A couple of days ago we informed you that the period for downloading Windows 10 for free is nearing its end. Since July 29, 2015, Microsoft has been offering all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users the opportunity to upgrade their operating system to the latest version of Windows, version 10, completely free of charge during the first year after its release.
Each new Windows update has brought us new features and improvements in the performance and functionality of this new operating system, which is quickly gaining a significant market share . Currently, this version of Windows has a market share exceeding 10%, while its main competitor, Windows 7, has just fallen below 50%.
Yesterday, Microsoft officially announced the number of computers where Windows 10 is now installed: 300 million, 30 million more than a month ago, when Microsoft announced that the latest version of Windows was on 270 million computers. This past month, Windows 10's growth has been much lower than expected , as we also reported a few days ago—a slowdown that Microsoft didn't anticipate, especially considering that the date for its free download is approaching.
In the same announcement, the Redmond team also revealed the prices that users will have to pay to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 after July 29, the deadline for the free upgrade. The price has been set at $119 for the Home version.
Starting July 30th, all users will have to pay to upgrade, but they will also be able to enjoy, as expected, the first major update from Microsoft, currently called the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which, according to Redmond, will bring a large number of new features. Those users already using Windows 10 will not have to pay to receive any future updates.