14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has started its usual procedure to push users from Windows 7 to its modern platforms, but it’s a well-known fact that both Windows 8 and 8.1 are performing below expectations right now.
While Windows 8 has failed to impress in more than a year on the market, Windows 8.1 is a relatively new product, so it might be a bit too early to judge it.
And still, a chart rolled out by statista and based on figures provided by Net Applications shows that the performance of both Windows 8 and 8.1 is still weak right now, while Windows 7 remains a very successful product even though it was launched more than four years ago.
According to the same figures, Windows 7 is installed on 46.64 percent of computers worldwide, while Windows XP is the second most popular operating system on the globe with 31.22 percent.
Windows 8 is far behind with only 6.6 percent, while Windows 8.1 is only now gaining traction, so it only holds 2.64 percent of the market. This brings the overall market share of Microsoft’s operating systems to 9.3 percent, which is still lower than what Windows 7 recorded in one year after launch.
Windows 8 started the year with a 2.26 percent market share, so it barely improved it throughout the year. Unfortunately, the modern OS has even begun losing users in October when Microsoft officially introduced Windows 8.1, as more users decided to update their systems.
The market share of Windows 8 fell from 8.02 percent in September (before Windows 8.1 was launched), to 7.53 percent in October and then to 6.6 percent in November.
Windows 7, on the other hand, remains the top choice for Windows XP users who choose to migrate too, mostly because it sticks to the familiar UI with a Start button and Aero effects.