Windows 8 hits 100 million licenses sold

Microsoft has now sold over 100 million Windows 8 licenses, the company announced today in an official blog post to its website. This figure includes licenses that ship on new tablets and PCs, as well as upgrades to Windows 8. It is up from 60 million announced in January.

In addition, Windows chief marketing officer and chief financial officer Tami Reller revealed that the number of Windows 8 and Windows RT certified devices has jumped to 2,400.

Also in the blog post, Reller said consumer feedback will shape the future of Windows 8. She revealed Windows Blue, a codename for an update to the OS that will be available later in 2013.

In addition to introducing various performance updates and new options, Windows Blue will make changes based on input Microsoft has received from customers.

"The Windows Blue update is also an opportunity for us to respond to the customer feedback that we've been closely listening to since the launch of Windows 8 and Windows RT," Reller said.

This new update is rumored to mark the return of the Windows Start button and a boot-to-desktop option, which will allow users to bypass the Windows 8 Metro interface altogether.

Windows 8 launched in October. GameSpot sister site CNET found that the operating system "embraces the future wholeheartedly," but said the learning curve was "steep" and in-app navigation can be difficult.