14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft puts all hopes on Windows 10 as far as its plans to maintain its desktop domination and expand into the mobile sector are concerned, but analysts around the world are skeptical that the company would manage to convince users to switch.
Back in 2012, when Microsoft officially introduced Windows 8, most people switched to Windows 7 in order to avoid the confusion that the new OS created.
And now that Windows 10 is ready to hit the market, Windows 7 will continue to remain the number one alternative for those who aren't satisfied with the modern OS, Richard Edward, principal analyst, Enterprise Mobility & Productivity at Ovum, explains.
Microsoft must give users a reason to upgrade, he says, adding that today's press event is critical to the long-term success of the new operating system.
“It won't be easy for Microsoft”
The analyst believes that Microsoft's most difficult mission will be to convince users to upgrade, so the company must make the most of press events such as the one taking place today.
“Ovum believes that getting Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 10 is not going to be easy, as there are two distinct yet interconnected markets to engage - the consumer and the business user - and each presents Microsoft with a different set of challenges and opportunities vis-a-vis Windows 7, 8, and 10,” the analyst adds.
“Ovum's research data indicates that businesses and institutions will continue to deploy Windows 7 for the time being, even though ‘mainstream support’ came to an end last week. ‘Extended support’ for Windows 7 runs through to January 2020, so there's no compelling reason for organizations to make the upgrade unless Microsoft presents one on Wednesday.”
Windows 10 is an operating system that comes to address many of the annoyances of Windows 8 and retains the familiar features of Windows 7, while also adding new ones based on users' requests.
This is actually part of Microsoft's new strategy to bring more users on board, as its new Insider programs have been designed to create a stronger connection with customers.
Many of the features that will be part of Windows 10 will indeed be based on suggestions coming from users and that should make Microsoft's mission to convince users to upgrade more a bit easier, but there are many other factors that need to be considered, so it remains to be seen if the new OS can indeed be the product that gives modern Windows a chance to succeed or not.