July 29 is approaching fast and Microsoft is putting the final touches on its Windows 10 launch plans. Today Microsoft revealed plans to go big for the Windows 10 launch, including an effort to help people achieve more through technology by working closely with non-profit organizations around the world.
To celebrate the contributions of the 5 million-plus participants of the Windows Insiders program Microsoft plans to host special events in 13 cities around the world: Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, New Delhi, Dubai, Nairobi, Berlin, Johannesburg, Madrid, London, Sao Paolo, and New York City. Windows Insiders will have an opportunity for hands-on experience with Windows 10, demonstrations, entertainment, and a chance to meet the Windows team.
Microsoft also plans to conduct launch-day events at 110 stores across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. There will be demonstrations, prizes and giveaways as well as free in-store workshops to teach people how to get the most out of Windows 10. The company is also working with Best Buy, Staples, Walmart and other retailers to help simplify the upgrade process and provide support for customers upgrading to Windows 10.
Suffice it to say that Windows 10 is a bigger deal than most previous launches of Windows operating system, and Microsoft is investing heavily to promote the launch as much as possible.
One initiative that stands out, though, is the Upgrade Your World program. In honor of the Windows 10 launch Microsoft is also beginning a year-long program to work with non-profit groups around the world. Microsoft will partner with 10 global and 100 local non-profit organizations and invest a total of $10 million in promote and support their causes.
Microsoft is kicking off the Upgrade Your World program with nine hand-picked organizations: CARE, Code.org, Keep a Child Alive, Malala Fund, Pencils of Promise, Save the Children, Special Olympics, The Global Poverty Project, and The Nature Conservancy. The 10th global non-profit organization and the 100 local charities—10 each in Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States—will be chosen through crowdsourced nominations.
According to a Microsoft blog post Microsoft plans to contribute action as well as cash. “Around the world, tens of thousands of Microsoft employees will participate in the Upgrade Your World initiative by taking a day off to volunteer to upgrade their community, many of them on July 29, in celebration of the Windows 10 launch.”
Beginning July 29 you will be able to nominate an organization for the 10th global non-profit slot. The organization with the most votes will receive a cash grant of $500,000 as well as Microsoft technology and services to help facilitate its mission. Then, starting on September 1 Microsoft will accept nominations for 100 local non-profit organizations, which will each receive a $50,000 cash award plus technology from Microsoft.
The Microsoft blog post sums up with, “We can’t wait to celebrate the Windows 10 launch with people around the world—whether at a fan celebration event, at a retail store, or through sharing stories online. Don’t forget to reserve your free upgrade today at Windows.com!”
I’ve been using the Windows 10 preview builds for some time now. I actually liked Windows 8.1, so I wasn’t all that impressed with the first few builds. Now that it’s grown on me and I’ve become accustomed to it Windows 8.1 seems foreign. There have been some bugs along the way, but those are to be expected when working with a beta version of an operating system. As we approach July 29 and Microsoft polishes the final version for release, Windows 10 has evolved into a solid operating system with a very good overall user experience.
Are you one of the more than five million Windows Insiders playing with the early builds of Windows 10? What do you think so far? Whether you are or not, do you plan to take advantage of the free upgrade and make a switch to Windows 10 when it launches?