Windows 10 Release Date 2015: Free Download for Windows 7, 8.1 and 8.1 Phone Users

By Richard Waelty
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Windows 10 release date may be coming this July, according to the latest reveal by AMD - a longtime partner with Microsoft. On Thursday, April 16, AMD's CEO Lisa Su mentioned the Windows 10 launch schedule during the company's quarterly earning call.

"With the Windows 10 launch at the end of July, we're watching, sort of the impact of that on the back-to-school season, and expect that it might have a bit of a delay to the normal back-to-school season inventory build-up," Su said while responding to a question asked by an industry analyst.

This alleged Windows 10 release date follows roughly the same launch cycle of previous Windows operating systems. Windows 8 was unveiled in mid-July 2012, while Windows 7 debuted in June 2009. Both systems were released to the general public in the month of October, at around the time when school summer holidays end in the United States.

It is not clear whether Su got permission from Microsoft prior to revealing this information. Microsoft had earlier announced plans to push Windows 10 out by summer 2015. However, the company did not offer a specific launch schedule.

Notably, Windows 10 will reintroduce the Start Menu, which was replaced by a Start Screen in Windows 8.1. Previously, the loss of the Start Menu resulted in an uproar amongst longtime Windows users - many of whom turned to third-party apps that partially restored the abandoned feature. Even so, Windows 10's start menu has been redesigned from the original.

The Seattle-based tech giant also plans to integrate Windows 10 with Cortana, its proprietary intelligent personal assistant software that assists users with personal tasks. Cortana is named for the artificial intelligence character from Microsoft's popular Halo gaming franchise. Jen Taylor provided the voice for both the software and videogame incarnation of the iconic character.

Meanwhile, Microsoft allowed a number of Lumia wireless device owners to try out the Windows 10 Technical Preview. Interested parties will need to sign up for the Windows Insider Program, and be aware of system requirements. Those brave enough to try out the technical preview can follow the download and install instructions on the official Microsoft site.

According to the Verge, the most recent Windows 10 technical preview features new Outlook Mail and Calendar apps. Microsoft is apparently commandeering the same swipe actions from its Outlook app for iOS and Android. The new OS will be sold in 111 languages in 190 nations. In the first year after its release, Windows 10 will be available for free download to Windows 7, Window 8.1, and Windows 8.1 Phone owners.

Piracy is also one issue Microsoft plans to address with Windows 10. Last month, Reuters reported that Microsoft is allowing free Windows 10 upgrade for owners of pirated Windows software. Microsoft spokesman Terry Myerson told Reuters that the plan was to "re-engage" the piracy-rampant Chinese market. It remains uncertain whether this scheme will pan out.

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