Microsoft’s Windows 10 Now Has 270,000,000 ‘Active Users’

8 months after launch, people are still signing up at a faster than originally anticipated rate

Microsoft have revealed some of its latest figures in regard to the number of users who have either bought a new Windows 10 based PC, or have upgraded to the flagship Operating System.

Since its launch way back in July last year, over 270 million users now have Windows 10 running on their machines. According to Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, in the 8 months that have followed, Windows 10 adoption has managed to outpace Windows 7 by a massive 145%.

Vice President of Windows and Devices group, Terry Myerson said:

“People are spending more time on Windows than ever before – over 75 billion hours – with the highest customer satisfaction of any version of Windows…. We are on track to reach our ambitious goal of one billion Windows 10 devices in the next few years. We welcome everyone to Windows 10, whether you have a new PC, a five-year-old PC, or a brand new Mac – we are building the most secure, productive, and fun platform for you.”

The successful growth of Windows 10 was not the only news released last week however. Several other, somewhat lower key developments and future updates were revealed:

“Windows Hello” is to bring Biometric Security to Apps and Microsoft Edge

Myerson pointed to the fact that “over 80% of people use the same password across multiple web sites, managing around 20-30 different accounts requiring passwords.” 

A forthcoming update to Windows 10 will apparently make Edge the first browser to “natively support biometrics, with supporting sites.”

There was also a plug for Cortana, the older, wiser sister of Microsoft’s AI racist chatbot, Tay.  

Cortana is to get its own section in the Windows Store so users will be able to see all the Cortana enabled apps in the one place. Cortana will also start to make suggestions for users.  Hopefully this new addition won’t have users googling how to uninstall her.