Microsoft surpasses 200 million Windows 8 licences

Microsoft has sold over 200 million Windows 8 licences, as Redmond’s latest operating system gathers market pace.

After passing the 100 million milestone six months after launch, the OS has taken a year to double its sales figures, progress the software giant is evidently pleased about.

"We’ve surpassed 200 million licenses now on Windows 8, which is pretty stunning," said Microsoft’s Tami Reller, speaking at a Goldman Sachs technology conference this week.

Reller claimed Microsoft’s top priority now is to develop more tablet and touch optimised apps, saying: "The number one priority of our developer team is to really get those apps populated. We’ve had some good success, but more to do."