Windows 10Source: Windows Central

What you need to know

  • Windows 10 now has one billion monthly active Windows 10 users globally.
  • There are 80,000 different configurations of devices.
  • Xbox, HoloLens, and IoT devices are included in the one billion device milestone.

Microsoft has today announced that Windows 10 is now in use on over one billion devices across the globe, finally hitting a milestone that it has been striving to achieve ever since Windows 10 first launched back in 2015. Initially, the company wanted to reach a billion devices by 2017, but the death of Windows Phone and the fact that many Windows 7 users didn't take the free upgrade to Windows 10 meant it was unable to reach that goal.

Windows 10 is the number one desktop platform in the world, and has been for some time. It's in use on more devices than Windows 7, which is estimated to have around 300 million users still using it, even after support has ended. Users across 200 different countries are using Windows 10 today on PCs, IoT, HoloLens, Xbox, and Server.

Windows 10x Mock Laptop DarkSource: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central

Microsoft highlights how Windows 10 is changing the face of computing with new and innovative devices such as its own Surface product line. Starting later this year, Windows 10X will launch on a new wave of dual-screen PCs too, all of which will be included under the one billion Windows 10 users' statistic. Surface Hub is also included in this number.

There are over 80,000 different models and configurations of laptops and 2-in-1's that run Windows 10, from over 1,000 different PC manufacturers ranging from Dell to Chuwi. Windows 10 is the only desktop platform that strives on various form factors, and Microsoft is committed to continuing that trend going forward.

Even with a billion devices, Microsoft has had trouble getting developers to build apps using its modern app platform exclusive to Windows 10. Now that Windows 7 is out of support, and Windows 10 has hit a billion, perhaps that will change over the next decade. Microsoft has said before that Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, and so far, it has kept to that claim. The following ten years are going to be very interesting.

What are your thoughts on Windows 10's one billion achievement? Let us know in the comments.