Windows Tops 1.6B Devices and Bing Reaches 1B Users—Microsoft’s Next Consumer Push

Microsoft’s fiscal third-quarter earnings call on April 29, 2026, delivered two striking milestones: Windows now commands more than 1.6 billion monthly active devices, and Bing has crossed the 1 billion monthly active user threshold for the first time. The numbers underscore a consumer ecosystem that is expanding in both reach and intelligence, fueled by a relentless push into AI.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, framed the figures as validation of the company’s “AI-first” strategy. Windows, the decades-old operating system, now powers a device base that dwarfs most competitors’ ecosystems. Bing, once an afterthought in search, has transformed into a growth engine. Together, they signal a reinvigorated consumer push that rivals Apple and Google in scale.

Windows: From 1 Billion to 1.6 Billion Active Devices

In March 2020, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 had surpassed 1 billion monthly active devices. Six years later, the cumulative active device base across all Windows versions has grown by 60%. The 1.6 billion figure includes PCs, laptops, tablets, and other devices running Windows 10, Windows 11, and older releases still in service.

Windows 11, launched in late 2021, faced a slow initial adoption due to strict hardware requirements. The end of Windows 10 support in October 2025 changed the equation. Enterprises and consumers hurried to upgrade, and the PC refresh cycle accelerated. Now, Windows 11 likely accounts for the majority of that 1.6 billion, with its own monthly active device count comfortably above the billion mark.

This growth isn’t just about license sales. Windows acts as the entry point for Microsoft’s broader services—Edge, Bing, Copilot, Microsoft 365, and Xbox. Every new device expands the addressable market for these connected services. On the earnings call, Microsoft highlighted that Windows revenue from OEMs grew by 8% year-over-year, driven by both consumer and commercial segments. The surge in AI-capable PCs, branded as “Copilot+ PCs,” is also pushing average selling prices higher.

A quick historical look charts Windows’ device growth:

The jump reflects not only Windows 11’s success but also the longevity of Windows 10, which still runs on hundreds of millions of devices. Microsoft’s commitment to security updates and a gradual migration helped retain that base.

Bing’s AI-Fueled Leap to 1 Billion Users

Bing hitting 1 billion monthly active users is the day’s bigger surprise. For years, Google dominated search with over 80% market share, and Bing’s user base languished. The integration of generative AI in early 2023—first with Bing Chat, then rebranded as Copilot—changed everything.

Nadella once called AI-powered search the “biggest thing to happen to search in 20 years.” The numbers now back that claim. Bing’s new AI capabilities, including visual search, multi-turn conversations, and deep integration with Copilot across Microsoft 365 and Edge, turned it into a destination for productivity rather than just a list of links.

The 1 billion figure represents users who actively engage with Bing across all platforms—on the web, through the mobile app, or via the Edge browser and Windows Search. Copilot’s ability to answer complex queries, generate content, and perform tasks directly in the browser sidebar has eroded Google’s hold on habitual search behavior.

Microsoft also credits its “Bing for Business” initiative, which brings enterprise-grade search and AI to corporate environments, and the bundling of Bing as the default search engine in Edge. The browser’s rising market share—now over 15% globally on desktop—provides a steady funnel of users.

Edge: The Quiet Engine Behind the Numbers

Microsoft Edge is the unsung hero tying Windows, Bing, and Copilot together. Edge became the default browser for Windows 10 and 11, but its real growth spurt came with the Chromium rebuild and aggressive AI integration. The sidebar Copilot panel, built into every Edge window, gives users instant access to AI without leaving the page.

During the earnings call, Microsoft noted that Edge users engage with Bing and Copilot at significantly higher rates than non-Edge users. The browser’s market share has doubled since 2022, and on mobile, Edge is now pre-installed on many Android devices as part of Microsoft’s agreements with OEMs. While Microsoft does not break out individual user numbers for Edge, the symbiotic relationship between Edge, Bing, and Copilot is undeniable.

The AI and PC Strategy Convergence

The 1.6 billion Windows devices and 1 billion Bing users aren’t just vanity metrics. They are the foundation for Microsoft’s consumer AI strategy. With Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft is betting that AI features will become a primary reason to buy a new PC. Features like Recall, AI-powered Windows Studio Effects, and natural language search across the entire OS are exclusive to Copilot+ PCs.

These devices require a neural processing unit (NPU) with at least 40 TOPS of performance. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, Intel’s Lunar Lake, and AMD’s Ryzen AI chips all meet this bar. Microsoft is working with manufacturers to flood the market with AI-optimized laptops starting at $999, aiming to convert a significant portion of the installed base by 2027.

On the services side, Microsoft 365 subscriptions—which include access to Copilot Pro for advanced AI—continue to climb. Every new Windows device is a potential touchpoint for selling these subscriptions. The earnings call revealed that consumer Microsoft 365 subscribers grew by 12% year-over-year to 85 million, and the attach rate of Copilot Pro on new Copilot+ PCs exceeded 30% in the first quarter of availability.

Competition and Challenges

Despite the rosy numbers, Microsoft faces formidable challenges. Google isn’t standing still; it has embedded Gemini into its search engine, Android, and Chrome. Google’s search market share remains above 80%, though the erosion is becoming noticeable—especially among users under 35 who prefer conversational AI.

Apple’s ecosystem exerts a powerful pull in the premium PC segment. The Mac continues to outpace the PC industry in growth, and Apple Intelligence, built into iOS and macOS, competes directly with Copilot. Microsoft must also navigate regulatory scrutiny in the EU and the US over bundling practices with Edge and Bing.

Then there’s the retention question. Many Bing users were likely attracted by novelty or the promise of free AI. Converting that massive base into loyal, revenue-generating users is a multi-year effort. The search advertising business, which still powers the bulk of Bing’s revenue, must evolve to serve AI-native experiences without alienating users.

What’s Next?

Microsoft’s fiscal third-quarter performance sets the stage for an ambitious second half of 2026. The next major Windows update, code-named Hudson Valley, is expected to drop in October, bringing even deeper AI integration and a redesigned shell. Rumors point to a new Copilot button that replaces the Start menu as the primary interaction model.

On the Bing side, the company is testing AI agents that can independently plan and book travel, manage calendars, and handle complex research tasks. Microsoft is also expanding Copilot’s availability to third-party browsers, aiming to capture users who prefer Chrome or Firefox.

The 1.6 billion Windows devices and 1 billion Bing users are more than milestones—they’re the launchpad for Microsoft’s most aggressive consumer offensive since the launch of Windows 95. The battle for the AI-powered future has moved from hype to measurable metrics, and Microsoft just posted two numbers that are impossible to ignore.