Incredible things happen on a daily basis in the world of technology – but this week a major breakthrough involving holograms was pushed to the sidelines by the fact that Microsoft will make the latest version of its Windows operating system free to a large number of users.

Windows 10 will be free to users of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 for the first year. What happened to Windows 9 I hear you ask? Well, either Microsoft has lost the ability to count, or wanted to suggest the new version was going to be a transformational shift.

Given my day job largely focuses on encouraging people to adopt shiny new products, it would be far too easy for me to reel off a list of new features and endorse Microsoft’s claims this will be the best and most advanced version of Windows yet. It looks like Microsoft’s efforts are focused on making the experience of Windows 10 as intuitive as using your tablet or smartphone, it could help the PC retake some vital ground in the battle for our attention.

In a world of smartphones and tablets it’s very easy to forget the importance of the humble computer. Since the 1980s, Microsoft has been the undisputed king of the PC market – no matter who made the hardware, it was likely their Windows operating system would be running the software. So what is so exciting about a free update? It’s true that many of us forgot about the trusty PC, it’s stuck in the study or office, while we take our phone or tablet everywhere.

With ever decreasing numbers stumping up the £100-£250 Microsoft demanded for a Windows upgrade, the PC got increasingly less exciting.

By making Windows 10 free, Microsoft are attempting to flip the market on its head – giving PC owners an opportunity to drag their computer into 2015. The more who chose to switch to the latest version, the more encouragement there will be to developers to write more exciting software for the PC. When Windows 10 becomes available later this year, try it – as it’s free what have you got to lose?