14 DAY TRIAL // While all eyes are on Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, as Microsoft continues work on its modern platform, Windows 7 continues its growth, mostly thanks to the familiar desktop environment that makes it the perfect choice for PC users.
Figures provided by market researcher StatCounter for the month of November 2014 reveal that, while adoption of Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 increased a little bit in the last 30 days, Windows 7 is the big winner, as its market share reached a record 55.75 percent.
This means that more than 1 in 2 computers are now powered by Windows 7, which was launched in 2009 and will continue receiving support until 2020.
Continuously increasing market share
Windows 7, which remains the world's number one operating system on the desktop, keeps increasing its market share every month, mostly thanks to the fact that more Windows XP users jump ship and look for another platform that provides better security but retains the familiar working environment.
There's no doubt that Windows 7 was the big winner after the confusion created by Windows 8 and the removal of the Start menu/introduction of the Start screen, as many users downgraded in search for a friendlier platform that doesn't affect productivity on the desktop.
Since the release of Windows 8 in October 2012, Windows 7 has gained new users pretty much every single month, mostly because those who installed the modern operating system were not satisfied with the changes that Microsoft made to the desktop.
Windows 8.1 currently has a market share of 12.12 percent, followed by Windows XP with 11.84 percent, and Mac OS X with 8.98 percent. Windows 8, which is the original modern OS version, is next with 5.42 percent.
Windows 10 on its way
Microsoft is already working on Windows 10, the next version of the operating system that's expected to launch in mid-2015.
Users who want to give it a try can always download the Technical Preview available as part of the Windows Insider Program, but bugs and performance issues should obviously be expected since this is an unfinished product that's specifically created for testing purposes.
Windows 10 should get the very first Consumer Preview build next month, while RTM might be reached in spring.
Obviously, many expect Windows 10 to be a game changer for Microsoft and finally convince more users to upgrade, but it remains to be seen how many people will actually agree to give up on their old operating system and go for a new one that also packs touch-optimized features.
