Microsoft approached HTC about a deal that would see Windows Phone installed alongside Android on the company’s devices, “at little or no cost”, according to Bloomberg.

While HTC primarily offers Android devices, but has also offered Windows Phone smartphones, the proposal would have seen it offering products that could run both operating systems.

Presumably the idea behind this is that Android customers would try Windows Phone if it was available as a no-cost option on their device, and the struggling platform could pick up more users in this way.

According to the report, Terry Myerson, Microsoft’s EVP, Operating Systems, approached HTC with the deal, and was prepared to drop the standard Windows Phone licensing fee to make it more appealing.

Talks were only said to have been at the preliminary stages. However, it was also reported that Myerson has a meeting with HTC scheduled this month.

Bloomberg also said that Microsoft is still trying to sign-up partners for Windows Phone, despite the company’s pending deal to acquire Nokia’s handset unit.

While HTC has offered several devices powered by Windows Phone – and indeed its roots were as a maker of Windows Mobile handhelds – it was reported earlier this year that the company’s attitude toward the Microsoft platform had cooled.

With the company struggling on the back of falling devices sales, focusing its efforts on one platform rather than supporting two product lines seemed a sensible move – although HTC has not officially confirmed this is the case.