Windows 8 sales surpass the 200 million mark

Microsoft insists momentum is still strong as OS finally hits 10 per cent market share

Microsoft has announced it has sold 200 million Windows 8 licences since the divisive operating system was launched in 2012.

Since it hit the market, Windows 8 has endured a mixed reception from users, many criticising its very different user interface, particularly the lack of a Start button.

The software giant launched Windows 8.1 last year to address some of the complaints and, according to its latest statistics, the two combined grabbed market share of about 10 per cent in December.

Despite finally gaining double-digit market share, its predecessor Windows 7 remains the most popular OS. Even Windows XP upped its share last month, despite the fact that Microsoft is pulling support for it in April.

At Goldman Sachs' Technology and Internet Conference, Microsoft's executive vice president for marketing Tami Reller said since its launch, some 200 million Windows 8 licences have been sold.

The number includes Windows licences shipped on new tablets and PCs, as well as upgrades to Windows 8. Volume licence sales to enterprise firms were not included in the figure.

In a statement, Microsoft said the future is bright for Windows 8.

"Windows 8 has surpassed 200 million licences sold, and we continue to see momentum," it said. "Windows is a central part of life for more than 1.5 billion people around the world, and we are looking forward to the future."