Microsoft says Windows 10 will miss 2018 1bn install base target

Last year, Microsoft said that it aimed to have Windows 10 on 1bn devices by 2018 – now the firm has tempered its expectations for the operating system.

In a statement to ZDNet, the firm said that Windows 10 was off to the ‘hottest start in history’, citing high levels of engagement. However, it will no longer hit its 1bn goal by 2018.

Windows 10 is off to the hottest start in history with over 350m monthly active devices, with record customer satisfaction and engagement,” said a Microsoft spokesperson.

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."

Windows 10 launched in July 2015 and at the start of 2016, it had been installed on 200m devices.

The software has become core to Xbox’s games strategy, with the firm releasing a number of its previous console exclusives on the platform. This was part of its UWP programme, too.

Meanwhile, at E3 it announced the Play Anywhere scheme, which would let consumers buy a game once and be able to play it on both Xbox One and Windows 10.

Initially, this was to include all first-party games going forward but Microsoft has since revealed only games showed off on-stage at E3 2016 will be part of the scheme.