Microsoft: Windows 10 launch will honour people who ‘do great things’

Microsoft has something different planned for the launch of Windows 10. Sure the slick keynote and stage presentations will still be there, but the Redmond-based giant says it’s really going for something a little more human this time around.

Alongside all the usual stuff we see at tech launches, Microsoft says there’ll be “global fan celebrations, joint efforts with thousands of retailers, including all Microsoft store locations, a new global advertising campaign, and a new year-long initiative to celebrate people and organizations making a difference around the world”.

“Windows 10 was built to empower people to do great things. We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of Windows 10 with our fans,” said Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Windows and Devices Marketing at Microsoft. “We’ll mark the launch of Windows 10 by celebrating the people and organisations that upgrade the world every day — and by helping them do more in their communities.”

The inside track

Some 5-million Windows Insiders have been testing Windows 10 and providing feedback over the past few months. They’ll be the first to lay hands on it and will also be invited to join Windows 10 fan celebrations in 13 cities around the world, including Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, New Delhi, Dubai, Nairobi, Berlin, Johannesburg, Madrid, London, Sao Paolo, and New York City.

Read more: HoloLens, Continuum and Cortana: Microsoft’s Windows 10 playbook

Microsoft says these celebrations will offer hands-on opportunities, experiential demos, entertainment and opportunities to meet the Windows team.

Upgrade Your World

Another important part of the Windows 10 programme is the Upgrade Your World initiative. According to Microsoft, the year-long initiative aims to celebrate those who inspire and empower others.

As part of the initiative, Microsoft will partner with 10 global and 100 national nonprofits in the year-long initiative to help them upgrade the world. A total US$10-million cash investment, it says, will be made in support of their missions and to promote awareness of their causes.

Read more: Microsoft Build 2015: HoloLens, Windows 10, Microsoft Edge and more

The participating global nonprofits are CARE, Code.org, Keep a Child Alive, Malala Fund, Pencils of Promise, Save the Children, Special Olympics, The Global Poverty Project, and The Nature Conservancy. Microsoft will work with these organizations on projects and initiatives to upgrade the world, through a combination of technology, cash investments, and development of shared campaigns to raise awareness.

Beginning 29 July, Microsoft and its partners will invite people around the world to nominate a 10th global nonprofit to participate. Microsoft is also encouraging people to participate by sharing how they are doing big and small things to make an impact in their community and beyond using #UpgradeYourWorld.

In addition to these global partners, Microsoft will join its partners and fans in September to select 10 nonprofits in each of 10 countries — Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States — to also receive cash investments and technology to help them upgrade the world in their local communities.

Microsoft is also giving employees worldwide an extra day off to volunteer in their community at any time within the next year. Thousands of those employees will volunteer to upgrade their communities on July 29 in honor of the Windows 10 launch.