Microsoft officially launches Windows 10 with free upgrades

Microsoft also launched a global retail campaign to help people upgrade to Windows 10. Devices running Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, or Windows 7 can upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge during its first year.

According to StatCounter, 67 per cent of personal computer and tablet users in Thailand are on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. The company did not disclose target numbers for Windows 10 users in Thailand.

In mid-August, a couple of multinationals will launch PCs pre-loaded with Windows 10 to the Thai market, said Ekaraj Panjavinin, consumer channel group director for Microsoft (Thailand). Microsoft is partnering with five Thai retailers – IT City, Banana IT, JIB, Power Buy and CSC – to introduce programmes and provide upgrade support |in a total of 75 retail outlets nationwide. 

“Our goal is to train more than 1,500 support staff from 600 retail partners by year-end,” Ekaraj said.

Windows 10 comes to the market in three modes: pre-loaded in the device, commercial OEM (original equipment manufacturer) licence for newly purchase devices, and full package product priced |at US$119 (Bt4,100) for Home Edition and $199 for Pro Edition. 

“The commercial OEM licence is fixed for one device, while the full package product is not fixed, users can use their existing licence on their new device,” Ekaraj said. 

For business customers, Windows 10 is available for deployment within their work environments, and starting this Saturday, organisations that have volume licensing can upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education.

“We have trained more than 500 staff of our partners and other 600 distributor boost camp to approach the comical market to migrate to Windows 10,” said Rachod Isarankura Na Ayuthaya, Windows and Surface Client Business Group Lead, Microsoft (Thailand).

This is the first time that people can make a one-time purchase of a Microsoft operating system that can be updated throughout their device’s lifetime. 

Rachod Isarankura Na Ayuthaya, Windows client business group lead, Microsoft (Thailand), said Windows 10 comes with Window Store and a Windows Software Development Kit, for which software developers created apps that run across a wide range of devices, including PCs, tablets, phones, and the Internet of Things. Currently, more than 2,000 devices or configurations are already in testing. 

Microsoft also provides convertible software tools to help developers bridge their existing apps on iOS and Android to Windows 10 easily. 

“Windows 10 is more personal and productive, with voice, pen and gesture inputs for natural interaction with the PC. And users can easily switch the user interface mode between desktop PC and tablet,” Rachod said.