The power of free: Windows 10 running on 14 million PCs within 24 hours of launch

Fourteen million early adopters shrug off privacy and bug fears to install Windows 10

Windows 10 was downloaded and installed on more than 14 million PCs within 24 hours of launch, according to Microsoft, with users taking the plunge despite the generalised advice to wait six months until all the bugs have been ironed out.

The vast majority of the users are taking advantage of the company's free download offer to upgrade from Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, rather than paying for a new version on a new PC or laptop.

In an emotionally overwrought blog post, Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Windows and Devices Group, wrote: "It has been an incredible 24 hours for Windows and our fans. We're humbled and grateful to see the response to Windows 10. We have seen unprecedented demand for Windows 10, with reviews and customer feedback overwhelmingly positive around the globe."

The company is staggering the rollout of the operating system, which was made available as a free download, over the next few weeks. The download, if users have opted in to receive it, is some 3GB in size.

Mehdi continued: "We are carefully rolling out Windows 10 in phases, delivering Windows 10 first to our Windows Insiders. While we now have more than 14 million devices running Windows 10, we still have many more upgrades to go before we catch up to each of you that reserved your upgrade."

Mehdi also shared a number of adulatory reviews from US news outlets, such as CNN's "Windows 10 is Seriously Great", to Wired's "Before We Go Any Further, You Should Upgrade to Windows 10" - rather than Computing's more jaded, "Microsoft launches Windows 10 - world rejoices".

He also avoided addressing a growing backlash over privacy concerns, with Windows 10 feeding back more information than ever - together with unique, identifying IDs - back to Microsoft's HQ in Seattle.