Microsoft has announced that it will suspend the 2.5 million download limit for the beta version of Windows 7 for two weeks.

Windows communications manager Brandon LeBlanc explained in a posting on the Windows Blog on Saturday that the beta had generated "an enormous surge in demand", which caused problems with the download experience for a short time.

"As you may have noticed the download site has been up and running smoothly since this morning. That said, we apologise for the inconvenience that it caused some of you," LeBlanc wrote.

"We have clearly heard that many of you want to check out the Windows 7 Beta and, as a result, we have decided to remove the initial 2.5 million limit for the next two weeks (through January 24)."

Reaction to the news from Windows users was generally positive.

"I am amazed by the help tools provided by 7," wrote one. "And as my first view was deep enough it is definitely a better Vista. Usability has increased again."

Another wrote: "I must say it's working flawlessly. It installed quickly, and boots up faster than the other OSs. If this wasn't a Beta, I'd keep [it] as my primary OS."

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer announced availability of the new operating system beta at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week.