Windows
PC operating system
Microsoft's operating system for PCs, licensed to computer makers and businesses and preinstalled on most of the world's laptops and desktops.
PC operating systemSince 1985
How it started
Built on top of MS-DOS.
1985the year it started
Microsoft shipped the first retail version of Windows in November 1985 as a graphical layer extending its MS-DOS system.
How big it is
How big is Windows?
$17.1BWindows and Devices revenueFY2026
1.6B+Monthly active Windows devicesQ3 FY2026
Its place in Microsoft
One in twenty Microsoft dollars.
Windows is the platform for Microsoft's PC software and services, from Microsoft 365 to Copilot and Xbox on PC.
Who it competes with
mmacOSCChromeOSLLinux
What Microsoft does not disclose
- Windows revenue on its own (Windows OEM is reported with Surface as Windows and Devices; Windows Commercial sits inside Microsoft 365 Commercial)
- Windows operating income
- Windows licenses sold
The group behind itMicrosoft
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Sources
Every number on this page comes from Microsoft's own reports.
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