Will Microsoft Meet Windows 10 Release Date?

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It looks as though Microsoft has a lot of work to do if it is to launch the consumer version of Windows 10 before fall arrives.

The company has promised that Windows 10 will be available sometime during the summer, although no specific date has been mentioned. However, AMD CEO Lisa Su accidentally told the world that the new version of the operating system would be available from late July, writes Lance Whitney for CNET.

Renowned source of leaks predicts late-July Windows 10 RTM release

Wzor, a well-known source of leaks from Russia, claimed in a tweet in Wednesday that Windows 10 RTM release has been confirmed for July 2015. RTM stands for “release to manufacturing,” or the version sent to PC makers before the full release, and the consumer release does not usually happen for months afterwards.

If Wzor is correct, and he has a good records, Microsoft will find itself with little time between Windows 10 RTM and the consumer version. A quick look at past timelines reveals that Windows 8 RTM arrived in August 2012, with the final version released in October. Windows 7 RTM was released in July 2009, and the consumer version came in October.

This time around Microsoft could find itself with just a few weeks between Windows 10 RTM and the release of the final version, assuming it sticks to its word. Windows 8 led to widespread criticism of Microsoft from PC users, and the company has a lot of work to do to regain their trust. One way of doing so was to ask people to test the Windows 10 Technical Preview, and taking on board their feedback for the final version.

Development on a tight schedule

Now it appears that Microsoft could end up rushing Windows 10 in order to meet a self-imposed deadline. Although the Technical Preview was released last September, and new builds have been released at least once a month since then, there remains work to be done until Windows 10 is a polished final product.

One of the latest builds, numbered 10122, revealed a sleek interface, enhanced Start menu/screen and an updated version of the new Microsoft Edge browser. However certain features are not working as planned, and the OS as a whole feels slightly rough. Another version, numbered 10125, leaked on the Web earlier this week.

In order to allow itself more time to polish Windows 10, commentators are wondering why Microsoft doesn’t simply wait until October to release the final version. One good reason is to get users away from Windows 8 in a timely manner. Another is the idea that Windows 10 will unify users of desktop and mobile devices, and as such needs to be refined.

Vital release for future of Microsoft

The head of the Windows Insider program, Gabe Aul, said that “internal rings” of testers are currently working with a newer build, numbered 10130, showing that development is ongoing and seems to be moving fast. An insider photo shows that almost 1,500 devices are currently testing the latest build at Microsoft.

At this point Microsoft appears confident that Windows 10 will be finished in time for a summer release. It must be hoped that this confidence is not misplaced, because the company can ill afford another misjudged operating system after the debacle that was Windows 8.

Microsoft has given itself a lot to do in order to ensure a smooth release of Windows 10, which marks an important departure in terms of strategy. The stakes are high and the company cannot afford to make a mistake.

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