As Microsoft does "all it can" to push everyone to Windows 10, the company's new operating system is already off to a blazing start. About 14 million people have already crossed over during Windows 10's first day out.
Migration to Windows 10 should continue to accelerate as Microsoft expands the availability of the OS beyond its Windows Insider program. Microsoft previously said the deployment of Windows 10 would begin with insiders and gradually roll out to widespread availability.
Microsoft indicated that it would offer Windows 10 to its roughly 5 million-strong Windows Insider group before offering the OS to home users who had preorded it. Apparently Microsoft began deployment beyond the Windows Insider program, delivering the OS to an additional 9 million users.
As Microsoft marches to its goal of a billion Windows 10 installed in the first three years the OS is out, Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Windows and Devices Group, said the company is working round the clock to drive the upgrade process. However, Microsoft is prioritizing quality over quickness.
"We are grateful for your excitement and enthusiasm and we appreciate your patience over the days and weeks ahead as we carefully roll out Windows 10 in phases to all of you that have reserved," said Mehdi.
Despite a successful day one and a flood of positive reviews, some have taken issue with elements of Microsoft's latest OS. The folks at Mozilla aren't too happy about the way Microsoft is handling the upgrade, specifically the migration of user settings.
Mozilla CEO Chris Beard penned an open letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella concerning "a very disturbing aspect of Windows 10." Upgrading to Windows 10 effectively overrides user preferences for web browsers, replacing a Chrome or a Firefox with Microsoft's brand new Edge browser.
"It now takes more than twice the number of mouse clicks, scrolling through content and some technical sophistication for people to reassert the choices they had previously made in earlier versions of Windows," said Beard in the letter. "It's confusing, hard to navigate and easy to get lost."
Mozilla is a non-profit in part because it wants to bring users options, Beard believes. The organization works to elevate the Internet experience beyond improving its own products.
"Sometimes we see great progress, where consumer products respect individuals and their choices," said Beard. "However, with the launch of Windows 10 we are deeply disappointed to see Microsoft take such a dramatic step backwards."
It wouldn't be shocking for Microsoft to alter the upgrade experience to retain users' choice of web browsers when migrating to Windows 10, but Mozilla shouldn't hold its breath if Windows 10's rollout continues to be successful.
"It has been an incredible 24 hours for Windows and our fans," said Mehdi. "We're humbled and grateful to see the response to Windows 10."
