Microsoft analysts were abuzz at the end of 2006 and projected that over 90 million copies of Windows Vista would ship in 2007 which would cross the previous 67 million copies of Windows XP shipped during its first year on the market.

Due to slow initial sales of Windows Vista, Microsoft is saying that the analysts were “overly aggressive” with their sales projections.
Vista sales are off 60% compared to the 2001 launch of Windows XP. Revenue is also down by 23% so far with Vista’s launch. This has adversely affected Microsoft.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stressed on the point that piracy is the reason why Vista’s sales have fallen. As a result, Ballmer feels that Microsoft must step up its antipiracy efforts to protect Vista sales worldwide.

Ballmer also added saying,”Piracy reduction can be a source of Windows revenue growth, and I think we’ll make some piracy improvements this year. We will have strong growth in the Windows business in emerging markets: China, India, Brazil, Russia and many others. Those markets are very high in piracy.”

Lets watch and see how Microsoft’s goes about reducing piracy and increasing sales.