Windows 10 is the second most popular desktop operating system (OS) in the world after Windows 7. A study revealed that the OS, which was launched in late July 2015, has managed to surpass Windows XP in just over six months.

Netmarketshare figures from January 2016 reveal that the latest version of the Windows operating system runs on 11.85 percent of PCs globally as compared to Windows XP which is running on 11.42 percent of machines.

The latest Windows OS has also taken over Windows 8.1, which has a 10.4 percent share in the total worldwide PC market. However, with around 780 million users globally and a 52 percent market share, Windows 7 is still the dominant operating system, reports Business Insider Australia.

A Gartner report published in November 2015 predicted that Windows 10 will become the “most widely installed version of Windows ever.” The report also mentions that by January 2017, 50 percent of enterprises will have Windows 10 deployed on their machines. This implementation will be faster than that of Windows 7 six years back.

In early January, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 is running on 200 million devices around the world. The company also revealed that the latest version on Windows OS is the fastest growing version of Windows ever.

Since its launch, Microsoft offered a free upgrade to Windows 10 for all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users with valid license. The company will offer Windows 10 for free until July 26, 2016.

Microsoft aims to reach out to 1 billion users by 2018. The company is believed to release a major update this year, called Windows 10 Redstone update for both Windows 10 desktops and Windows 10 Mobile devices. The update will be rolled out in two phases spanning from June to December 2016.

The Windows 10 Redstone update will bring in new features like home screen in landscape mode, upgraded Action Centre, improvements in native apps, enhancement of overall apps user experience and a more powerful Cortana.

RELATED STORIES