Finally: We know the exact date of availability for Microsoft's upcoming operating system, Windows 10.
The new OS will become available on July 29, Microsoft's Executive Vice President of Operating Systems Terry Myerson wrote in a blog post Monday.
On that date, buyers in 190 markets will be able to get Windows 10 with a new PC, or upgrade from an old version for free. Those who purchase a device with the current version, Windows 8.1, will also be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free at launch.
Existing Windows users can reserve their free Windows 10 upgrade right now, by clicking the Windows icon found at the right end of the Windows taskbar. The registration process is explained here. If you don't see the icon yet, don't worry -- Microsoft is gradually rolling it out to users and it should become available soon.
Announced in September 2014, Windows 10 is perhaps Microsoft's most important software release in decades. After a lukewarm reception of Windows 8, Microsoft has a long list of things to fix in Windows 10, including the return of the Start Menu, but most of all making the OS truly platform-independent and touchscreen-friendly without alienating desktop users.
Furthermore, Windows 10 marks a big change in Microsoft's OS strategy. Jerry Nixon, one of Microsoft's developer evangelists, even went so far to call it the "last version of Windows." Microsoft will offer incremental and perpetual upgrades to the new OS, switching to a Windows-as-a-service model instead of dividing the OS into monumental, major releases which happen once or twice in ten years.
On Monday, Microsoft also posted a video highlighting some of the new features in Windows 10, including a new web browser called Microsoft Edge, voice assistant Cortana and a one-stop Windows Store. Check it out below.