Windows 8/8.1 surges, as XP drops

[Dot Matrix]

 

If you want people to adopt your platform, make it free.
 
That's the lesson in this month's web usage statistics from NetMarketShare, which measure worldwide usage share of desktop and mobile operating systems and browsers.
Microsoft's Windows 8.1 clocked usage of 1.72 percent, doubling its share from the previous month. That gives the Windows 8.x family a total usage share of 9.25 percent after one full year on the market. (Historically speaking, it appears that Windows 8 is following the same adoption patterns as Windows XP, whose share of the installed base was also just under 10 percent after its first year on the market.)

Usage of Windows XP, which celebrated its 12th birthday in October, continues to drop precipitously in NetMarketShare's measurements as it heads toward its end-of-support date less than six months from now. For October, XP usage dropped to 31.24 percent, a new low. Windows 7 usage is virtually unchanged from the previous month, with just under half of all PCs running that flavor of Windows.

Source: ZDNet, via Ed Bott

[spaceelf]

I still like watching XP burn.

 

Bring it down to 20% and it's party time.

[Chasethebase Reporter]

That's good to see, regardless of where the upgrades go to, it's time that Windows XP started fading out. The big kicker is businesses that use specialist pieces of software that aren't compatible with newer versions, or don't have the funding to roll out an upgrade.

I remember my University's labs still had ivory coloured CRT displays and boxes still running Win98/2000. :p

[techbeck]

XP losing marketshare...seems like a NO DUH situation.

 

When Windows 9 comes out, I predict that Windows 7 will lose a bunch of marketshare as well.

[spaceelf]

XP losing marketshare...seems like a NO DUH situation.

 

When Windows 9 comes out, I predict that Windows 7 will lose a bunch of marketshare as well.

We can still celebrate it, since it took way too damn long.

[Active.]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but specifically in the month of October there really wasn't much of a "precipitous drop" for XP?! It went from 31.42% to 31.24%. That's pretty close to the drop that Windows overall experienced (90.81% to 90.66%). 

 

Neither did Windows 8 surge. 8.1 did.

[spaceelf]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but specifically in the month of October there really wasn't much of a "precipitous drop" for XP?! It went from 31.42% to 31.24%. That's pretty close to the drop that Windows overall experienced (90.81% to 90.66%). 

 

Neither did Windows 8 surge. 8.1 did.

8.1 and 8 are for all intents and purposes the same OS, since 8.1 is a free upgrade.

 

I'd say if you qualify the last few months rather than only this month, it's a decent surge.

[McKay]

I still like watching XP burn.

 

She's too big to fail lads.

 

[Active.]

8.1 and 8 are for all intents and purposes the same OS

Indeed, and 8/8.1 went from 8.89% to 9.24% in the month of October. On the other hand, 8.1 doubled its marketshare. That's what I (and I think the original article as is implied in the original title, which Dot Matrix adapted) call a surge.

 

 

I'd say if you qualify the last few months rather than only this month, it's a decent surge.

 

I guess...

[Noir Angel]

Ironically it looks like it's mostly people with XP computers, as 8/8.1 also appears to be growing by about the same amount as XP is shrinking. Ironically, Windows 7 is still holding steady

 

Also, calling the platform "free" is a misuse in terms, it isn't free you still need a licence to be eligible for the free upgrade from 8 to 8.1

[Dot Matrix]

She's too big to fail lads.

 

They said the same about Titanic. ;)

[AJerman]

:laugh: Looks like Windows 7 gained almost as much as Windows 8/8.1. Still not even 10%?! I knew Windows 8/8.1 was doing bad but I didn't know it was THAT bad. Good to see people finally moving on from Windows XP though.

 

Edit: Oh, I didn't see that Windows 7 actually gained more market share than Windows 8 did in September.

[techbeck]

She's too big to fail lads.

 

 

 

XP isnt failing.  It is being retired.  It was a success and why it in use for so long.

[cropcircles]

I would say the start of the W8 spike in shares (sales) were connected with kids going back to school with W8 pre-installed. XP is a bit of a beast. Love the boat I am the Danger.    

Businesses still aren't going near W8.

[Growled Member]

Ironically it looks like it's mostly people with XP computers, as 8/8.1 also appears to be growing by about the same amount as XP is shrinking. Ironically, Windows 7 is still holding steady

 

So mainly all 8/8.1 is doing is gaining a few XP users who are upgrading.

[123456789A]

I still like watching XP burn.

 

Bring it down to 20% and it's party time.

 

Bring it down to 20% and spam execute.

[Raa]

Bring it down to 20% and spam execute.

"Not enough rage."

[Atomic Wanderer Chicken]

The last time I used Windows XP was in 2009 when I got a new Windows 7 laptop and never looked back to XP. Microsoft should send out an update that puts a pop up on the desktop that says "Your operating is about to expire, please upgrade to a newer version of Windows or else your PC will be at risk"

[Atomic Wanderer Chicken]

This is exactly what needs to pop up on all XP computers!

[Growled Member]

The last time I used Windows XP was in 2009 when I got a new Windows 7 laptop and never looked back to XP. 

 

I used it today as I was checking a program at work. We still have a ton of XP computers. 

[thomastmc]

It's funny that just the other day there was a topic showing that Windows 8 had 10% less share than Windows 7 did at this time, yet Windows 8 has the same market share at this time as XP did after it's first year... I wonder what that means :rofl:

 

Indeed, and 8/8.1 went from 8.89% to 9.24% in the month of October. On the other hand, 8.1 doubled its marketshare. That's what I (and I think the original article as is implied in the original title, which Dot Matrix adapted) call a surge.

 

I would guess that W8.1 doubled it's share because many of the W8 users upgraded.

 

The biggest change from 8 to 8.1 is the .1. That very well could have caused some consumers to finally make the jump though.

[psionicinversion]

you do realise gamers especially who know what OS rocks and what doesnt.. the hardcore ones all upgraded to win 8? now 8.1, cus its faster in every respect those people who moaned about the UI sure it may not have bin as intuitive as MS had hoped maybe fixed somewhat in 8.1 dunno not got it yet but ive never had a problem with it. Mine still function like a desktop, if i want calculator up it still runs as a startmenu... win key, type calculator > enter brings it up in desktop. exactly the same want a  list of stuff liek control panel win + X slect control panel faster. think people just moan for the sake of it

[fiftytwoeighty]

I would say the start of the W8 spike in shares (sales) were connected with kids going back to school with W8 pre-installed. XP is a bit of a beast. Love the boat

I am the Danger.

Businesses still aren't going near W8.

Businesses are adopting Windows 8 and 8.1 but with EOL for XP looming, those who have waited to upgrade are looking for the low hanging fruit. I expect Win7 and Win8.1 to continue to trend up at an equal rate throughout most of 2014.

[Raa]

Businesses are adopting Windows 8 and 8.1 but with EOL for XP looming, those who have waited to upgrade are looking for the low hanging fruit. I expect Win7 and Win8.1 to continue to trend up at an equal rate throughout most of 2014.

Thanks for letting us know. :)

[chrisj1968]

That's good to see, regardless of where the upgrades go to, it's time that Windows XP started fading out. The big kicker is businesses that use specialist pieces of software that aren't compatible with newer versions, or don't have the funding to roll out an upgrade.

I remember my University's labs still had ivory coloured CRT displays and boxes still running Win98/2000. :p

 

wow. how can universities really teach IT when their IT is so antiquated?  win 98/2000? wow.

 

the only systems that can continue are those who have systems that are OEM. that's about it, it would appear.