Windows 10 Hit RTM this Week, So Here Are the Latest Windows 10 News
Windows 10 did not RTM last week, but it did this week. Midweek, Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 Build 10240 to Windows Insiders; this is the RTM (Release to Manufacturing) build of the Windows 10 operating system.
So now that you know that Windows 10 reached the RTM phase in its development process, let’s move on to the latest Windows 10 news, just like I did last week.
Why is Windows 10 free?
Microsoft is offering Windows 10 for free – but only in the first year after the operating system’s release and only to customers who have a qualifying Windows edition. Still, it’s pretty amazing that Microsoft is giving Windows 10 away for free.
Why is Microsoft doing that? Why is it giving Windows 10 for free? Because…Windows Phone.
In an interview with ZDNEt’s Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that “the free upgrade for Windows 10 is meant to improve our phone position.”
Pre-order Windows 10 USBs on Amazon
Retail media for Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro is available for pre-order. That’s Windows 10 USB Flash drives, not DVDs.
A Windows 10 Home USB Flash drive will set you back $120 while a Windows 10 Pro USB Flash drive will set you back $200.
Spartan-looking packaging
The image below presents the Spartan-looking packaging for Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro.
Mandatory updates for Windows 10 Home confirmed
It has been confirmed that Windows 10 Home users won’t be able to opt out of installing updates. Updates will be installed automatically on Windows 10 Home and you won’t be able to disable them or choose when to download/install them.
Windows 8.1 has four Windows Update options to offer:
Windows 10 Home has two Windows Update options to offer:
The EULA for Windows 10 Home says the following (the important bit is in bold):
“The software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you. You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates. By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.”
Office Mobile apps for Windows 10 hit GA
The universal Office Mobile apps are out of preview; they’ve just hit General Availability (GA). Here are the download links.
Please note that to enjoy full functionality on PCs and larger tablets, these apps require an Office 365 subscription. If you have a device with a screen size of 10.1-inches or smaller, you can use the Office Mobile apps for free and enjoy full functionality. If you have a device with a 10.2-inch screen or bigger, you will need an Office 365 subscription.
The ultra-thin, lightweight, and compact Universal Foldable Keyboard
Microsoft recently released an ultra-thin, lightweight and compact keyboard – the Universal Foldable Keyboard, which is designed for the iPad, iPhone, Android and Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. There’s a button in the upper right hand corner that lets you switch between supported operating systems.
Pricing for the Universal Foldable Keyboard starts at $99.95. It is available for purchase from the Microsoft Store and from various other retailers.
Click here to learn more about Microsoft’s Universal Foldable Keyboard.
So now that you know that Windows 10 reached the RTM phase in its development process, let’s move on to the latest Windows 10 news, just like I did last week.
Why is Windows 10 free?
Microsoft is offering Windows 10 for free – but only in the first year after the operating system’s release and only to customers who have a qualifying Windows edition. Still, it’s pretty amazing that Microsoft is giving Windows 10 away for free.
Why is Microsoft doing that? Why is it giving Windows 10 for free? Because…Windows Phone.
In an interview with ZDNEt’s Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that “the free upgrade for Windows 10 is meant to improve our phone position.”
Pre-order Windows 10 USBs on Amazon
Retail media for Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro is available for pre-order. That’s Windows 10 USB Flash drives, not DVDs.
A Windows 10 Home USB Flash drive will set you back $120 while a Windows 10 Pro USB Flash drive will set you back $200.
Spartan-looking packaging
The image below presents the Spartan-looking packaging for Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro.
Mandatory updates for Windows 10 Home confirmed
It has been confirmed that Windows 10 Home users won’t be able to opt out of installing updates. Updates will be installed automatically on Windows 10 Home and you won’t be able to disable them or choose when to download/install them.
Windows 8.1 has four Windows Update options to offer:
- Download and install updates automatically.
- Download updates automatically but choose when to install them.
- Check for updates but choose when to download and install them.
- Never check for, download, or install updates.
Windows 10 Home has two Windows Update options to offer:
- Check, download, install, and reboot automatically.
- Check, download, install automatically and then choose to reboot.
The EULA for Windows 10 Home says the following (the important bit is in bold):
“The software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you. You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates. By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.”
Office Mobile apps for Windows 10 hit GA
The universal Office Mobile apps are out of preview; they’ve just hit General Availability (GA). Here are the download links.
- Get Word Mobile for Windows 10 here.
- Get Excel Mobile for Windows 10 here.
- Get PowerPoint Mobile for Windows 10 here.
Please note that to enjoy full functionality on PCs and larger tablets, these apps require an Office 365 subscription. If you have a device with a screen size of 10.1-inches or smaller, you can use the Office Mobile apps for free and enjoy full functionality. If you have a device with a 10.2-inch screen or bigger, you will need an Office 365 subscription.
The ultra-thin, lightweight, and compact Universal Foldable Keyboard
Microsoft recently released an ultra-thin, lightweight and compact keyboard – the Universal Foldable Keyboard, which is designed for the iPad, iPhone, Android and Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. There’s a button in the upper right hand corner that lets you switch between supported operating systems.
Pricing for the Universal Foldable Keyboard starts at $99.95. It is available for purchase from the Microsoft Store and from various other retailers.
Click here to learn more about Microsoft’s Universal Foldable Keyboard.
