Microsoft quickly released an OS update to their Windows 8 operating system. Many tech experts are of the opinion that this is mainly to provide XP users with an option to upgrade to before the Windows support period runs out. Microsoft reintroduced the Start button and improved the Desktop mode options in Windows 8.1, making it much more user-friendly for the desktop users.
Windows XP users not keen on upgrading to Windows 8.1
But, the recent market surveys figures paint quite a different picture. Even with all these changes to the Windows 8 UI, many Windows XP OS users still find the new Metro user interface radically different from the old Desktop UI, and are therefore hesitant in making the upgrade. In fact, if we look at the Windows OS market share figures, you will see that Windows 7 has increased its user base by a small margin, even more than the Windows 8.1 OS.
Windows 7 occupies more than 50% of the Windows OS market share, and Windows XP, about 25%. The Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 operating systems take a combined market share of about 13%. Now, Microsoft argues that the Windows 8.1 sales are growing slowly and steadily. But, what about the increase in the Windows 7 OS sales?
This shows that Windows 8 or 8.1 might heading the same direction as Windows Vista, though it might not fare that badly in the market. Windows 8.1 is by all means a great operating system. And, it has now become clear that Microsoft is willing to make changes to the OS user interface, to get it to be more user-friendly, through more OS updates in the future.
So, it is possible that with more changes to the OS interface and with the mainstream Windows support for Windows 7 running out, Windows 8 or 8.1 user base will increase further. But, there is a very good chance the new generation Windows operating systems will never be as popular as Windows XP or Windows 7, because of the rise of freeware operating systems like Android.
Microsoft has indeed realised this and is now working on a cheaper version of the Windows 8.1 OS. This OS is currently named Windows 8.1 with Bing, and will have reduced system requirements driving down the hardware cost. This OS will come preinstalled with computer devices sold by Microsoft’s OEM partners.
For more information about this new version of the Windows 8.1 OS, visit the Microsoft website online.
Windows XP users not keen on upgrading to Windows 8.1
But, the recent market surveys figures paint quite a different picture. Even with all these changes to the Windows 8 UI, many Windows XP OS users still find the new Metro user interface radically different from the old Desktop UI, and are therefore hesitant in making the upgrade. In fact, if we look at the Windows OS market share figures, you will see that Windows 7 has increased its user base by a small margin, even more than the Windows 8.1 OS.
Windows 7 occupies more than 50% of the Windows OS market share, and Windows XP, about 25%. The Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 operating systems take a combined market share of about 13%. Now, Microsoft argues that the Windows 8.1 sales are growing slowly and steadily. But, what about the increase in the Windows 7 OS sales?
This shows that Windows 8 or 8.1 might heading the same direction as Windows Vista, though it might not fare that badly in the market. Windows 8.1 is by all means a great operating system. And, it has now become clear that Microsoft is willing to make changes to the OS user interface, to get it to be more user-friendly, through more OS updates in the future.
So, it is possible that with more changes to the OS interface and with the mainstream Windows support for Windows 7 running out, Windows 8 or 8.1 user base will increase further. But, there is a very good chance the new generation Windows operating systems will never be as popular as Windows XP or Windows 7, because of the rise of freeware operating systems like Android.
Microsoft has indeed realised this and is now working on a cheaper version of the Windows 8.1 OS. This OS is currently named Windows 8.1 with Bing, and will have reduced system requirements driving down the hardware cost. This OS will come preinstalled with computer devices sold by Microsoft’s OEM partners.
For more information about this new version of the Windows 8.1 OS, visit the Microsoft website online.
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