Microsoft has recently announced the vast success of its latest operating system – the touch-focussed Windows 10 – aligning with the upcoming end of its ‘Free Upgrade Offer’ period.

Windows 10, released to consumers on July 29^th, 2015 is now ‘running on 300 million active devices around the world ’, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group, Yusuf Mehdi stated in a blog post yesterday (05/05/16). The operating system is reaching its one year anniversary, and with that comes the last few months of the free upgrade, available to all applicable and compatible Windows devices running on the latest OS: Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 Update. Click here to view Windows 10 Specifications.

As one of the largest online services to date, Windows 10 has been adopted by individual home users, schools, businesses both small and large, and wider organisations, all benefiting in some way from the safe and secure experience, the enhanced touch features and the sleek, user-friendly design. Some of the latest facts and figures of Windows 10, stated by Medhi, include;

• Over 63 billion minutes were spent on Microsoft Edge in March alone, with 50% growth in minutes since the last quarter. Exclusively available on Windows 10, Microsoft Edge is the modern browser for helping you get things done.
• Cortana, the personal digital assistant in Windows 10, has helped answer over 6 billion questions since launch.
• People are playing games on Windows 10 more than ever before, with over 9 billion hours of gameplay on Windows 10 since launch.
• Apps that come with Windows 10, including Photos, Groove Music, and Movies & TV are seeing millions of active users each month, including more than 144 million people using Photos.
• And, the Windows Store continues to grow daily with new Universal Windows Platform apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger; updated UWP apps from Vine, Hulu, Netflix and Twitter; and popular PC games including Rise of the Tomb Raider and Quantum Break.(https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/05/05/windows-10-now-on-300-million-active-devices-free-upgrade-offer-to-end-soon/)

  

Once the free upgrade period has ended on July 29^th 2016, you will still be able to get Windows 10 included on new devices, or alternatively purchase the full version of Windows 10 Home for $119 (approximately £99). This price will no doubt be subject to offers, and will be higher for advanced versions such as Windows 10 Pro.

Windows 10 is continually being tested and improved, for instance with the November 2015 update which included performance enhancements, bug fixes and improvements to Cortana and Microsoft Edge, as well as the upcoming summer 2016 Windows 10 Anniversary update. All Windows 10 update services are free.

So as the one year anniversary nears, don’t forget to take up the free upgrade offer from Microsoft for Windows 10 (if you have a compatible/applicable device), by the 29^th July 2016. Many have downloaded and enjoyed the new features, so why not try it out. Our In Easy Steps series of Windows 10 titles covers all users from the beginner to the advanced, from handy pocket-sized guides to books designed specially for the older user.

You can always revert back to your previous system via the settings options in Windows 10, for up to one month after the new system upgrade. Always be sure to have securely backed up your files beforehand, in a safe and remote location.