Windows 10 Won't Reach 1 Billion Downloads as Fast as Expected, Microsoft Admits

In Apil 2015, Microsoft said it was aiming to have 1 billion devices running Windows 10 by 2018. Now, the company is walking back that projection, saying that it needs more time to reach that major milestone. 

In a statement to GameSpot sister site ZDNet, Microsoft reiterated that Windows 10 is "off to the hottest start in history," but 1 billion devices by mid-2018 is no longer a realistic target. 

"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," Microsoft said. "In the year ahead, we are excited about usage growth coming from commercial deployments and new devices--and increasing customer delight with Windows."

By Microsoft's latest count, which came at the end of June 2016, Windows 10 had been installed on 350 million devices.  

Microsoft Windows and Devices executive Terry Myerson offered up the 1 billion claim at the company's Build conference in 2015. The figure encompasses downloads across PC, tablets, Xbox One, HoloLens, and more. Though the majority of downloads were expected across PC and tablets, Windows Phones were also expected to contribute to the 1 billion goal. 

However...

"Since April 2015, the bottom has fallen out of the Windows Phone market, with Microsoft officials conceding that Windows Phone isn't much of a focus for Microsoft in calendar 2016," ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley wrote. 

The Xbox One is considered a Windows 10 device as of November 2015, as that's when the New Xbox One Experience update introduced it as the console's underlying OS. 

Go to ZDNet to get the full story and all the context. 

In other news about Windows 10, you have until July 29 to take advantage of Microsoft's free upgrade offer.