Microsoft’s profits slipped slightly in the final quarter of last year as weak PC market hit the software giant’s core Windows business.

During the three months to the end of December 2011, Microsoft pocketed a net profit of $6.624 billion (£4.27 billion), slightly down from $6.634 billion in the previous quarter.

Total revenue jumped 5 per cent to settle at $20.89 billion, but revenue generated by Windows division slipped 6.1 per cent to $4.74 billion.

The Windows accounted for just 22.7 per cent of Microsoft’s total revenue. It was Windows lowest share in the company’s revenue since the third quarter of 2009. The three months to December 31 marked the fifth consecutive quarter of negative revenue growth for the Windows division.

In late 2009, Windows accounted for 36.3 per cent of the company’s total revenue.

But, the company said it delivered robust financial results for the concerned three-month period.

Speaking on the topic, Microsoft CFO Peter Klein said, “We saw strong demand for our business products and services, despite the soft PC market and continuing economic uncertainty in key parts of the world.”

Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices arm reported the steepest increase in revenue. It generated $4.24 billion in revenue, up 15 per cent from the previous quarter.