It’s never easy to have people accept change, this is true in politics and it is certainly true in the ecosystem of computing. Since even before it’s scheduled released, Windows 8 has had an upwards battle. How does one exactly tell users to leave a very much beloved OS (in this case Windows 7), a system that follows a formula like user interface that hasn’t really changed since 1995, to learn a new complete revamped console which requires a learning curve?
The truth is, adoption has been lacklustre. You don’t see many Start screens in schools, homes and forget trying to spot it in the corporate environments. In fact, from my own observations, many buy Windows 8 pre-installed laptops and immediately downgrade to Windows 7.
Paul Thurrott is a familiar name in the Windows community, he has made it known that the attitude of Windows 8 doesn’t fall far from the tree. Reportedly, those on the Redmond Microsoft campus have dubbed the latest release “The New Windows Vista”.
To make matters worse, those on the team responsible have been unsatisfied with the results.
Figures have been released and it can only spell bad news for Microsoft who will have to concede that Windows 8, in terms with adoption, is just as bad as Windows Vista. Actually, it’s doing worst, it’s currently the fourth full month since Windows 8.1‘s release and even at this point Vista was selling more.
Of course, there is the bigger picture we must step back and look upon. Vista arrived succeeding Windows XP and its incredibly extensive lifespan, it was becoming dated and users were quick to jump to the new and shiny Aero-powered OS. Meanwhile, Windows 8 is following both XP and 7 which had (and still has) a huge popularity between users.
We at FNX have reported about the ongoing popularity of Windows XP despite it’s scheduled end of support in April, 2014. What we found recently is quite shocking.
The market share of Windows OS’ is continuously shape shifting. The latest figures show how many of Windows versions are being used out there in the real world.
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| Windows version | Current % market share | % Difference from last month |
| 8.1 | 4.30% | up 0.38% |
| 8 | 6.38 % | down 0.25% |
| 7 | 47.31% | down 0.18% |
| Vista | 3.10% | down 0.20% |
| XP | 29.53% | up 0.30% |
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[column_item][image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/WinXPOnMacBookWhite.jpg’ width=’420′ title=’XP holds a strong base.’ align=’right’][/column_item]
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Windows XP has gained popularity in the past month almost as much as Windows 8.1 has. Despite the April 2014 scheduled ‘end of life’ the 2001 released OS is still maintaining a user base.
We can only imagine what the response will be, perhaps it is main article of discussion in Microsoft’s ethics committees… with a user base that large, can you really pull the plug on support of millions?
Perhaps, while designing Windows 9, they take into consideration why XP and Seven remain so popular.
No one wants a Windows Vista/Millennium Edition repeat. It’s time for Microsoft to take a step back, listen to their users and ask the age old question:
What do you want to do today?
