Microsoft has sold more than 88 million copies of Windows Vista

by Brad Linder Oct 26th 2007

While many folks recommend waiting for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (or maybe 5) before "upgrading" from Windows XP to Vista, apparently Microsoft has managed to sell a few copies of its latest desktop operating system. In fact, Microsoft reports that it's sold 88 million copies since launching Vista in January.

Microsoft has apparently seen a 20 percent growth in Vista sales for the last three quarters. Microsoft also announced its quarterly earnings yesterday, showing that the company made $13.76 billion, or about 27% more than the same period last year.

So while there's been a lot of talk lately about Ubuntu, Leopard, open source, and web applications, it's worth remembering that Microsoft is still the dominant force in software. The company is projecting revenue of around $59 billion next year.

Tags: microsoft, revenue, windows-vista

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jed said 2:31PM on 10-26-2007

I'd have to ask how many of these are installed ?
I personally have two copies Home Premium and Ultimate , neither of which have lasted longer than a month on my machine ( went back to XP ), I'm willing to try again when SP1 comes out

DJ said 2:31PM on 10-26-2007

The company I am working at is licensed for 1500 copies of Vista. Five of which are installed, but Microsoft counts all 1500 as sales. Enterprise Agreements are wonderful things.

I would be much more interested in the sales figures for stores than in the numbers that Microsoft claims, as that is a true indication of whether or not your existing customer base wants your new OS.

Todd said 2:31PM on 10-26-2007

Sorry - I am calling bullsh*t on those numbers. Redmond refusing to differentiate between pre-installed on OEM machines and single user retail purchases.

If 50 million PCs from the likes of Dell, Hp, etc. are sitting in warehouses around the world collecting dust, they shouldn't be claimed as "sales". OEM are contractually obligated to pre-install Vista.

Prove me wrong Ballmer - have an independent audit performed....oh wait that would show a only a couple million people worldwide have actually bought Vista.

ChicagoBobT said 3:12PM on 10-26-2007

This sounds like a puff piece and slanting the
numbers. I would also bet that this is based on
OEM sales and not retail. Even common Joes are
spitting on Vista and asking for XP back.
Maybe thats some of the sales as well?
What is the estimated userbase and how much has
it grown each quarter? Thats a better question.

ChicagoBobT said 3:15PM on 10-26-2007

michael said 4:57PM on 10-26-2007

Wow. It's great to see all the backlash on these figures Microsoft provides.

As if Apple themselves has never posted any numbers that might be questionable.

Face it people, Vista is a selling success, and as more people adopt Vista, more things are going to work, and the more it gets better.

Does the number of people who use it even matter? Sometimes people are busy, and just don't have the time to bother installing something, or checking on it.

I bet if Apple posted they sold more than 88 million copies, it would be a party for the fanboys. No questions asked.

You people make me laugh. :)

westudi said 8:57PM on 10-26-2007

Since Vista's release I've used a few OSes on different machines ((Vista (both Business and Ultimate), XP, and Ubuntu), and the most stable and efficient system that has given me the fewest headaches has been Vista time and again.

I attribute most of the "problems" with Vista to inepts who have no business judging the OS as they barely know how to operate a mouse. Sure, there have been some driver issues here and there, but they continue to be fixed, and the beta SP for Vista is a fantastic improvement on an already good OS.

In short, stop with the Vista bashing. You come off looking like a little kid that just lost a game and resorts to insults in an effort to make himself look better. It doesn't work.

Hany Hanna said 8:58PM on 10-26-2007

I teach English in Korea and this semester I'm teaching public school teachers how to teach English with multimedia. Some have new laptops with Vista. What a pain in the #$%! As we get faster CPUs and more memory, Microsoft uses it up on unnecessary effects. And now, many things work differently and have to be relearned. It's like a car maker making a new model with a steering wheel you steer with your feet. An upgrade would have been XP without all the BS that slows it down. People who REAllY use computers don't need or want pretty fading windows. We want the power and speed for serious stuff.

Todd said 8:58PM on 10-26-2007

@michael and westudi

Gentlemen, it's nice to see Steve Ballmer's personal goons trolling here in the trenches, welcome.

Apple's number don't come into question since OSx is only available on Apple hardware, purchased through authorized Apple retail outlets.

If Vista is such a resounding "success" why was XP production stopped, then re-instated in response to millions of IT professionals who won't touch Vista with a ten foot blue screen of death?

"Does the number of people who use it even matter?" Whoa. Yes, it matters. Having a contract that forces OEMs and retail outlets to ONLY sell Vista shows the numbers are artificially inflated to hide the largest product failure in history. If Vista is so great, why the gangster style protectionism? Why no compete in a free and level playing field?

And, westudi, I wish this was a "game" but the stakes are too high to treat it that way. Its Ballmer's job to make sure the world NEVER thinks for itself. We should just swallow all the FUD flavored koolaid and be content with low quality, overpriced product that restricts our learning.

I say no thank you, I can think for myself.

Jed said 9:39PM on 10-26-2007

@westudi

I've been using computers since the 80's ( my first taste of windows was 3.1 ) , I don't think i fit into the inept category , the major problems i had where the Harddrive thrashing that was constant and incessant , and some of the programs i would like to use just balked at Vista , i tried and i'm willing to try again when SP1 is out as i stated

i don't think name calling is the way to win this really

westudi said 10:31PM on 10-26-2007

@Jed, I wasn't name calling. That was precisely the gripe I had with the majority of the Vista bashers. I was making an observation based upon my experiences, and I stand by it.

Are there issues that even advanced users like yourself run into? Sure, but I have yet to see a perfect OS on any platform at release or at any point its life-cycle. I have no desire to paint Vista with a rose-tinted brush as I have had an issue or two as well, but I cannot abide others flinging it about in conversation as a monkey flings his own excrement.

Typically, the anti-Vista crowd heralds each flaw regardless of its true degree, and yet turns a blind eye to their favored OS. All I am asking for is a little objective reasoning.

Instead, people like Todd spout on and on behind their anti-Microsoft pulpit when in reality the choice a consumer has for an OS is more diverse than it ever has been. Why bother bashing another OS if you are happy with your own? Talk about your favored OS' virtues, and let those not sold on it make their own decision on what is best for them.

michael said 7:49AM on 10-27-2007

@Todd: I'm a Ballmer goon?

Ballmer means little to Microsoft, and I happen to have a strong dislike for him as well, thank your very much.

Suppose somebody doesn't use OS X on their Mac. You might be surprised, but other people can also use Windows or Linux on their Mac instead of OS X. So how many people actually do use their OS X all the time? Do you know?

Plus OS X is forced on all Mac users. It's practically the Windows monopoly but for Macs. So that's also inconclusive.

Vista starts on a whole new slate. Time has to pass by for more adoption and support, Mr. Know-it-all.

@Jed: That has to do with the hardware - not necessarily Vista.

My copy of Vista run fluidly on my Sony Vaio. Never had a hardware problem at all yet. It works quite fine. Blame ATI, or even your computer maker for running such inferior specs.

So there you have it guys. Vista is good, and getting better.

Reeti Roy said 5:34PM on 11-02-2007

Using Vista Slowed downed my computer:(Using Vista may be raking in the revenues,but how productive will it be in the end?

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