Windows 10 Anniversary Update Release date Arriving August 2

Jun 30, 2016 12:32 AM EDT

Mark your calendars, boys and girls - it looks like Microsoft's Windows 10 anniversary update is all set to arrive this coming August 2. The Windows 10 anniversary update should benefit at least 350 million devices, theoretically speaking, and you can bet your bottom dollar that there should not be any more $10,000 payouts by Microsoft anytime soon, or in the near future.


Do take note that August 2 is exactly four days after the one year anniversary the Windows 10 launch. It is set to happen well within the confines of Microsoft's expectations, as officials from the Redmond, Washington company have been mentioning for quite some time to expect "Redstone 1" (the codename of the anniversary update) to roll out July 29 at the earliest this year. So, August 2 ain't too shabby, don't you think so?

Microsoft intends to roll out its Windows 10 anniversary update to the entire slew of compatible devices that support it - and this would range from the likes of computers (desktops and notebooks), tablets, Windows Phones, the extremely expensive but super cool Surface Hub, the mainstay of many a living room - the Xbox One, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and HoloLens.

Do take note that if you would like to purchase retail copies of the Windows 10 anniversary update, you are more than welcome to do so, and it will also arrive preloaded on select new devices as well so that you will be saved from the hassle of performing the upgrade yourself. Regardless of which particular category which you fall under, the Windows 10 anniversary update will be free.

As for the other users who are still rocking to Windows 7 and Windows 8.X, if you miss the free Windows 10 update boat by July 29, then that door is closed forever - unless you are willing to fork out more dough to pick up either new devices that have Windows 10 running right from the get go, or to purchase a retail copy of Windows 10 in order to obtain the anniversary update afterwards.

You can be sure that your device or machine that has the Windows 10 anniversary update installed will be hum along nicely with a greater degree of security that enhances Windows Hello for apps and Windows Defender. Windows Defender, the free anti-malware service will now come with the option to schedule periodic quick scans of your PC automatically, while delivering new notifications and summaries upon the complete scan.

Cortana too, will be new and improved, being made available right above the lock screen so that one can ask questions, play back their favorite tunes, or set a reminder, all without having to go through the hassle of unlocking the PC. 

Enterprise Data Protection will also debut in the Windows 10 anniversary update in the form of "Windows Information Protection." This is an enterprise feature that offers file-level encryption for crucial business data as well as apps. As for the next anniversary update (Redstone 2, perhaps?), it will still be some time in coming, and whispers on the street have it that next spring is more likely than later this year.