Microsoft officially launches Windows 10 on July 29th… but that doesn’t mean you’ll actually be able to use the operating system that day.
The company has already said it’ll start rolling out Windows 10 to folks who signed up for the free update starting on the 29th, but that not all users would get the update on day one.
Now it looks like you may not even be able to walk into a store and buy a new PC running Windows 10 on July 29th.
Microsoft has been working non-stop on the operating system and has yet to release the OS to manufacturing. That’s expected to happen sometime this week, but as the folks at Bloomberg note, that doesn’t really give PC makers a lot of time to load Windows 10 on their computers and ship them to retailers.
So you probably won’t see a lot of retail stores selling Windows 10 PCs on day one.
But, the nice thing about Windows 10 is that it should run well on pretty much any computer that can handle Windows 7 or later. That means you can buy a Windows 8.1 PC on July 29th and be pretty certain it’ll support Windows 10 if you choose to sign up for the software update.
Microsoft will be making Windows 10 available as a free upgrade for at least a year after it launches on July 29th.
For Microsoft’s part, the company plans to hold a series of celebrations around the world on launch day. The company is hosting demos, hands-on opportunities, and more.
You just won’t necessarily be able to actually install the software on your PC for a little while, due to the phased rollout.
The first in line for the update will be members of the Windows Insiders program who have been testing pre-released builds of the operating system. But The Verge reports that folks who buy a new PC on or after July 29th will also be moved to the front of the upgrade line.
Wait a few more weeks or months though, and this might be a non-issue. By then, there should be some Windows 10 computers available for purchase from stores, and folks who have a system running an earlier version of Windows probably won’t have to wait as long to download and install the free update.
So what are the requirements for the free upgrade now? Will we be given a Windows 10 key so we can reinstall Windows 10 directly if we want a clean install (ie. don’t need to install Windows 7/8 then 10)?
Microsoft isn’t giving the PC makers much time to test drivers (and install crapware). I just don’t see why Microsoft is rushing Windows10 out the door. You would think by now they would have learned it is a bad idea (Vista). Sure, they feel they need to play catch-up but pissing off your already unhappy customers is not they way to win them back. I think the slow release is a good idea, it gives them a chance to fix bugs as they are reported before everyone is complaining about them. I just think they should have more time to squash bugs before “normal” users have Windows10 on their computers.
I think this delay will dramatically hurt the uptake of Windows 10. If it is being launched, it should be available to whomever wants it free or otherwise.
I need 4 Surface 3 tablets for my parents and in-laws but have put off buying them because I wanted them with Windows 10 on them not Windows 8.1. Wanted 2 Surface Pro 4’s for me and my wife and pass down the Surface Pro 3’s, and now have to continue waiting.
Microsoft has done this to many times and it hurt them in the past and will hurt them NOW!
“Interestingly”, the current pre-release still has ridiculously complicated processes for setting the default browser, and changing the default search engine. In fact I haven’t managed to change the search engine setting yet. Given that Microsoft is going to be ramming Windows 10 down everyone’s throats very soon, I can’t see it as anything but an anti-Google gambit.
Only time will tell whether this rescues Windows from the Win8 travesty or proves to be an even bigger fiasco that alienates that much more of the former user base. Predictions are pointless because nobody wants to hear them: most people who have paid any attention to Windows 10 have already chosen a side, and many are quite polarized about it and have closed their ears.
I’ve already decided that I’ll be getting a new Win10 detachable soon. It isn’t a matter of blind faith or fanboyism (pretty much dislike most “solutions” out there). I simply want a full-fledged Desktop OS in a specific form-factor. Android/iOS don’t cut for me as OS-replacements. Linux folks are (apparently) working toward a solution…
I don’t expect to be happy with Win10 – I’ve a long history of both using MS products and bashing them to improve. I don’t expect that will change. Unfortunately, no one else has stepped up to produce a real Desktop-OS competitor on touchscreen detachables, flips or tablet (w/bluetooth keyboard). Competitors for this space had plenty of time, momentum and resources to come up with something but allowed MS back into the game.
If a user wants a real desktop-OS on any of the three categories of *larger* touchscreen devices (detachables, flip, tablet w/BT Keyboard/Mouse) – MS is the only game in town.