Microsoft releases Windows 10 as free upgrade

MANILA, Philippines - Microsoft Philippines, the local arm of technology giant Microsoft Corp., is looking to get back into the game in mobile and tablet operating system while securing its lead in the personal computer (PC) and laptop segment with the launch of Windows 10.

Microsoft started making available yesterday Windows 10 as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 7 and 8.1 devices or with new PCs and tablets in 190 countries, including the Philippines.

 “We built Windows 10 in a different way compared to how we built our different products before. Those users who are getting Windows 10 right now, not only will they get it for free now but for the lifetime of their device, they will always get the latest Windows version. So we’re giving our users a one-year period to upgrade for free. After the first year, if you have not upgraded yet then you have to pay,” Windows business lead for Microsoft Philippines Mae Moreno said in an interview.

Moreno said Windows continues to have a large user base in the country at about 11 million to date, majority of which are in the PC and laptop segment.

 “What we really want to do is make sure all our users will use the latest and the greatest software. We want to make sure users of older versions will get to experience the innovation we have done and upgrade their experience as well,” she said.

Moreno said Windows 10 is expected to boost the company’s user base in the country, particularly in the tablet and mobile phone segment which have been left behind in recent years by other operating systems such as Android and iOS.

“When it comes to phones, we’re not that high here when it comes to user base. Tablet, we’re latecomers in the tablet space so it’s small but it’s growing,” Moreno said.

 “Yes, we do see a lot of growth in the tablet space for Windows. We’re also very optimistic about the phone business. We think that with Windows 10, it will definitely propel it to even better heights. We feel very good with the features we are coming out for the phones,” she added.

In terms of PC and laptop users, meanwhile, Moreno said Windows has been able to maintain its dominance in the Philippines for years now.

 “It has remained steady. Our market share in the PC space is about 90 to 95 percent. It has been like that for the longest time and it really has not shrunk,” she said.

Microsoft Philippines said the newest Windows is “the most secure Windows ever” as it will be kept automatically up to date with innovations and security updates.

 “We invest billions of dollars in making sure that our technology is something that’s always up to date, something that’s always good for people to use. Windows 10 is designed to empower people to achieve great things and deliver a human way to do,” Moreno said.