Microsoft Bringing Windows 10 To 190 Countries This Summer

Microsoft has given a timeline for the launch of Windows 10, announcing its availability in 190 countries sometime in the summer. Again, Redmond is not giving us a firm date, but it is a lot better than the “later this year” date we got in January.

The 190 countries is a big one, especially since Windows 10 will be available in 111 languages. Microsoft did not detail how many of those languages support Cortana, the virtual assistant built into Windows 10.

Windows 10 is a massive upgrade to the system and is a comprehensive refocus, taking a large amount of the complaints from Windows 8 and the best features from Windows 7, and merging them into a complete system.

It will also be the launch of universal apps, capable of running on phone, tablet and PC. Microsoft wants to make one app work on all sized displays, an issue that neither Apple or Google is willing to tackle.

Microsoft is paying specific attention to China for the Windows 10 launch. Tencent will pre-load QQ applications through an upgrade pack and promote Windows 10 on its various social platforms.

Lenovo will open up 2,500 upgrade centers in China for customers wanting to move to the new operating system. In China, even customers that have illegal versions of Windows XP, 7 or 8 will be allowed to upgrade to Windows 10.

The first year of Windows 10 is free for Windows 7 and 8 customers. Microsoft has still not given a price for Windows 10 after the free option is dropped in 2016.