Image used with permission by copyright holderWindows 10 is projected to reach 24 percent of the world’s PC market share before the end of 2016, according to stats from Netmarketshare.

　　Windows 10 stands at 23.72 percent market share, while Windows 7 is still very popular at 47.17 percent. Windows is up 1 percent over previous figures while Windows 7 is down 1 percent, so the Redmond, Washington-based tech giant will be hoping that the trend continues. Windows 8/8.1 has diminished quite a bit.

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　　The growth of Microsoft’s newest operating system occurred primarily during the first half of the year when free upgrades were available. That offer ended in July, and the OS experienced a dip in September and October, but it now looks like it is back on track.

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　　NetmarketshareThe company’s goal is to have 1 billion users by 2020, with the ultimate dream of having Windows 10 running on all devices.

　　At this point, it will have to rely on new PC sales to boost the number of windows 10 users now that free upgrades have ended and there still seems to be a sizable number of users content with Windows 7. With four weeks left in the year, we can assume that Microsoft will hit the 24 percent figure for Windows 10 by the time the newest figures emerge in January.

　　Interestingly, Windows XP is still maintaining a relatively decent foothold in market share at 8.63 percent despite support for the once-very popular OS being discontinued. The OS is still used by some enterprises and governments who all pay extra for support.

　　Various Mac OS versions are lagging well behind, each with less than 10 percent of market share.