Microsoft wants Windows 10 on 1 billion devices in just three years

Microsoft expects big things from its upcoming Windows 10 operating system, and stated an ambitious goal of what can be expected over the next few years: 1 billion Windows 10 devices within three years. Windows 10 will be released "this summer," but followup details were not released during the keynote.

The so-called "new generation of Windows... built for this era of more personal computing," as noted by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, has a little bit of something for everyone. Unlike the disaster that was Windows 8/8.1 and its mobile versions, Windows 10 is designed as a single platform for PCs, notebooks, tablets, smartphones, and other devices.

"Within two to three years of Windows 10's release, there will be 1 billion devices running Windows 10," said Terry Myerson, VP of operating systems at Microsoft, during the Build developer conference keynote. It's a highly ambitious goal for Microsoft, which will require the company to convince consumers and business users to migrate - which could be a neat challenge.