At the Microsoft Build 2016 developer conference, CEO Satya Nadella described Windows 10 as "the fastest growing version of Windows for both consumers and businesses," and Terry Myerson, executive vice president of the Windows Team, added that "Windows 10 will be the fastest release ever." This title was previously held by Windows 7.
But can this comparison be made? There are too many factors that help promote Windows 10, such as free mood. So Windows 10 managed to get over 300 million devices about 6 months earlier than Windows 7 did.
But before we get to the auxiliaries, let's take a look at the exact timing.
Windows 7 took 462 days (from 22 October 2009 to 27 January 2011), or about 15 months to install 300 million devices. Windows 10 took 281 days (from 29 July 2015 to 5 May 2016), or about nine months. This means that Windows 10 took 181 less days, or about six months.
Here's the progress of the new functional facilities on a chart:
As you can see, the installations for Windows 7 and Windows 8 were almost identical for the first six months, although it quickly became clear that Windows 8 did not sell as fast as 7. Windows 10 seems to be always ahead of both previous ones, and their growth trend is impressive.
But why did Windows 10 overtake the previous ones?
- Windows 10, as mentioned above, is available as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 owners during the first year. That's why Microsoft counts "active devices" with Windows 10, not "license sales."
- Microsoft also counts phones running Windows 10 Mobile (both purchased and upgraded) in the total. The total number also includes Xbox One, τα Surface, και οι συσκευές HoloLens.
- Finally, as with every Windows release, there are more computers in the world. The number of devices has increased, so the potential number of devices that can run Windows 10 is greater than it was in Windows 7 days.
Here we should mention that Windows 10 is one service. This means they will be regularly updated with not only fixes, but also new features. Windows 10 was developed in a very different way than its predecessors, and is still under development.
For these reasons, and because Windows is still vital for the company, Microsoft is pushing very aggressively to adopt Window 10.
But as we know, it doesn't exist software which is perfect, and there are many reasons why someone might not want to upgrade. However, some users have reported that their computers were upgraded without it permission their. While the company continues to praise the new, more secure software that comes for free. But the reality is that it can't satisfy everyone, even with a free upgrade.
The real bet for Microsoft will retain the adoption of Windows 10 when the free upgrade offer expires. The company reiterated today that users of Windows 7 and 8.1 have only three months (29 July of 2016 is the last day) for the free upgrade, and then the prices will be at 119 dollars for Home Edition, and 199 for the Pro version.
However, we will not be surprised if Microsoft expands its offer. If it does not, the company's goal of installing Windows 10 on 1 billion devices "in two to three years" risks not being realized. Nearly a third of the goal has been achieved in nine of the 36 months. But if that slows down, Microsoft will have to expand its offering.
