Windows 10 is now installed on more than 700 millions devices

Windows 10 launched in 2015, and since then the platform’s user base has steadily increased. Microsoft had laid down a lofty target for Win 10 to be installed on one billion devices by 2018. While Windows 10 has fallen a little short of that mark, the software giant has confirmed that Windows 10‘s user base eclipses the 700 million mark at recent Insider Dev Tour.

The departing Microsoft chief Mr. Myerson previously stated at a May 2018 Build developer conference that Win 10 was approaching a 700 million user base mark. At the conference, Mr. Myerson stated:

Today, we are now approaching 700 million active Windows 10 users, commercial usage is growing 84% year over year, Xbox One is running a Windows 10 core, Surface is leading PC innovation, HoloLens is bringing breakthroughs to computer vision, our universal Microsoft store enables Xbox GamePass, Azure reserved instances, and Office distribution, and the OEM ecosystem is revitalized with profitable growth.

However, Microsoft has confirmed at a more recent June Insider Dev Tour that Windows 10 is now installed on 700 million active devices. Thus, the platform’s user base has increased that much more to take it over the 700 million milestone. The figures provided at the Insider Dev Tour also highlight that the platform has an 84% growth rate and that there are more than 150 million users utilizing Cortana.

So, Microsoft can rightly proclaim Windows 10 a big hit even if the platform has still fallen a little short of the company’s initial targets. StatCounter data also highlights that Win 10 has now overtaken Windows 7 as the foremost desktop operating system in 2018. The latest figures show that Windows 10 has 47.21% market share compared with 7’s 39.44% share.

However, it’s not all great news for Windows 10. Even though Win 10 has strengthened Microsoft’s grip of the desktop OS market, it has been an entirely different story for mobile devices. Windows 10 Mobile had little impact on phones and tablets. As such, Microsoft has discontinued support for Win 10 on mobile devices. The demise of Windows 10 Mobile is perhaps one of the main factors behind the platform falling short of the billion device mark.

Nevertheless, Windows 10 goes from strength to strength on desktops and laptops with every big update. The April 2018 Update has further enhanced the OS with Timeline, Focus Assist, Nearby Sharing, new settings, a redesigned Game bar and a revamped Edge browser; and the Redstone 5 update will deliver even more in 2018. So Windows 10 continues to sustain considerable momentum.

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