- according to the BBC, here - 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30924022
 
Just as Cakewalk are breaking the existing model, so too, it would seem, are Microsoft, although on a very different scale and for very different reasons.

I wonder what's in this if anything for us DAW users? I guess it depends on just how much advance work The Bakers have done with MS on Win 10 and if there are any new feature and benefits to be derived. I guess, as always, folks will adopt their natural state of early adopters (in which case this will be welcomed) / innovators, early and late majority and the (massively cautious) laggards.
 
According to this BBC article, only about 10% of computers are running Windows 8, so I guess they feel they have to do something. I understand that Win 10 is the first single cross platform OS for PC's tablets and phones, and eventually, this might offer some interesting opportunities for software developers to develop their products further.
 
Over to the forum for comments please, I would be interested to know who feels this is significant, and why, or if it just has a big 'MEH' factor for you...

I'm just hoping that all my hardware products will have support for the new Win 10 drivers........otherwise, it'll be a meh and have to remain stuck with the 10% of Win 8.  

WTF?  Straight to Windows 10?  We all know that ONLY the odd number releases are worth anything. Guess I'm sticking with Windows 7 for a while...

Until I have to/MUST drop Win 7 for DAW reasons that is where I'll stay. 

Presonus stopped driver updates for my audio interface at Win7, so that's where I'm staying.

Not sure if this is new.
Wasn't Windows 8 free for upgraders from Windows 7 for a period of time...? (or almost free).

CakeAlexS
Not sure if this is new.
Wasn't Windows 8 free for upgraders from Windows 7 for a period of time...? (or almost free).

It was cheaper ($39.99), but not free.
 
The plan is to offer the upgrade free from Win 7 or 8 for one year, but require upgrading devices to be internet connected and with Windows Update enabled. That latter requirement makes me wonder if there will not be a software mechanism to be sure that any updated device has no trace of the older OS installed, and no chance of rollback. Maybe not just a pull to get users to Win 10, but a push as well?
 
And what does this mean?: "And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time – for no additional charge." Does that mean as long as Microsoft is making Windows for PC's? As long as the manufacturer is covering it under warranty or support? As long as Windows phones are not obsolete relics on the ash pile of history?
 
Clearly MS wants everyone using 10 ASAP, and wants to push updates so that they are always using the latest build, but they are not offering most of us any real support now so saving money on support this was does not look like a big deal. How is it going to make money on home users? The majority of their revenue is from sale of new PC's with heavily discounted Windows built into the price of the machine.
 
http://windows.microsoft....ome_Windows-10_Null_01
 
EDIT: So it looks like "supported lifetime of the device" means as long as the old device still meets the hardware requirements to run the new Windows.
http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-as-a-service-the-pros-and-cons/?tag=nl.e539&s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61