Microsoft confirms release date for Windows 10

New operating system to be available as free upgrade on 29 July

Microsoft has today confirmed that Windows 10 is set for release on 29 July as a free upgrade worldwide.

In April, Lisa Su, chief executive of AMD, appeared to inadvertently reveal the release date of the new operating system would be the end of July, and Microsoft has now confirmed that the upgrade will indeed be available then.

In a blog post today, Microsoft said: "We designed Windows 10 to create a new generation of Windows for the 1.5 billion people using Windows today in 190 countries around the world.

"With Windows 10, we start delivering on our vision of more personal computing, defined by trust in how we protect and respect your personal information, mobility of the experience across your devices, and natural interactions with your Windows devices, including speech, touch, ink, and holograms."

Many of the new features of the OS were talked up in the blog, including increased security with Windows Defender for free anti-malware protection and a return of the Start menu.

News of the release date comes after IDC last week said the OS will provide a "significant contribution" to the slowing PC market. The analyst also said it expects the PC market to stabilise in 2016, and then enjoy limited growth over the next few years.

Fears have previously been raised that the new free OS will leave the channel out of deals, but Microsoft's UK partner director Linda Rendleman earlier this year said the as-a-service model presents a good opportunity for the channel to build services around Windows 10.