Windows 10 will start to make its way to consumers near the end of this month, and businesses will be able to get their hands on Microsoft’s upcoming operating system a few days later.
Terry Myerson, the executive leading the development of Windows (along with all of Microsoft’s hardware after last month’s reorganization), in a blog post Thursday revealed a few more details on the timeline of the latest Windows release.
Windows insiders, the flock of about 5 million people who have downloaded early testing versions of the software, will start receiving the final product on July 29. Other individual PC users who have signed up to receive the software using Microsoft’s reservation tool are next in line.
Business and educational users, who, unlike the vast majority of current users of home versions of Windows are ineligible for the yearlong free upgrade offer, can start downloading Windows on Aug. 1.
Analysts say few businesses are likely to take Microsoft up on that offer right away. Part of the reason is information technology departments tend to update their software based on their own calendar, rather than Microsoft’s. And even early adopters like to see how a new operating system works among consumers before committing to an expensive upgrade process.
Microsoft has also said some business-tailored features won’t be ready on Day One, which Myerson confirmed Thursday in saying that a business-focused data security tool will be released “later this year.”
Windows executive Joe Belfiore in April said the launch of Windows 10 would be staggered.
The prior big update to the operating system, Windows 8.1, was released for the PC nine months before the smartphone edition, giving PC development a head start. Phone operating systems also need to pass rigorous certification with wireless carriers.
Myerson didn’t indicate a release date for the smartphone edition.
