Windows 10 for desktops, notebooks, and Intel-based tablets was released on July 29, 2015. This latest version of Windows includes desktop-centric features such as the much-requested return of the Start button, which now has Windows 8’s live tiles embedded. For at least the first year of its release, Windows 10 is a no-cost upgrade for individual users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.x — this no-cost upgrade is not available to many institutional users. The new operating system also ships with two Microsoft web browsers: Internet Explorer 11 and a new browser named Edge, which is set as the default.
Information Systems & Computing (ISC) supports Windows 10 on systems that ship with it pre-installed. Due to the likelihood of significant bugs in the initial release of Windows 10, ISC strongly recommends that all other University users considering an upgrade to Windows 10 adopt a "wait and see" approach, continuing to use earlier supported versions of Windows (i.e., Windows 8.1 Update and Windows 7 SP1) for at least on week, and perhaps longer, until the initial bugs and compatibility issues in Windows 10 are identified and fixed. ISC will send an update on Windows 10’s status at the University on August 5, 2015.
To prevent a system from being upgraded to Windows 10 via Windows Update, remove update 3035583 (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583) if it has already been installed. To avoid being re-prompted to install the update, go to Windows Update, right-click on the KB3035583 listing, and select Hide this update.
Windows 10 will be rolled out using a phased approach. It is available first to members of the Windows Insider Program, beginning today. Hardware vendors such as Dell, Lenovo, and Microsoft themselves will also have some product lines with Windows 10 pre-installed available in stores and online, though other product lines won't be available for a few months. Next to receive the upgrade will be users of Windows 7 SP1 and 8.1 Update who have “reserved" the product. Windows 10 Enterprise will be available to organizations with Software Assurance on August 1st. As of late July, there is no announced release date for Windows 10 Mobile, which is for smartphones, and, likely, consumer tablets; most industry observers expect Windows 10 Mobile to be released some time in Fall 2015.
Windows 10 works as expected with many Penn applications and services, including AirPennNet, Penn+Box, ISC Exchange, ISC Zimbra, and Symantec Endpoint Protection. The University’s supported products page provides substantially more detail in this area.