While those interested in running Microsoft's Windows 10 IoT Core—its free OS for hobbyist boards like the Raspberry Pi 2 and MinnowBoard Max—will likely have the chops to put together their own custom hardware configuration, the company wants to give newbies a helping hand. Microsoft has partnered with Adafruit to release the Windows IoT Core Starter Kit, which gives users everything they need to get started with IoT development.

The $75 (~£50) kit comes comes complete with an SD card preloaded with Windows 10 IoT Core, a Raspberry Pi 2 case, full size 40-pin breadboard, miniature WiFi module, BMP280 environmental sensor, RGB colour sensor, eight channel 10-Bit ADC with SPI interface, and a whole host of different resistors and LEDs. Those who needed Raspberry Pi 2 can pick up a $114.95 (~£70) with one included. A full list of the included components is below.

8GB class 10 SD/MicroSD Memory Card w/ Windows 10 IOT Core

Adafruit Raspberry Pi B+ Case

Full Size Breadboard

Premium Male/Male Jumper Wires

Premium Female/Male 'Extension' Jumper Wires

Miniature WiFi Module

5V 2A Switching Power Supply

Assembled Adafruit BMP280 Temperature & Humidity sensor

Assembled TCS34725 RGB Color Sensor

MCP3008 - 8 Channel 10-Bit ADC With SPI Interface

1x Photo Cell

2x Breadboard Trim Potentiometer

5x 10K 5% 1/4W Resistor

5x 560 ohm 5% 1/4W Resistor

1x Diffused 10mm Blue LED

1x Electrolytic Capacitor - 1.0uF

1x Diffused 10mm Red LED

1x Diffused 10mm Green LED

3x 12mm Tactile Switches

Microsoft is hoping that kit, along with some free sample code, will encourage users to ditch Linux on their IoT projects in favour of Windows 10. While that's a big ask, the company has been heavily courting the hobbyist community of late. Earlier this year, Microsoft revealed that it was bringing Windows 10 to the ever popular Arduino microcontroller boards, starting with the release of two open source libraries that connect Arduinos to Windows 10 devices.