Windows 10: Australian students pass their verdict

Australians became the first to use a completed version of Windows 10 before it is rolled out in 190 countries.

Students try out Windows 10 at Sydney's Mitchell High School at Blacktown

Australians became among the first globally to use a completed version of Windows 10 which is now rolling out around the world.

And students in western Sydney were among the first on the planet to use it before it is made available in 190 countries.

Last night Microsoft Australia managing director Pip Marlow welcomed supporters of the new operating system at a “fan event” held beside Sydney Harbour.

There wasn’t anything really new to say about Windows 10 as early versions of the OS had been publicly available to try since October last year. More than 4 million users globally joined the Microsoft Insider program to do just that before launch.

Yesterday Microsoft, in partnership with The Smith Family, celebrated a day of code at Mitchell High School at Blacktown where some 24 students got the opportunity to code using Windows 10.

“For us, we really want these kids to realise that coding can supercharge their career, no matter what they want to do,” said Jaron Cohen, Windows Commercial Marketing, Microsoft Australia.

“These are amongst the first students in the world to get coding on Windows 10, so they already have a head start in learning fundamental skills on the latest technology that will be used in their future workplace.”

Microsoft celebrated Windows 10 in Australia at an event held beside Sydney Harbour.

Microsoft is sending the Windows 10 update over the Internet initially to people who had been testing trial versions of Windows 10 as part of the Insider program and those running regular Windows 7 and 8.1 systems.

Over the past few days users have received invitations to upgrade to Windows 10 following a regular system update. Users also can reserve a copy at http://www.microsoft.com/EN-AU/windows

One Twitter user today was hopeful that Windows 10 would magically roll out to them overnight. “Going to leave this ThinkPad on all night in the hopes I wake up and find the Microsoft fairy has delivered Windows 10,” the person said.

Microsoft has revealed the upgrade path for free copies of Windows 10. Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium users get Windows 10 Home while Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate users receive Windows 10 Pro.

Windows 8.1 users get Windows 10 Home while Windows 8.1 Pro and 8.1 Pro Students receive Windows 10 Pro. Windows Enterprise and RT users are excluded from the upgrades. One of the benefits of the new OS is that it will work on older PCs.

It’s early days so we’re yet to hear of major upgrade hitches. But there is concern about Microsoft’s new update policy which means consumers will no longer choose which updates to install. They receive them all.

That has led to an issue already where some gamers have complained that new Windows display drivers had overwritten tailored Nvidia ones, in some cases leading to computer crashes.

Microsoft in a statement today said more than 2000 devices and configurations were undergoing testing with Windows 10.

Microsoft Australia managing director Pip Marlow addresses invited Windows users and the media at a celebration event held under a marquee beside Sydney Harbour.

The firm is now holding events around the world to celebrate the arrival of the new operating system. It included last night’s event in Sydney.

Fan celebrations will take place in 13 countries and via a yearlong Microsoft initiative.

“A new era of Windows starts today. From the beginning, Windows 10 has been unique, built with feedback from over 5 million fans, delivered as a service and offered as a free upgrade,” said Terry Myerson, executive vice president, Windows and Devices Group, at Microsoft.

“Along with our partners, we’re excited to deliver the best Windows ever, which will empower people and organisations around the world to do great things.”

Microsoft has launched a companion app which let iPhones, Android or Windows phones work seamlessly with Windows 10 devices.

It said it was opening a new Windows Store which would accept new apps for the new OS.

Consumers are the first cab off the rank for Windows 10. The new OS will be available to business customers from Saturday for deploying within work environments.

And from Saturday, organisations that have volume licensing can upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education.

Devices running Windows 10 will be available in some retail stores from today.

In Australia, Microsoft said it would partner with 10 Australian non-profit organisations and would offer a $500,000 cash investment in support of their missions and to promote awareness of their causes.

In addition to the 3 days volunteer leave that Microsoft Australia employees had each year, Microsoft said it was giving employees worldwide an extra day off to volunteer in their community within the next year.