14 DAY TRIAL // If you’re still running on Windows XP and have absolutely no plans to upgrade in the near future, you’re not alone. A new set of statistics provided by market researcher Net Applications reveal that Windows XP continues to lose users at an incredibly slow pace, pretty much because many believe that the existing modern Windows lineup is not even worth a try.
Windows XP, however, remains a very popular option for many users these days, even though it’s 13 years old, and the figures we’ve told you about indicate that 23.89 percent of the desktops are still running it, down from 24.82 percent in July 2014.
Since it reached end of support in April this year, Windows XP reduced its user base by less than 3 percent, and the same trend is expected to be maintained in the coming months.
Even though the poor sales performance of Windows 8 is said to be one of the key reasons users refuse to get off Windows XP, the quickly approaching launch of Windows 9 is also a possible explanation why so many people decide to hold on to their old OS and wait to see what Microsoft is actually planning to bring in the next build.
Of course, Microsoft continues to recommend everyone to update as soon as possible, pointing out to the security risks of staying on Windows XP as one of the key reasons users shouldn’t delay this process anymore.
“We support our older operating systems much longer than most other businesses in this industry, but we can’t keep supporting old operating systems and still move forward creating new and better products,” Microsoft said in a statement soon after the April 2014 end of support.
“We’ve been supporting Windows XP for the past 12 years—that's longer than we've supported any other operating system in our history and already two years longer than the standard ten years of support we normally provide. It’s time for us to look ahead so we can create better products and services for you and all our customers.”
As far as Windows 9 is concerned, consumers could be allowed to get a taste of what’s new in this OS as soon as late September, with people close to the matter revealing that a preview build is likely to be launched this month. The full version of the operating system is scheduled for April 2015.