Microsoft’s Goal To Have Windows 10 On A billion Devices By 2018 May Not Be Met After all

It was April 2015 when Microsoft predicted that its Windows 10 operating system would run on  billion devices by 2018. But while some questioned this as being over ambitious, other thought it was possible because let’s face it, they had a good strategy. Microsoft offered free upgrades over the last one year for Windows 7 and 8 users and since then, they have recorded about 350 million installs of their latest operating system version. But just yesterday, ZDNet ( a tech website) says even Microsoft now thinks the goal might not be achievable after all.

How can this be? If in a year, they have recorded 350 million, I would think this goal is still achievable especially in light of recent reports that the PC market may be experiencing some form of recovery and that the market was really hoping Windows 10 would help sustain that recovery.

But now after reading the statement on ZDNet, I am also thinking maybe they might reach the goal after all. Windows marketed head Yusef Medhi says “Windows 10 is off to the hottest start in history with over 350m monthly active devices, with record customer satisfaction and engagement. We’re pleased with our progress to date, but due to the focusing of our phone hardware business, it will take longer than FY18 for us to reach our goal of 1 billion monthly active devices. In the year ahead, we are excited about usage growth coming from commercial deployments and new devices — and increasing customer delight with Windows.”

What he’s saying in essence is this, we would hit the goal but for our mobile division which is not growing as fast as we think. Just before Windows 10 officially launched in July 2015, Microsoft laid cut about 7,800  jobs and much of that  came from its mobile phone division and this has taken a toll on the tempo of Windows 10 installs.

After the 29th of this month, it will now cost the average user $119/40,000 Naira to upgrade to Windows 10 and this could be factor as well no matter how little.