Windows 8 adoption rate almost at a standstill, far behind Windows 7

[PGHammer]

I installed Win 8 an a partition on my main gaming computer. Dual Booting it and Win 7.

I checked Win 8 out, and while it was at first a bit unfamiliar, I got used to it pretty fast, and really did not think it was all that bad on my initial run through.

My main reason for not fully switching over is it was not enough to make me do so. My Windows 7 comp is set up exactly how I want it to be, and to start over or what does not seem to be any real good reason, and in fact to have to get used to new features that do not seem all that enticing to me personally, just does not appeal to me.

So maybe when I have a few days to spare I will make the full jump to Win 8, but for now I am sticking to Win 7, as I have it set up exactly as I want it to be. It seems a lot of websites and people just do not take into account the fact it is a PITA to upgrade fully to a new OS. I would imagine quite a few people are in my predicament. Just no real need to upgrade because of the starting over factor it brings along with doing so.

DL, most folks (and this is especially true in business) won't upgrade until it is absolutely positively mandatory - and even then they will stall far beyond the point of reasonable sanity - look at how long 9x hung around.

A poor economy gives even greater impetus to "I-refuse-to-move".

That is something I picked up DURING the 9x era - which is why I have not migrated a SINGLE user to Windows 8 (despite some of my family having PCs with 7, Vista, and even XP on them - desktops and portables alike); overcoming inertia is a pain in the rear. (So far, two users migrated to Windows 8 with new hardware purchases - in both cases, due to outright failure of old hardware. The one user that is having issues is, oddly enough, complaining about the cost of Microsoft Office - not Windows 8 [my cousin the MD that runs a medical-coding shop that supplies services to other MDs - the software itself runs just fine in Windows 8].)

Look at the Computer Gaming forum right here on Neowin (specifically my own thread regarding Crysis 3 on the PC) - and the number of folks that can't even justify a $100USD hardware upgrade for a $60USD game. We're not even talking about an OS upgrade at all there.

[MorganX]

I love it. Just a bunch of FUD. More desperation from these bozos online. They keep getting louder and louder,and spreading more garbage every day. comparing % points instead of actual users? did none of these numbskulls ever stop and think a percentage 3-4 years ago does not equal a % today?.

I find it funny that a bunch of people online feel their pride hurt because windows has something simple(metro) and has color,and they consider themselves some computer tough guys, all overclocking and using command scripts and all.

1) I think if people saw Windows 8 being adopted in their world's they would disregard the numbers. The numbers are reinforcing their own personal experiences. You can surmise the level of uptake by the by the dearth of Windows 8 exclusive apps (not tapplets, but apps) and the large amount of Windows Blue and Windows 9 chatter so soon after Windows 8 release. Don't worry, the numbers themselves will rise over time. Will it ever be "popular" with consumers? We can only guess and wait. (Do you remember at all devs labeling their products "runs better under Windows 7" "enhanced for Windows 7", etc.? See any of that for Windows 8?)

2) Pride - Most people, that are well adjusted don't take it personally. Furthermore, the things you mentioned, overclocking, command scripts, etc. all work in Windows 8 only even more powerful, lol. In fact, there's even more good under-the hood stuff for hardcore tech types in Windows 8.

[srbeen]

In defense of the great engineers that did the Desktop Environment, Win 8 DE is so much more than that. Really. Those dudes have to be hating the UI and core app folks that are turning so many away from all that.

I must mis-understand you here. I own windows 8 and have never used MetroUI for more than 5 minutes. I upgraded from windows 7 solely because its operationally faster and classic shell restored the windows 7 feel. Windows 7 desktop interface or DE to windows 8 DE isn't too magical. Theres a nice new task manager, a new file copy dialog with pause option (that is still lacking IMO), and some easier to see picture menus clogging up the top of file explorers, helpful if you never used windows before.

These features come at a HEAVY UI price. hot edges accidentally being selected with the trackpad/mouse, is it a menu or lablel? click and find out. (change PC settings for one), booting to install/use unsigned drivers is guide-worthy due to the steps required, so many system shortcuts removed I can't remember. Figure out where it started (DE or metro) and how to change this to one constant is time-consuming. Now its settings -> power to shut down, which used to change processor power, brightness and configure UPS times..

[helios01]

Gives MS room to release a Windows 9 that is to Windows 8 as Windows 7 was to Windows Vista, a subtle upgrade. Almost scary how the masses react, Windows Vista was nearly the same thing as Windows 7 but were received very differently. Let's see what happens with Windows 9.

[Order_66]

Gives MS room to release a Windows 9 that is to Windows 8 as Windows 7 was to Windows Vista, a subtle upgrade. Almost scary how the masses react, Windows Vista was nearly the same thing as Windows 7 but were received very differently. Let's see what happens with Windows 9.

The first step would be to actually listen to customer feedback instead of blatantly ignoring it and then claiming that you listened.

[MorganX]

I must mis-understand you here. I own windows 8 and have never used MetroUI for more than 5 minutes. I upgraded from windows 7 solely because its operationally faster and classic shell restored the windows 7 feel. Windows 7 desktop interface or DE to windows 8 DE isn't too magical. Theres a nice new task manager, a new file copy dialog with pause option (that is still lacking IMO), and some easier to see picture menus clogging up the top of file explorers, helpful if you never used windows before.

These features come at a HEAVY UI price. hot edges accidentally being selected with the trackpad/mouse, is it a menu or lablel? click and find out. (change PC settings for one), booting to install/use unsigned drivers is guide-worthy due to the steps required, so many system shortcuts removed I can't remember. Figure out where it started (DE or metro) and how to change this to one constant is time-consuming. Now its settings -> power to shut down, which used to change processor power, brightness and configure UPS times..

I think we're saying the same thing, there's great OS enhancements overshadowed by the UI. I think we disagree on the level of OS (Desktop Environment Enhancements). There's a lot more than most people see. Unfortunately, many can't get past the UI. Here's a few you may not be aware of:

Native UASP - USB Attached SCSI Protocol (in fairness, OS X Lion has this as well), significant boost to USB 3.0 throughput.

Settings Roam - allows for preferences to sync across a user's Windows 8 devices

Hyper-V - Hyper-V virtualization software comes pre-loaded on Windows 8

R&R - New "Reset and Refresh PC" functions enable simplified system wipe and restore

App Suspend - Refreshed Windows Task Manager suspends apps when they're not running on-screen

Logins - Photo, PIN (love the PIN), Microsoft Account Integration

Printing - Many, Print Class Driver Framework, Print apps no longer allowed to be part of driver

Graphic Hardware Acceleration - Just about everything, vastly improved

Explorer Ribbon - Thank God!

SMB 3 - If you don't network much, disregard, if you do, it's beyond scope of this post but look it up.

Secure Boot w/UEFI - a feature which disallows the loading of unauthorized firmware, operating systems, and drivers at boot time.

Improved Multi Monitor support - Yes, Metro kind of nullifies this :/

Windows to Go - Very fantastic enterprise feature. If you work in corporate IT, I suggest you read up on it

Large Disk Support - Self explanatory

Storage spaces - few are aware of this, good stuff. Storages Spaces allow you to combine multiple disks into one storage pool. The new technology is comparable to RAID, but it is more flexible and easier to configure. Probably the coolest thing is that disks can be of different size and connected through USB, SATA, and SAS (Serial Attached SCSI). Storage pools support thin provisioning (physical space is only used when the capacity is needed) and resiliency (mirroring for fault tolerance).

Power Management - Just works. On same hardware Win 7 was flaky on.

NTFS - Many many, NTFS file system enhancement including self-monitoring/repair and enhanced TRIM support for SSDs. Many very technical improvements to improve reliability of SATA and SCSI.

Global Screenhots - lol, yes, Win+PrtScr

Keyboard Enhancements - Though I have not seen a single Win 8 keyboard, let alone one to take advantage of these

There's more. Anyway, Win 8 Desktop Environment is unquestionably superior to Win 7. The poor Core Modern UI apps and the UI itself are really the only issues grating on many people's nerves.

Windows Vista was nearly the same thing as Windows 7

Just no. Windows Vista, people wanted to upgrade from XP with a passion, but UAC broke too much. Yes it was most likely the apps, but doesn't matter. Too expensive and skipped by most enterprises. Windows 7 - fixed all that and included XP Mode for extreme situations.

Microsoft has never been in this situation, upgrading from a version of Windows that was loved, productive, and no major complaints, to one with issues for many and no clear benefit perceivable by the masses, other than touch which I believe MS has over-estimated the demand for (on the desktop, and over-estimated the demise and influence of desktop computing.)

[+Warwagon MVC]

SMB 3 - If you don't network much, disregard, if you do, it's beyond scope of this post but look it up.

OMG I love Super Mario Bros 3

[1759]

I'm another user that only upgraded because of the low $40 upgrade price.

Not that surprising that sales of 8 are slow, metro UI just doesn't work very well on the desktop IMO. I like some of the live tiles, but I almost never use metro apps and the overall metro UI seems tacked on. I like the mail app, although basic and news app, but 99% of my time is still spent using the traditional desktop, but yet they are some aspects that still require the usage of charms, and that feels half baked, like MS was bound to force metro someway, somehow.

If MS would've only bundled the updated bits of 8, sans the metro UI as the new Windows, and left the metro ui to the RT tablets, they just shouldn't have tried to force the desktop ui change.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

40 dollar deal is the only reason I upgraded, otherwise I would have stayed on win7.

Even that wasn't enough to convince me!

[Sandor]

this shows:

many people upgraded to windows 7 because it was superior in many ways to vista and a big upgrade from XP by then.

now that most people are using windows 7 there is less reason to upgrade to 8. the differences aren't that stark.

/thread.

[Order_66]

... And that's why they rolled Steven Sinofsky's head instead.

Oh but didn't he leave on his own accord? lol

/s

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Gives MS room to release a Windows 9 that is to Windows 8 as Windows 7 was to Windows Vista, a subtle upgrade. Almost scary how the masses react, Windows Vista was nearly the same thing as Windows 7 but were received very differently. Let's see what happens with Windows 9.

Windows 9 is just going to be an upgraded version of 8. More blah looking software. If you use it on a tablet it may be OK but as for PC use, I am with 7 forever.

[kiddingguy]

It's that I've got a TechNet account and/or was able to purchase it for $40 for some friends/family or so... with Windows 7 stable as can be, no need to upgrade desktopwise for $200 to Windows 8 Pro.

[RottGutt]

Every argument concludes the same way. If Metro UI had been an OPTION instead of the standard, then nobody would be arguing about anything. Under the hood, Windows 8 is superior to Windows 7, but by making the Metro UI the default interface, the whole experience fails. The Metro UI should have been a selectable option chosen during the upgrade/installation procedure. That way folks that like it can enjoy the tablet interface, and those that don't like it can get back to work as usual. Win - Win situation!!

Tim

[kiddingguy]

Every argument concludes the same way. If Metro UI had been an OPTION instead of the standard, then nobody would be arguing about anything. Under the hood, Windows 8 is superior to Windows 7, but by making the Metro UI the default interface, the whole experience fails. The Metro UI should have been a selectable option chosen during the upgrade/installation procedure. That way folks that like it can enjoy the tablet interface, and those that don't like it can get back to work as usual. Win - Win situation!!

Tim

With Start8 or alike programs it can be "circumvented" to boot directly into the oldskool Desktop but still, Modern UI is everywhere.

Under the hood it's far better and stable. Yes indeed.

And the start button... where is it?? :laugh: :shiftyninja:

[Auditor]

Windows 8 is a pile of crap and the only reason I upgraded was because I only paid $15. Otherwise there is no way I will pay MS a penny. MS is isloating its core desktop users to gain some foothold in tablet but it's a gamble which they are loosing and will loose eventually. One thing MS has forgotten is that they are supposed to be providing service to customers not otherway around. MS thinks they are too big to fail but eventually if they don't correct their disastrous course of action with this metro crap they will be a huge failure. On by the way, the only reason I can bear this windows 8 is becase I use startisback to get my start menu back.

[dvb2000]

40 dollar deal is the only reason I upgraded, otherwise I would have stayed on win7.

not even the $40 deal tempted me to buy an inferior O/S.

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

Every argument concludes the same way. If Metro UI had been an OPTION instead of the standard, then nobody would be arguing about anything. Under the hood, Windows 8 is superior to Windows 7, but by making the Metro UI the default interface, the whole experience fails. The Metro UI should have been a selectable option chosen during the upgrade/installation procedure. That way folks that like it can enjoy the tablet interface, and those that don't like it can get back to work as usual. Win - Win situation!!

Tim

You are quite correct and MS is now paying the price for their oversight and giving users what they think they need and NOT what they want.

[Auditor]

You are quite correct and MS is now paying the price for their oversight and giving users what they think they need and NOT what they want.

You are semi-right. MS is not giving user what they think user need but MS is giving user what MS needs, which is royalty from selling apps which fortunately are not selling very well.

[Xilo]

This makes me happy.

[dvb2000]

You are quite correct and MS is now paying the price for their oversight and giving users what they think they need and NOT what they want.

Microsoft's are trying to increase their profits, and they think by copying Apple and forcing an "APP Store" on everyone is the way they will do it.

That is the main reason for the debacle called Win8 Metro and it being forced on everyone with no option to remove it.

[TPreston]

Its not ok when Microsoft does it but everyone else can :rolleyes: Its an appalling practice but hypocrisy to cry about it here but ignore when Mozilla,Google,Apple etc do the same fricking thing,

Crapstores aside its a shame because the hand-me-down's from server 2012 make this one of the best releases in recent years.

Hyper-V, Windows To Go, Storage Spaces, Native ISO & VHD mount, Metered Networks, PowerShell 3, REFS etc put it head and shoulders above windows 7.

[Neowinuser1991]

I installed windows 8 on 4 computers. At first I thought it was awesome...now it's bland and boring, don't see the point.

Typing on a iPad...it's all we seem to sell at work now (major store chain)...no need for a computer.

The rare time I use a computer now I use Ubuntu on my laptop. I'd switch the in laws comps but I don't want to confuse them.

[Hum]

I hope Microsoft is learning something, towards Windows 9.

[hagjohn]

I'm not surprised. A lot of bad press about how bad 8 is/was, which isn't/wasn't true.