If you‘re reading this on a laptop or desktop, chances are you‘re using Microsoft Windows. This ubiquitous operating system has been around for nearly 40 years and still dominates the PC landscape. But how many people actually use Windows in 2023? What does the future look like for this OS? Let‘s dive in!
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Windows by the Numbers
As of June 2022, Windows holds a 76% global market share for desktop, laptop, and workstation operating systems. This includes both Windows 10 and the newer Windows 11.
While that percentage used to be over 90% in Windows‘ heyday, it‘s still a decisive majority of the PC OS market. For context, the second place OS is Apple‘s macOS at around 15%.
In real numbers, Microsoft announced there were roughly 1.4 billion monthly active Windows devices as of January 2022. Even with the retirement of Windows 7 in 2020, estimates suggest 200+ million PCs still run older Windows versions (mostly Windows 7).
That puts the total Windows installed base at an impressive 1.6+ billion devices globally! For comparison, Android ships on over 2 billion active devices including smartphones, while Apple‘s combined macOS, iOS, iPadOS and other OS likely total around 1.5 billion devices.
So Windows remains in very strong shape, though growth has slowed as mobile devices like smartphones and tablets take on more computing tasks traditionally done on PCs.
A Brief History of Windows
Let‘s rewind for a minute and go back to where this all started…
Microsoft launched the first version of Windows in 1985. Windows 1.0 provided a graphical user interface and could run applications like Paint, Notepad, Calculator and an early File Manager.
Over the next decade, Windows rapidly evolved with new versions adding color support, the taskbar, Start menu, improved gaming/multimedia features and more. Windows 95 and 98 introduced many users like myself to Windows in the late 90s.
But it was Windows XP in 2001 that really propelled Windows into the mass market. XP combined the stability of Windows 2000 with a friendly, colorful interface. It became one of Microsoft‘s most popular operating systems ever.
After the disappointment of Windows Vista in 2007, Windows 7 re-captured that magic in 2009. It remained the dominant Windows version for years until Windows 10 arrived in 2015.
The Fall and Rise of Windows
Ah Windows 8. What happened there? This ambitious but flawed attempt to bridge tablets and PCs in 2012 put off many users with its steep learning curve.
Within a few years Windows 8‘s market share plummeted as unhappy users reverted to Windows 7. But out of the ashes, Windows 10 rose to glory when it launched in mid-2015.
The free upgrade offer to Windows 7/8 users kickstarted rapid adoption. Smooth, familiar, yet modern – Windows 10 was what Windows 8 should have been.
By late 2019 over 75% of Windows PCs ran Windows 10. Today, most Windows devices still run "the last Windows" with Windows 11 slowly gaining ground.
What‘s New in Windows 11?
So what‘s changed in the latest Windows? Windows 11 sports a cleaner visual design with rounded corners, new built-in apps and a centered Start menu and taskbar.
Under the hood, security has been beefed up too with tighter app containerization and hardware-backed protections like Trusted Platform Module (TPM).
Gaming gets a boost with the integrated Xbox app and Auto HDR. And Windows 11 improves touchscreen usability for 2-in-1 laptops with tablet modes.
For business users, features like Teams integration, enhanced virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and multi-monitor support power productivity.
Overall Windows 11 feels like a refinement of Windows 10, with dozens of improvements across the user interface and user experience. It sets up Windows for the next decade or more of PC computing.
The Future of Windows
What does the future look like for Microsoft‘s venerable OS? Windows will likely retain its dominance of the traditional PC space it helped define. But growth could continue slowing.
For consumers, smartphones and tablets running iOS or Android capture more and more casual computing tasks. However, Windows remains supreme for creators and power users.
In the business world, increasing remote work and demand for flexible devices favor Windows PCs and laptops. Windows also powers most corporate desktops thanks to IT ecosystem lock-in.
New form factors like dual-screen devices could expand Windows‘ reach if adoption takes off. And cloud-streamed Windows 365 sessions can deliver the full Windows experience to any device.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is investing heavily in services like Office 365, Teams, Xbox Cloud Gaming and more to keep Windows at the center of our digital lives across devices.
Windows‘ Decline on Mobile
However, there is one area Windows has conspicuously failed – mobile. Various Windows Mobile and Windows Phone editions over the years never took off outside a small niche.
Inability to attract developers to build apps coupled with design inconsistencies meant Windows phones couldn‘t compete with iOS and Android. Microsoft eventually threw in the towel in 2017.
Windows on mobile is now dead, with sub 1% market share. Microsoft has turned to bundling Android with Microsoft software and services instead. This allows Microsoft to focus on its strengths – productivity, gaming and the PC environment.
Conclusion: Windows Reigns on PCs
Windows has come a long way from its primitive origins to become a powerful and polished operating system. Its long-running dominance for desktop computing owes much to Bill Gates‘ foresight around the GUI and partnering early with PC manufacturers.
While no longer the only game in town, Windows still reigns supreme on over 1.6 billion PCs around the world. With Windows 11, Microsoft has laid the foundation for the next generation of Windows computing.
The challengers have awakened – but for businesses and power users alike, Windows remains the comfortable old friend we‘ve grown up with for decades. Its familiarity and ecosystem integration will continue driving enterprise and consumer preference into the future.
So how many people use Windows in 2023? More than ever in its history – but PCs now share the computing spotlight with billions of smartphones beyond Microsoft‘s grasp. Regardless, Windows 11 makes it feel like Windows is only just getting started in its fourth decade.
