Just hours after the launch date for Windows 10 was supposedly ‘leaked’, Microsoft has gone and confirmed that Windows 10 will be available globally on July 29.

Users of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 will all be able to download the new OS on that date for free, for a period of one year. The software will also be available to buy in shops in a traditional disc format, and will come pre-installed in most new PCs from that date onwards.

Microsoft has big ambitions for Windows 10, which will run on every kind of device – not just PCs but also phones, tablets, netbooks and even the X-Box One console for years to come. We say “years to come” because Windows 10 will be, according to Microsoft, the last version of Windows ever launched. After this, instead of shipping new versions every couple of years, Microsoft plans to roll out regular updates to all users, evolving its operating system over time, similar to what Apple does with iOS and what Google does with Android.

In a blog post announcing the news, Microsoft’s Terry Myerson says “through the feedback and testing of over four million Windows Insiders, we’ve made great progress on Windows 10 and we’re nearly ready to deliver this free upgrade to all of our Windows customers”.

As noted before on SiliconANGLE, Windows 10 will come with a swathe of new features aimed at pleasing consumers and business users alike. More importantly, Microsoft is hoping the new features will help win over the numerous critics of Windows 8, which was despised by many for its “Metro-style” interface and the exclusion of the Start button.

One of the most exciting new features will be integrated Cortana Voice Search, what Microsoft bills as the “world’s first truly personal digital assistant”. Cortana will be present on all Windows machines, assisting users with everything from search to emails. Also new is Microsoft’s Edge browser, which is far superior to Internet Explorer according to my colleague James Farrell, who notes its faster than IE, more reliable, comes with extensions, capable of learning your interests, and also better on your machine’s battery life than Google Chrome.

There’s also Xbox Live and the integrated Xbox app that allows gamers to capture and edit footage and play Xbox One games on their PC, streaming over WiFi. Finally, lets not forget Windows Continuum, which combines the best of the old ‘Metro’ style tablet interface with classic Windows, and lets users choose between them depending on which device they’re using.

Microsoft says the July 29 release date is for PCs and tablets, with Windows Phone and Xbox updates coming “later”.

“On July 29, you can get Windows 10 for PCs and tablets by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer, or on a new Windows 10 PC from your favorite retailer. If you purchase a new Windows 8.1 device between now and then, the Windows 10 upgrade will be available to you and many retail stores will upgrade your new device for you,” Myerson wrote.

It’s possible to “reserve” your free Windows 10 upgrade today by clicking on an icon that Microsoft says will pop up in your system tray later today – assuming your current Windows version is licensed, of course.

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