Windows 10: PC makers still waiting on drivers from component manufacturers

Less than a week to go, and PC component makers are still finishing off their drivers...

PC makers hoping to enjoy a spike in sales stimulated by the launch of Windows 10 may miss out because component manufacturers are still finishing off their drivers.

That is the message from the PC makers themselves, who are still putting together their portfolios of products to accompany the launch of the new Microsoft operating system.

Computing has spoken to both major PC manufacturers, such as HP, Dell and Lenovo, as well as UK-based independents about their plans for Windows 10 and to find out more about the products they plan to launch next Wednesday, when Microsoft finally unveils its long-anticipated new operating system.

Speaking to Computing off the record, the marketing manager of one company told us: "We're still waiting for the drivers from device manufacturers, and we won't know what we can launch alongside Windows 10 until Tuesday," he said.

In other words, many PC makers won't know what products they will be able to launch alongside Windows 10 because the makers of key components like graphics cards haven't finished and shipped drivers to support Windows 10.

Microsoft fixed the final, launch version of Windows 10 on Build 10240 after several months of beta testing and improvements with Windows Insider Programme members. Although device makers will have had access to each beta version of Windows 10 as they were released, the final build was only released to manufacturing in mid-July.