Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Windows 10 box art leaks, so you’ll know what to look for in-store

Brad Bourque
By

windows 10 box art leak windows10hero
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Between free upgrades for older version users and the Insider program, it’s doubtful many users will walk into a store and buy a copy of Windows 10. Nevertheless, the box art for both the Home and Pro versions of Windows 10 have found their way onto the internet, and it brings with it some interesting news – Microsoft will be selling Windows 10 on USB sticks.

If you opt for the new USB version, your box art will be plain white, with a Windows 10 logo on the front. The Home and Pro versions have blue and purple logos, respectively. Users have been making their own USB drives for years, and there’s even an official Windows USB/DVD download tool so you can easily create a USB stick with a Windows installation on it.

Recommended Videos

And USB drive Boxes :-) pic.twitter.com/MIalmgyIGx

— Microsoft Insider (@MicrosoftInside) July 13, 2015

The more traditional DVD install of Windows 10 features the same white box, but the logo is instead a screenshot of the classic desktop. The new operating system’s most immediately noticeable change from Windows 8 is the return of the Start Menu and classic desktop. It makes sense to put that right on the front of the box to lure back users who moved away from Windows after dealing with the Windows 8 Start Screen. It also appears there is a purple version of the Hero wallpaper for Pro users, although it may change color based on your interface color selection.

Full 1280X1280 windows 10 Box Edition pic.twitter.com/KWyxVXmjmQ

— Microsoft Insider (@MicrosoftInside) July 11, 2015

Of course, most users who are already running Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 have the option to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. If that’s the case for you, the upgrade will happen over the air via Windows Update, just like any other operating system update. It’s likely this is the last Windows iteration that will be sold on physical media of any kind, with major updates rolling out over the air from here on out.

If you’re planning on paying, Windows 10 will cost you $119 for the Home version, and $199 for Pro, which includes increased domain and security tools that will only be of utility to enterprise users. If you don’t mind using pre-release software, you can opt into the Windows Insider program and effectively have a free copy of Windows 10.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Brad Bourque
Brad Bourque
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad Bourque is a native Portlander, devout nerd, and craft beer enthusiast. He studied creative writing at Willamette…
Windows 11’s taskbar may get a handy feature from Windows 10
Laptop sitting on a desk showing Windows 11's built-in Microsoft Teams experience

If you're a heavy multitasker in Windows 11, you might have noticed that your taskbar might be a little messy when you have too many apps open at once. Windows 10 had a handy overflow feature to help in that situation, and according to a noted Windows leaker on Twitter, it could soon make a comeback on Windows 11.

While Microsoft hasn't confirmed anything about this just yet, @thebookisclosed is the one who has the specifics of the feature. With it, you should be able to see and access all of your open apps in a new overflow bin in the Windows 11 taskbar.

Read more
Windows 11 had a big four months. Here’s what’s coming next
A laptop sits on a desk with a Windows 11 wallpaper.

It's been about four months since Windows 11 first launched, and Microsoft is now talking about what's next for its new operating system.

As many rumors suggested, arriving this year are features like Android Apps, taskbar improvements, and redesigned core applications. Yet in detailing those new features for Windows 11, Microsoft also talked about some trends in the Windows space regarding hybrid work and learning, entertainment, and other consumer habits for everyday tasks.

Read more
What is TPM? Everything you need to know to run Windows 11
asus tpm chip in motherboard.

Windows 11 is out and updating on many machines, and in the process a lot of PC builders are tripped up by an odd system requirement: TPM 2.0. A TPM, or Trust Platform Module, is a dedicated processor that handles hardware-level encryption. It's the device that allows you to use biometrics to log in to Windows and encrypt data on your device.

Still, it's tough understanding what a TPM is, and more importantly, why you need one for Windows. We're here to help you cut through the cryptographic weeds so you can get your PC up to spec to install Windows 11.

Read more