Microsoft shifts 350 million Windows 7 licences

Software giant reveals 18-month sales figures for its flagship operating system

Software giant Microsoft has sold more than 350 million Windows 7 licences during the operating system's first 18 months on sale.

The vendor confirmed the sales figures in a blog post dated last Friday. These figures show the firm has shifted 110 million licences in the past six months alone, after Microsoft revealed first-year sales of 240 million back in November.

"We are pleased to announce that Windows 7 has sold more than 350 million licences," the blog post stated. "The momentum we've seen and continue to see with Windows 7 is incredible."

Citing figures from analyst house IDC, Microsoft said that more than 90 per cent of businesses are in the throes of adopting the operating system.

The vendor also claims that companies that migrate to Windows 7 save an average of $140 per PC per year and achieve a 131 per cent return on investment within the first 12 months.

"Number of licences sold is one way of looking at market success," the blog continued. "Customers having a positive and productive experience with Windows 7 is also an important measure."