Windows is close to being installed by default on all the netbook computers that ship with an operating system in the U.S., Microsoft revealed. The Redmond company is in fact counting on the upcoming release of the Windows client to put it at 100%. Brandon LeBlanc, Windows Communications Manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, citing data provided by NPD, revealed that no less than 98% of all the “small notebook PCs” (as Microsoft insists calling netbooks) sold through retail channels in the US are shipping with Windows, and not with Linux.

“I think it’s important to note that all of this momentum is happening before Windows 7 is even out! When Windows 7 does arrive (and brings slick new stuff like HomeGroup, Aero Peek/Snap, PlayTo and Remote Media Streaming, Windows Media Center that lets you watch and record TV, and more), I think the demand for Windows on these devices will increase even more,” LeBlanc stated.

Earlier this year, the Redmond company indicated that at just one year since it started offering Windows for netbooks, it grabs the vast majority of the market with no problems. Between February 2008 and February 2009, Windows on netbooks grew from a share of just 10% to 96%. LeBlanc was little shy of advertising the recent move from UK electronics retailer PC world, that it was de-assorting all Linux netbooks and focusing exclusively on Windows. According to Microsoft, this tacltic is not the exception, but rather the rule, a general trend that ultimately is to give the entire netbook market to Microsoft, especially following the advent of Windows 7.

“Despite initial hype that netbooks would move more users onto the Linux platform, Microsoft has emerged as the preferred operating system because Windows makes it easier to share content, and provides customers with a simpler, more familiar computing experience on the move,” explained Jeremy Fennell, Category Director at PC World. Microsoft is currently offering just Windows XP for netbooks, as the system requirements of Windows Vista make it unfit for the limited hardware resources of small notebook PCs. The same will not be valid for Windows 7. The Redmond company promised since February 2009 that all the editions of Windows 7 will play nice on netbooks.