The last time Microsoft provided us with any information regarding the number of Windows 10 devices was back in March, when it surpassed the 800 million mark. During the Build developer event, however, Paul Thurrott from Thurrott.com got access to documentation with more recent information in that regard.
According to those documents, Windows 10 is now active on 825 million devices, a notable increase over the 800 million announced two months ago. Usage numbers were also revealed for some of Microsoft"s apps. The Edge browser for Android and iOS has been downloaded a total of 4.5 million times, and Microsoft Launcher has over four million users. Meanwhile, SwiftKey, which was already fairly popular prior to its acquisition by Microsoft, has a total of 159 million active users.
Additionally, Thurrot learned a bit more about the structure of Microsoft"s organization, specifically around Windows, which has been without a known leader since Terry Myerson stepped down last year. Microsoft has made Eran Megiddo Corporate Vice President for Windows and Education, but he will report to Joe Belfiore, so the position isn"t exactly the same as the one held by Myerson.
Under the leadership of Megiddo, the Windows team has set three goals - to create clarity around Microsoft’s strategy for the OS, better manage cross-devices experiences between Windows and mobile, and continue pushing Windows in the education market. Google"s Chrome OS is gaining popularity in that segment, so it makes sense that Microsoft wants to put up a fight.
Since its launch, Windows 10 hasn"t quite grown at the pace Microsoft originally hoped it would, as the company originally targeted one billion users in the three years following the initial release. However, growth has been steady, and Microsoft is inching closer to that number, and the new leadership could be a good step in that direction.