On Thursday, Yahoo cited an online report from a German website saying that software giant Microsoft is planning to sell its new Windows operating system including the Windows 10 Pro SKUs in retail stores on flash drives. Microsoft's new flagship Windows 10 operating system was touted to be a "multi-platform" version that will be available on desktop computers, ultrabook laptops, tablets and other devices.
However, Windows 10, as Yahoo noted, won't reportedly take the usual installation pack using a CD or DVD disc sales, as Microsoft plans to have a flash drive version of the Windows 10 installer that is intended for next-generation machines. The company reportedly claims that having the OS on a flash drive makes it more handy and convenient on the user's end.
NDTV Gadgets reports that the Windows 10 flash drive installer will only allow a one-time installation for PC. It also added that the USB flash drive installer will be available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions as it will also contain the Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro versions. Microsoft says that Windows 10 Home Edition will be sold for $119 while the Windows 10 Pro Edition is priced at $199. The company also stressed that for those licenced users of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, a free downloadable upgrade will be available. The free upgrade will no longer require most PC users to secure either a Windows 10 installation disc or a flash drive.
However, according to related news from Techspot, the rumored Windows 10 flash drive installer will reportedly be more expensive than the installer in a CD and DVD format. As Techspot noted, Microsoft will likely mark up an additional $25 for the Windows 10 Home Edition and $38 for the Windows 10 Pro Edition.
The full-install version of Windows 10 will be released on July 29, 2015. The Windows 10 OS features Cortana and its new web browser, Microsoft Edge, according to Microsoft.
