Windows 10 to be shipped on USB flash drives

The use of optical media in the PC space has been dwindling quite drastically over the past few years, but this doesn’t mean removable media is invalid.

USB flash drives have taken up the slack that was once place primarily placed on disc-based media for PCs

Microsoft has taken note of the importance of USB flash drives and has made them one of the alternative options with which to ship Windows 10.

Of course, it’s expected that Windows 10 will receive disc-based releases in all variants of the operating system. But there are a number of advantages to flash drives.

This is great for notebook users who don’t have an optical drive, and generally for PC users who appreciate the overall robustness of a USB flash drive over its optical media counterpart.

Check out that home screen! Image courtesy of WCCFTech.

On top of this, the possibility that you could have an up-to-date version of Windows 10 every time you install the OS is also another positive. Or, perhaps, when purchasing an optical drive down the line, it’s been updated accordingly.

Now Microsoft has granted our wishes and has finally confirmed that retail versions of Windows 10 will be available on a USB flash drive.

Following this, the company has opened up pre-orders floodgates for the OS on Amazon in the US.

Amazon have listings for USB versions of both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro, and are listed at their respective standard prices of $119.99 (R1,478.61) and $199.99 (R2,464.44). Remember, these price conversions don’t include local import taxes and duties.

It also doesn’t appear that Microsoft is charging a premium for the USB versions of Windows 10, which is how we like it.

These versions are scheduled for release on August 16^th, which follows two weeks after Windows 10 officially launches.

Let’s not forget the tight window between when the OS is expected to go RTM and when it’s to be released, any delays would be catastrophic.

Microsoft will probably be boxing and distributing the finished version of Windows 10 within that tight window, but hopefully there won’t be any delays.

It must also be stressed that Windows 10 will be a free update for legal Windows 7 and Windows 8 users, so don’t go pre-ordering Windows 10, irrespective of the medium, until you’re sure you won’t already be getting the OS for free.

Windows 10 officially releases on July 29th, and we can’t wait.