This is according to research firm Strategy Analytics, which said that the firm's sales would be boosted by its partnership with Nokia.
Later this week, Nokia is expected to unveil its first smartphones using Microsoft's Windows Phone software, wireless communication device users may be interested to learn.
Looking to the future, Neil Mawston, an analayst at Strategy Analytics, said: "Due to growing support from leading hardware vendors, particularly Nokia, Microsoft is in a good position to become Western Europe's third major smartphone platform behind Android and Apple iOS next year."
Despite this, Mr Mawston said that it will not be a completely smooth ride for Microsoft.
In particular, he cited a "consumer brand perception of Windows Phone that may have been tainted by the past weaknesses" as one of its biggest challenges.
Posted by Andre Dixon
