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Windows 10 pre-orders open, operating system will arrive on USB drives at the end of August

Early Amazon post seems to confirm price and delivery method

Andrew Griffin
Friday 17 July 2015 14:54 BST
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Alex Kipman, who led the invention of Microsoft's hologram headset, at the Windows 10 launch
Alex Kipman, who led the invention of Microsoft's hologram headset, at the Windows 10 launch

Windows 10 can be pre-ordered now — and it will come on a USB drive for the first time.

Windows 10 Home will cost $119.99 and Windows 10 Pro will cost $199.99, according to a listing on Amazon. And they will be sent to users on USB drives, rather than the traditional DVD.

“Windows 10 will be available on USB drives for purchase in retail channels shortly after launch,” a Microsoft spokesperson told VentureBeat. “The suggested retail prices for Windows 10 in the U.S. are the same as Windows 8.1.”

The new version of Windows was initially advertised as being free. But after some confusion, Microsoft confirmed that it is only free for those already on certain operating systems, meaning that those on older software or building new computers will have to buy a new version of the operating system.

As well as being faster and easier than disc drives, giving people the software on USB drives means that people with computers that don’t have DVD or CD drives will be able to install it.

People with Windows 7 and 8.1 can click on the little Windows icon that has appeared at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Opening that lets people register to receive the update.

Windows 10’s official release date is July 29. But the company has already said that date is only the beginning of the release, which will happen in waves, and it isn’t yet clear how long that process is to take.

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