Windows 10: Microsoft to unveil features of highly-anticipated operating system

Microsoft is set to reveal more features of new operating system Windows 10, and give details on its virtual reality headset, at the firm's annual developer conference on Wednesday.

This year's Windows maker's event, Microsoft Build, is crucial for the technology giant as it continues to fight against the dominance of Apple and Android in the mobile industry.

Even in the PC market, an area Microsoft has been synonymous with for 20 years, the firm's Windows software is being outgrown by Apple's Mac laptop and desktop line, which run Mac OS X software.

After a Windows event at the beginning of the year that caught the eye because of the introduction of augmented reality computing with the HoloLens headset, there is growing expectation that Build 2015 will see Microsoft give its products a hard sell.

At that Windows event in January, HoloLens was arguably the biggest announcement. The augmented reality headset Microsoft previewed has been designed to enable users to compute using 3D holograms that appear in front of them, no matter where they are.

While those at that event were able to try a prototype, the first real development version of the device could appear on Wednesday, marking one step closer to retail release.

There is also likely to be an on-stage demo of HoloLens, and possibly some more information on the kind of apps it will support, and how Microsoft envisages them being used on the device.

The most prominent product from Microsoft remains Windows 10. Though a fair amount of the new software has already been revealed, such as the return of the Start menu and Project Spartan; the as yet still unofficial name for the new Windows web browser, there are still plenty of details to discuss.

Top of the list is a release date - which remains "summer", but Microsoft is expected to elaborate on this, as well as give information on when the new operation system will reach devices like the Xbox One and Lumia phones.