobile phones and the firm’s Xbox games console.

One of the features highlighted at the presentation was how Cortana – the voice-controlled digital assistant previously limited to Windows Phone handsets – would now work on PCs.

Cross-device multiplayer gaming, Game DVR & more. The @Xbox experience is coming to #Windows10.

Cross-device multiplayer gaming, Game DVR & more. The @Xbox experience is coming to #Windows10.

Microsoft is currently live with Windows 10 Briefing: Watch the live event here.

More update problems for the Windows Phone 7

30 April 2011 1:08 PM
More update problems for Windows Phone 7

Samsung Omnia 7 (Credit - Samsung)

It may be more of a stumble than a full-on trip, but Microsoft is having a bit more technical trouble with it’s Windows Phone 7 update.

Microsoft’s Michael Stroh, who writes for the Windows blog, acknowledged yesterday that the company stopped sending updates to Samsung Omnia 7 phones. Those are the same phones that were rendered useless, or “bricked,” when Microsoft started to roll out the so-called NoDo update in February.

“The team discovered a technical issue with the update package for this model.” Stroh wrote in a reply to questions posted on the Windows Phone blog. His reply was first reported by the WinRumors website.

Stroh said Microsoft is working to fix the problem. “The work of fixing and testing the package is nearly done, and the team hopes to resume update deliveries soon” Stroh wrote. “When I know more about the timing, I’ll pass it along.”

The update problems seem limited to the Samsung phones. According to Microsoft’s Where’s my phone update Web page, the company is delivering the update to most other Windows Phone 7 devices at this point.

The company really can’t afford any more missteps with the update. After the initial software push that bricked the Samsung phones, Microsoft pulled the update to fix some bugs.

After 40 Million Downloads, Microsoft Launches Internet Explorer 9

15 March 2011 2:08 AM

After 40 Million Downloads, Microsoft Launches Internet Explorer 9

After months of beta testing, has finally released the final version of Internet Explorer 9 to the masses.

Microsoft debuted the new browser at a launch event at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. Dean Hachamovitch, the corporate vice president of Internet Explorer, told the story of how Microsoft built IE9 from scratch.

Microsoft launched the IE9 beta last year to generally positive reviews. Last month, Microsoft unveiled the IE9 release candidate. In total, the IE9 Beta and release code have already been downloaded more than 40 million times.

IE9 is not just an update to IE8, but a complete rebuild of Microsoft’s popular but maligned browser. It boasts radical speed and graphics improvements, thanks to its increased adherence to web standards and use of hardware acceleration. On stage, Hachamovitch touted its advanced support for HTML5 and its UI improvements. Everything from the back button to the taskbar has been revamped.

Microsoft is also touting IE9′s security features. Hachamovitch outlined the company’s take on privacy earlier this year at CES. IE9 includes tracking protection (its implementation of the “Do Not Track” list) and stronger filters against malware.

The final version of Internet Explorer 9 will be available for download at midnight ET/9:00 PM PT at beautyoftheweb.com.

source mashable.com