Windows 10 Momentum as Microsoft launches Surface Book and Surface Pro 4

The focus for today's big #Windows10Devices announcements was all about the hardware but we did learn how the momentum behind Windows 10 continues to grow.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

October 6, 2015

2 Min Read
Windows 10 Momentum as Microsoft launches Surface Book and Surface Pro 4

The focus for today's big #Windows10Devices announcements was all about the hardware, including the expected Surface Pro 4 and the brand new Surface Book, but we did learn that Windows 10is moving forward and is carrying a lot of momentum since its launch in late July.

This momentum continues despite the noise around privacy and the seemingly unexplainable variation in the Windows 10 experience for some users.

The operating system has now been available since 29 July, exactly 70 days, so lets take a look at the growth and usage statistics provided by Terry Myerson today in New York City.

  • 110 million devices are running Windows 10

  • 8 million business PCs are already running Windows 10

  • Over 50% of Microsoft's managed business customers have already started testing Windows 10 in their companies

  • 120 years worth of game play streamed from Xbox One to Windows 10 devices

  • 650 billion web pages viewed with the Microsoft Edge browser

  • Over 1 billion questions asked of Cortana

  • Over 1.25 billion visits to the Windows Store

  • 4 time increase in developer revenue since the release of Windows 10

  • Increased application usage on Windows 10. For example Netflix subscribers are spending more time in the app then they are on the Netflix website.

Along with the numerical momentum, Microsoft also announced that several new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps are coming to Windows 10 from various companies:

  • Facebook

  • Facebook Messenger

  • Instagram

  • Fitbit

  • Flipagram

  • Uber

  • The Weather Channel

  • CBS

  • Audible

  • Candy Crush Soda Saga

I did the math and that 110 million devices equates to 1.6 million installs per day since the launch of Windows 10.

When Microsoft announced the last set of official momentum numbers on 26 August, that was when it hit 75 million devices, the average number of installations was 2.5 million. That is an average drop of just over 1 million installs per day of Windows 10.

So does that drop mean it is a bad sign for Microsoft that momentum has slowed like that?

Well first, Microsoft was never going to maintain the crazy pace of installs in that first month and over time that number was going to decline anyway.  So is it surprising the pace has dropped - no.

Microsoft has established a goal of reaching 1 billion devices with Windows 10 within 2 - 3 years after its launch.

In order to meet that goal in 2 years Microsoft needs an average of 1.4 million installs per day; to reach it in 3 years they will need an average of 913,000 installs per day.

Based on those numbers the goal remains intact - at least for now.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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