Good news to Windows OS users, the upcoming Windows 10 will be coming to users for free. Yes, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8 users can get the OS upgrade for free within the first year after its release. 

Windows 10 will be available as a direct download for Windows 7 and 8 users. Users who are still using the older versions of Windows like the Vista and XP will have to resort to full reformat and reinstall. According to a tweet of Microsoft's Windows 10 team member Gabriel Aul, the new Windows OS supports full upgrade installation paths that are absent in older Windows. Microsoft will roll out Windows 10 for free in the first 12 months upon its release and will last for the "supported lifetime of the device."

One of the best attributes of Windows 10 is the fact that the operating system will be universal. This means that the OS will run on Windows-based PCs, notebooks, phones and other devices. This will yield to the development of "universal apps" as the software would work across mobile devices and desktops and laptops. The aim of Windows 10 is to allow users to have a smooth transition from one device to another, meaning the operating system will enable users to work on a Windows PC and continue in a Windows-based smartphone where they left off. This could be a great advantage to Microsoft as the connection of the devices running with the OS is expected to be seamless.

Another prime feature of Windows 10 is security. With the threat of hackers that caused inconvenience to Microsoft's gaming arm Xbox Live, Windows 10 is claimed to be resistant to hacking cases. 

On Jan. 21, Microsoft rolled out the Windows 10 Consumer Preview as hundreds of people signed up for the beta version of the OS. Meanwhile, Microsoft's chief operating officer Kevin Turner confirmed earlier this month that Windows 10 is still on track and the Developer Preview is bound for release in early summer and the official version will be rolled out this fall.