Redmond has pinned down the Windows 10 launch for the latter half of 2015.

During an appearance at a Credit Suisse tech conference in Arizona, Microsoft Operating Systems Group boss Terry Myerson said the OS will be ready to offer "end-user consumer experiences" in the early spring, followed by a developer preview in early summer.

"And then by late summer and early fall we'll be able to bring out this particular OS. That's the current plan of record," Myerson is quoted as saying by CNET. 

That's not all, as Microsoft is planning to show off the first tech preview of Windows 10 and the first preview of the Windows 10 Mobile SKU in late January. Many industry observers were a bit more optimistic and they expected Microsoft to release Windows 10 next spring, but that seems to be off the table. 

However, Windows 10 machines could be ready in time for the back-to-school shopping season and they will probably be on shelves in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday next year.