Version TH1 Professional 10240 was released today.  This is the first release by the Microsoft group that will release the final version.  Previously Preview versions were being released by "fbl" group which is the department that was doing the preview versions. 
 
The 10240 has the "Preview" watermark removed from the desktop and is very close to the final version.  
 
The upgrade from fbl version 10166 to the TH1 Professional 10240 version carried all my applications, such as Sonar Platinum over.  I didn't lose anything in the upgrade.
 
 

More info from the Windows 10 forum.  Looks like the 10240 version IS the release version.
 

Microsoft has now finalized Windows 10, ready for its release later this month. Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans tell The Verge that the software giant has selected build 10240  as the final release to manufacturing (RTM) copy, allowing PC makers to  start loading the software onto new machines ready for release. We  understand that Microsoft is signing off on the build internally today,  and may announce the RTM publicly by the end of the week or choose to  ignore the milestone and focus on the launch. While Microsoft is  planning to launch Windows 10 on July 29th, new PCs with the software  won’t be available until some weeks later. Microsoft is now pushing for  existing and new device owners to upgrade to Windows 10 as part of a new marketing campaign.

fireberd
Version TH1 Professional 10240 was released today.  This is the first release by the Microsoft group that will release the final version.  Previously Preview versions were being released by "fbl" group which is the department that was doing the preview versions. 
 
The 10240 has the "Preview" watermark removed from the desktop and is very close to the final version.  
 
The upgrade from fbl version 10166 to the TH1 Professional 10240 version carried all my applications, such as Sonar Platinum over.  I didn't lose anything in the upgrade.
 
 

That's my experience as well. It's looking very, very good!

May be true but.... 'Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans tell The Verge'....


Well that's a convincer :)
Until M$ says it themselves take that as ... Well whatever you like.

I suspect they are right. MS has a hard time keeping secrets; it's a big company and there's a lot of press dedicated to watching everything they do. When I worked there we used to read "all-hands" memos from Gates in the press before they hit our inboxes.

Am I correct in thinking;
All windows 7 and 8 machines will be viable for an upgrade to 10. There is a one year window of opportunity, but you have to sign up before a certain date. To sign up, you need to have to run an update, that puts a program on you machine, and then you run through confirming to MS that you want to upgrade.
 
A date a read was 29 July.
 
With that in mind, I tried running updates on my small general use laptop, but then faced a  3 day nightmare getting to to work. Now they are all completed, I se no signs of the app.
 
Speaking to guy that project manages a team of gaming programmers last night, he told me, that the dates vary by region, and be phase rolled out across regions, to allow them to respond to issues. I didn't ask too much further as he was gaming at my mates house.
 
I have got the gist of it?