Closing One Door, And Opening A 'New Window'

Tech-giant Microsoft is planning to take a different route when it comes to launching an upgrade on their computer-omnipresent Windows operating software--- and Windows 10 will likely be the last of its kind.

"Right now we're releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we're all still working on Windows 10," Microsoft's Jerry Nixon revealed during the 2015 Ignite Tech Conference held in Chicago, the BBC reports.

Windows As A Service

Tom Warren of The Verge reached out to Microsoft for some comments regarding Nixon's remark at the conference. And, they all but affirm their employee's revelation regarding the major shift that they are about to undertake.

"Recent comments at Ignite about Windows 10 are reflective of the way Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner, with continuous value for our consumer and business customers," a spokesperson for Microsoft told The Verge in a statement."

Microsoft, in what could be deemed as taking a page from their rival's playbook, will use a new approach much like what Apple has done with their very own OS X, says TechRadar. The company is veering away from doing the usual major upgrade on their O.S. versions, which has been distinctly referred to by the use of cardinal numbers (Windows 7, Windows 8), and will simply provide regular updates and other innovations to Windows via software changes.

Upgrade Info: Release Date and Price

Unlike the previous method where users have to buy a copy from a brick-and-mortar store, and go through the process of installing the Windows to their computer afterwards, users can now download the Windows and its updates via the web.

And, here's the good news. Windows 10 will be made available to all Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 users as a free upgrade, TechRadar also wrote. Windows users of previous versions may start upgrading for Windows 10 without having to incur any charge this coming July (reportedly, no exact date yet), and they can do so within a period of one year.

They can access the upgrade via multiple sources, and the ensuing updates through "Microsoft's servers and from local and internet-connected PCs that have already obtained the updates."

As to the actual price for the succeeding updates after the one-year "window time," users have to wait for further pricing information.

Windows 10 Features

According to PCPro, Windows 10 will feature the better version of Microsoft's virtual personal assistant, Cortana, as compared to her Windows-phone self; the new internet browser nicknamed Edge, which is touted to have less clutter, but with more tricks up its sleeves; a Universal App Platform so that there will be no need to download different app versions for different devices; gaming features such as Xbox app, Steam support, and DirectX 12 to the delight of videogame junkies; Continuum, which will provide a familiar user interface for users that were so used to Windows 7, even with the presence of Windows 8 features; and Microsoft Holographic, HoloLens, and HoloStudio for that 3D user experience.

It's also all about efficiency in Windows 10. It will include a system recovery which is disk space-friendly, Snap Assist which enables users to snap together up to four apps in one window, and a new Task View button will "make it easier to switch between open files and desktops,"

Other features of Windows 7 that were removed from Windows 8, such as the Start menu, Aero transparency effects and Jump Lists, will find its way again to Windows 10. Newly-improved Lock Screen will also be retained, says ExpertReviews .