'It just hasn't caused a stir': The verdict on Windows 10

Resellers fear new OS could cut them out of the loop and leave customers feeling less in control - but commend its 'neat touches'

Channel folk have shared their thoughts on Microsoft's upcoming operating system, which the vendor has dubbed the most "personal Windows yet".

Windows 10 will see the death of Internet Explorer and the reintroduction of the Start menu, which will house a number of Windows apps; along with the introduction of a new web browser, complete cross-platform capabilities and more.

While Windows 10 is to arrive on 29 July as a free upgrade to those using Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 with pre-orders being accepted in the next few weeks, it doesn't appear to have created as much channel excitement as one might have expected.

Robbie Herd, manager at Kent-based PC reseller Sevenoaks Computers, pointed out that as it is available directly from the end user's desktop via a recently added icon, they might just download and manage Windows 10 themselves as opposed to visiting their local shop for help and advice. He added: "I must admit, we've probably had the least amount of interest for this one. It just hasn't created the stir that older versions of Windows did."

Overall, the reception for Windows 10 has been positive, with Simon barnard, general manager of computing at distributor Exertis commenting: "My initial impression is that Windows 10 looks very impressive and has many neat touches."

He said Exertis will be "working with vendors over the coming months to determine a strategy around devices which ship with Windows 10 pre-installed".

When asked if the launch would lead to a revenue bump for Exertis, Barnard said: "Right now it is difficult to predict, not least because initially it will be free of charge. Time will tell."

According to Hedley Corcoran, sales director at electronics retailer Midlands Computers, the call for reseller services will come from managing third-party software and applications that need to be qualified on end users' computers, or installing improved video cards to support new features that their older hardware cannot.

Automatic updates that will be rolled out by Microsoft over time will make it more difficult for the end user to manage their PC and its contents, leaving them feeling less in control, Corcoran argued.

He said: "It will create revenue from the validation process and from [business] customers who want it as a managed move for them. But end users want to have more control, and don't want to be forced onto the later versions because of the compatibility of the rest of the infrastructure."

Rob Quickenden, chief technology officer at corporate reseller Cisilion, added: "People want Windows to be like every other consumer device, but then when you're sitting there on your iPad you don't think about updating, it's just always up to date. When you're using the cloud, 365 or Google you're not thinking "oh God, I've got to update it", it just always is.

"It's quite funny when you go back to Windows OS, firstly you've still got such a huge estate running on an OS that's 15 years old. People don't have washing machines that old; it's absolutely crazy. But there is also this sense of a need for control where you have to manage updates and features and things like that."

Users can decide whether they want an update or not (they just have to turn automatic downloads off); however it is still a cause for concern in certain areas of the world where there is limited internet access.

Computer support provider NCI Technologies has warned that customers in countries such as the Falkland Islands could see their internet bills skyrocket if their device is to auto-connect to the web at peak times, just for an update.

Andy Trish, managing director of NCI Technologies, said: "The ability to control when you download Microsoft security patches means that you can keep your machines fully up to date and secure using the free bandwidth available through Sure [island internet access] after midnight.

"Lose this ability and you may get large downloads when you least expect it, day or night, without any option to stop it."

Clive Goldman of computer retailer Goldman Computers commented on the auto upgrades, saying it will be harder to track the source of errors in a system if the computer isn't being updated manually: "It depends whether they download it and install it when ready, or take the plunge and just see whether they've got a problem once it's installed."

Teething problems can be expected in a new product, especially one that covers such an array of devices, programmes and capabilities. These problems won't just be for the consumer or Microsoft either, but enterprises as well. Goldman highlighted that "Symantec had just realised that it doesn't have compatibility (with Windows 10) at the moment, but it's anticipating having it in a couple of weeks."

If a company such as Symantec can get caught out with this, as Goldman implies, it will be interesting to see who else is less than fully prepared, and possibly how the channel could benefit from this by offering assistance with migration.

Social media is naturally abuzz with comment and opinion on everything Windows 10. Here are a few tweets that stuck out.