Microsoft confirms Windows 10 has hit one billion users

Microsoft has today announced that its Windows 10 operating system (OS) has hit a milestone: one billion people use the OS across 200 countries, resulting in more than one billion active Windows 10 devices.

Microsoft reports that every member of the Fortune 500 uses the OS now using Windows 10 devices.

Additionally, the software giant reports one in seven people use Windows 10 in some way.

"With Windows 10, our focus has always been to put the customer at the centre, to listen to feedback, and to have that feedback shape the development process," says Microsoft CVP modern life, search and devices, Yusuf Mehdi.

"One of the strongest examples of this customer focus is our Windows Insider Program.

"We have also strived to make Windows an open, inclusive, and accessible platform that can empower everyone to achieve their goals," says Mehdi.

"Our Windows Accessibility team focuses on human-centred design, a method where engineers and designers work to deeply understand peoples' needs, and then co-design and continuously iterate on solutions directly with them".

With the announcement of the milestone, Microsoft has also committed to delivering multiple newer versions of Windows 10 every year, as well as faster and more frequent feature and security updates.

The Windows 10 system has also enabled new categories of device creation including Surface Pro, Surface Book, and Surface Hub 2S; and will power future devices such as Surface Neo, a dual-screen device that will run Windows 10X, presenting users with unique experiences on multi-posture dual-screen PCs.

Other recently launched devices utilising Windows 10 include the Acer ConceptD 700 workstation, ASUS ExpertBook B9, XPS 13 from Dell, HP Elite Dragonfly,  Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex α
Microsoft says their innovation will continue, citing emerging technology like biometric log-in with Windows Hello, touch-to-dial apps like Your Phone, enabling Android users to connect their phone to their PC.

In its announcement, Microsoft purported Windows to be the most accessible operating system, with Azure cloud, users of Mac, iOS or even Chromebooks use the operating system.

"Reaching a billion people with Windows 10 is just the beginning," says Mehdi.

"We will invest in Windows not only within Windows 10 for PCs but also across many other Windows editions, serving diverse customer needs including Windows IoT, Windows 10 Teams edition for Surface Hub, Windows Server, Windows Mixed Reality on HoloLens, Windows 10 in S mode, Windows 10X and more."