Windows 10 Release Date Set for Summer

Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 10, will launch this summer across 190 countries and in 111 languages, executive Terry Myerson announced in a blog post. The company isn't yet committing to a specific release date, however.

For the first twelve months following Windows 10's launch, PCs running Windows 7 and 8 will be eligible for a free upgrade to the new OS.

Microsoft has also announced a new partnership with Chinese Internet giant Tencent. As part of the deal, Tencent will bring some of its most popular PC games, including League of Legends and Cross Fire, to Windows 10 and the new Windows store.

Windows 10 features a new Xbox gaming app, which will not require Xbox Live Gold. Meanwhile, another marquee gaming feature for Windows 10 is that it will allow Xbox One games to stream to PCs and tablets running the new OS. In addition, Windows 10 supports cross-platform play, starting with Fable Legends.

Predecessor Windows 8, released in October 2012, was controversial in that it introduced a touch-focused tile design that was markedly different to Windows 7. Microsoft addressed these criticisms with frequent--and substantial updates--including Windows 8.1.

The company isn't starting over with Windows 10, but Microsoft appears to be taking a more traditional approach with the new OS.

"We believe that, together with the feedback you provide us, we can build a product that all of our customers will love," Myerson said last year. "It will be our most open collaborate OS projects ever."