14 DAY TRIAL // Fuelled by the strong momentum of its latest iteration of the Windows client, the fastest selling operating system in history, Microsoft has reported revenue of $14.5 billion for the third quarter of the 2010 Fiscal Year. According to statistics released by the Redmond company, in excess of 100 million copies of Windows 7 have already been sold worldwide, just six months after the platform’s GA deadline (October 22nd, 2009). The $14.50-billion revenue for Q3 2010 translates into an increase of 6% compared with Q3 2009.
“Windows 7 continues to be a growth engine, but we also saw strong growth in other areas like Bing search, Xbox LIVE and our emerging cloud services,” Peter Klein, chief financial officer at Microsoft, said. “Our record third-quarter revenue along with continued rigor on cost management resulted in exceptional EPS growth.”
With Windows 7 having passed the 100-million-sold-license mark, the OS is now installed on over 10% of all PCs worldwide. After it was launched, forecasts for the operating system’s success estimated sales of 300 million copies by the end of 2010. Statistics from Internet metrics company Net Applications indicate that, as of March 2010, Windows 7 accounted for a 10.23% market share. Windows Vista’s successor has managed to boost Windows revenue up 28% this past quarter over the same period a year earlier.
Microsoft reported $5.17 billion in operating income (up 17%), $4.01 billion in net income (up 35%) and diluted earnings per share of $0.45 (up 36%). However, not counting the $305-million deferral associated with the Microsoft Office 2010 Technology Guarantee program, Microsoft’s third-quarter revenue would have been of $14.81 billion, no less than 8% more than in Q3 2009.
“Business customers are beginning to refresh their desktops and the momentum of Windows 7 continues to be strong,” Kevin Turner, chief operating officer, added. “We are also seeing tremendous interest in our market-leading cloud services for business.”
Microsoft Windows 7 90-Day Eval VHD is available for download here.
Another Windows 7 RTM Enterprise 90-Day Evaluation is available for download here.