How Microsoft plans to launch Windows 10 across devices

Microsoft will launch Windows 10 in several staggered events and many features won't make it to the operating system initially.

Windows 10 at Microsoft BUILD 2015

We’re expecting Microsoft to launch Windows 10 later this summer in 190 countries, but the company is not planning to launch the new operating system on all devices at once. According to the software maker, Windows 10 will launch in several staggered events throughout the fall and each launch will focus on different platforms.

Microsoft will begin the rollout of Windows 10 on desktop PCs later this summer. However, during the media press event at BUILD 2015, Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore explained that they are adapting the phone experiences later than they are including the PC experiences, which means that the company is taking its time to complete the mobile version of Windows 10 — therefore we will see the release on a later date.

Belfiore also confirms that many devices and features will not arrive on launch date, but soon after. Microsoft’s focus is to get Windows 10 for desktop ready as quickly as possible and other devices such as phone, Xbox, Surface Hub, and HoloLens will show up in a later date.

This is not a surprising move, Windows 8.1 shipped first on PC and later on phones, so it seems Microsoft continues with the same plan.

The software giant also said that various features won’t make it in time of the launch of Windows 10. Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore didn’t say which features will be cut off at launch, but he mentioned that features will continue to roll out as soon as summer and more will arriving during fall.

Microsoft Edge, the new web browser, for example, will include support for extensions just like FireFox and Chrome, but they won’t be available at launch, Microsoft plans to add the functionality after Windows 10 launches.

In addition, we have yet to see the new Skype integration in the operating system, as such this could one of those features that won’t be making a debut later this summer.

While the company is approaching the finish line with Windows 10, it seems that it’s still not ready to share the specific launch date, although previously AMD’s CEO, Lisa Su, revealed that it could happen in late July.

It’s been a long journey for the next generation of Windows and there is still a long way to go, but seeing the Microsoft plans, we can only expect faster updates, new apps, and new features rolling out constantly after Windows 10 launches.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.