So, the very first point, release date: July 29, Windows 10 will be available for purchase and updates in 190 countries, for computers and tablets. Update for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users will be free. With information on the topic to reserve Windows 10, I think everyone has already managed to familiarize yourself.
Minimum equipment requirements
For desktop computers, minimum system requirements look like this - motherboard with UEFI 2.3.1 and the default Secure Boot as the first criterion.The requirements are indicated above are advanced to suppliers of new computers with Windows 10, and the decision to provide the user to the user to disable Secure Boot in UEFI also accepts the manufacturer (may prohibit the headache for those who decide to establish another system ). For old computers with a regular BIOS, I think some restrictions on installing Windows 10 will not (but not pass).
The remaining system requirements have not undergone special changes compared to previous versions:
- 2 GB RAM for a 64-bit system and 1 GB of RAM for 32-bit.
- 16 GB of free space for a 32-bit system and 20 GB for 64-bit.
- Graphic adapter (video card) with DirectX support
- Screen resolution 1024 × 600
- A clock frequency processor from 1 GHz.
Thus, almost any system on which Windows 8.1 works is suitable for and to install Windows 10. From its own experience I can say that the preliminary versions work relatively well in the virtual machine with 2 GB of RAM (in any case, faster than 7-ka ).
Note: For additional Windows 10 features there are additional requirements - a speech recognition microphone, an infrared illumination camera or fingerprint scanner for Windows Hello, Microsoft account for a number of features, etc.
System version, update matrix
Windows 10 for computers will be released in two main versions - Home or Consumer (home) and Pro (professional). At the same time, the update for licensed Windows 7 and 8.1 will be made according to the following scheme:
- Windows 7 Initial, home basic, home extended - update to Windows 10 Home.
- Windows 7 Professional and Maximum - to Windows 10 Pro.
- Windows 8.1 Core and Single Language (for one language) - before Windows 10 Home.
- Windows 8.1 Pro - to Windows 10 Pro.
Additionally, the corporate version of the new system will be released, as well as a special free version of Windows 10 for devices such as ATMs, medical devices, etc.
Also, as previously reported, users of pirated versions of Windows will also be able to get a free update to Windows 10, however, at the same time will not receive a license.
Further official information about upgrading to Windows 10
With regard to compatibility with drivers and programs when updating, Microsoft reports the following:
- During updating to Windows 10, the anti-virus program will be deleted with the settings, and upon completion of the update, the last version is installed again. In case the license for the antivirus has expired, the Windows Defender will be activated.
- Some of the computer manufacturer programs can be deleted before upgrading.
- For individual programs, the "Get Windows 10" will report on compatibility issues and offer to delete them from the computer.
Summing up, nothing particularly new in the system requirements of the new OS. And with compatibility problems and not only it will be possible to get acquainted very soon, it remains less than two months.