Not everyone will be able to download Windows 10 on launch day

Windows 10 is scheduled to launch on July 29th, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to purchase or upgrade to the new operating system on that date, even if you’ve already reserved a copy. Microsoft announced earlier today that the rollout of Windows 10 will come in waves, most likely to reduce the amount of stress that the company’s infrastructure will have to endure when millions of people start downloading Windows 10 all at once. 

Windows 10 comes out on July 29th, but you might have to wait until later to get it. Microsoft said today that it would be rolling out Windows 10 in waves, “slowly scaling up” the rollout as it sees how things are going. The intention seems to be playing it safe and making sure that Windows 10 is getting a good response and running smoothly across the millions of different systems out there. Microsoft may even issue updates to Windows 10 between its July 29th release date and the time that some early adopters are actually able to download it. It sounds as though Windows Insiders — who are already testing Windows 10 — will be able to receive the update on July 29th. After that, people who have gone through the Windows 10 reservation process will begin to receive the ability to update to the new OS. When the rollout hits them, Windows 10 will download to their computers before they’re presented with the option to update. It actually seems like a smooth and sensible update process, even if it may disappoint some who were hoping to jump in right on day one. Microsoft doesn’t state how long it expects the rollout to take.