When Microsoft launched Windows 10 in 2015, the company said it envisioned the platform on one billion devices. It was a lofty goal considering PC sales have continued to dwindle in the consumer market. However, Microsoft was banking on enterprise upgrades carrying Win10 to that billion total. Now, the company says the milestone should be reached in 2020.
According to the Redmond company, Windows 10 is now running on over 900 million devices.
Early adoption of the platform was relatively slow, although it did make its way to 400 million around a year after its release. At the time, many predicted Microsoft’s 1 billion goal seemed out of reach.
In recent years the tide has changed, with Microsoft expecting a surge as Windows 7 reached its end of life. With Win7 support set to end in January, 2020, organizations have been increasingly moving to Windows 10.
#Windows10 is on more than 900M devices! Thanks to our customers, we added more new Windows 10 devices in the last 12 months than ever before. From PCs to HoloLens to Xbox to Surface Hub, Windows continues to power innovation—with more to come next week! https://t.co/G3CRdkFoPT pic.twitter.com/38fKk50IEH
— Yusuf Mehdi (@yusuf_i_mehdi) September 24, 2019
Just six months ago, Microsoft said Windows 10 usage had reached 800 million devices. The jump by another 900 million in such a short space of time is down to several factors. The aforementioned Windows 7 end-of-support is a big part, but Microsoft says there have been more new Windows 10 devices in the last year than ever before.
Of course, these days Win10 is available across several form factors, including HoloLens and Xbox One.
It is worth noting Microsoft’s initial goal of one billion devices running Win10 was scheduled for three years after release. So, the company has fallen short by a couple of years.
Extending Windows 7
Last month, Microsoft announced it is going to continue to offer free security patches beyond Windows 7 end-of-support.
“Enterprise Agreement and Enterprise Agreement Subscription (EA and EAS) customers with active subscription licenses to Windows 10 Enterprise E5, Microsoft 365 E5, or Microsoft 365 E5 Security will get Windows 7 Extended Security Updates for Year 1 as a benefit,” Microsoft said in a FAQ about the end of support for Windows 7 and Office 2010.
