Windows 10 Release Date and Minimum Hardware Requirements
Today in this topic we are going to discuss about Windows 10 release date, its minimum hardware requirements, possible editions and a few new features which are yet to be implemented in the OS. Recently at "Windows Hardware Engineering Community" (WinHEC) summit in Shenzhen, China, Microsoft provided some interesting information about Windows 10 which we are going to share in this topic:
- Windows 10 release date
- Windows 10 minimum hardware specifications
- Windows 10 possible editions or SKUs
- New Windows Hello feature
- Pirated Windows will also get free Windows 10 upgrade (kind of)
So without wasting time lets discuss in details:
Windows 10 Release Date
Microsoft has officially announced that Windows 10 will be released to public this summer. In other words, the final version of Windows 10 (which is called RTM i.e. Released To Manufacturing) will be available for purchase and download this summer.
That means we can expect Windows 10 final version general availability (GA) between July to September. The exact date of Windows 10 release is yet to be announced by Microsoft.
Also Windows 10 will be released in 190 countries and 111 languages.
We would like to remind you again that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users in the first year of launch. Check out following article for more information:
Windows 10 Will be a Free Upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 Users
Windows 10 Minimum Hardware Requirements
Microsoft also provided information about minimum hardware requirements for Windows 10 which are as following:
Windows 10 Minimum Hardware Requirements for Desktop PCs:
Firmware:
- UEFI 2.3.1
- Secure boot enabled (a switch to disable is optional)
Memory:
- 2GB for 64-bit
- 1GB for 32-bit
Storage:
- 16GB or more for 32-bit
- 20GB or more for 64-bit
Graphics:
- DirectX 9
For Tablets and Devices with detachable keyboards:
- Buttons required for Power, Volume Up/Down
- Buttons optional for Start, Rotation lock
Windows 10 Minimum Hardware Requirements for Mobiles:
Firmware:
- UEFI 2.3.1
- Secure boot enabled (a switch to disable is optional)
Memory:
- 512MB for 32-bit
Storage:
- 4GB or more of flash
- SD Card required for 4GB devices to support updates
Graphics:
- DirectX 9
Buttons:
- Required for Power, Volume Up/Down
- Required for Start, back, search for phones that use WVGA display
Basically if your system can run Windows 8/8.1, it'll be able to run Windows 10 as well.
Windows 10 Editions (SKU)
Microsoft has not announced any information about Windows 10 editions or SKUs but Microsoft used following terms a few times in the summit:
- Windows 10 for Consumer
- Windows 10 for Pro
So we guess that there might be 2 editions of Windows 10 available at release time: Windows 10 Consumer and Windows 10 Pro.
Apart from these editions, Windows 10 will also release for mobiles and Enterprises as always.
Also a specially designed version of Windows 10 will also be available for free for IoT (Internet of Things) devices such as ATMs, ultrasound machines, gateways, etc.
Windows Hello - Biometric Authentication Feature
Windows Hello is the name of a new biometric authentication feature which is yet to be implemented in Windows 10. It has been designed to improve security and provide more personal experience to the users.
With the help of Windows Hello feature, you'll be able to log into Windows by showing your face or touching your finger to Windows 10 devices. Of course, Windows Hello feature will require special hardware type which includes fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor and biometric sensors.
Pirated Windows will Get Free Windows 10 Upgrade
Microsoft has announced that users running pirated versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will also be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free but it'll not make their Windows genuine. The license state of their Windows will not change and their pirated Windows will remain pirated even after upgrading to Windows 10.
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Until Windows 10 final version is released, you can test Windows 10 by downloading and installing its free Technical Preview version using following links:
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