Windows Loses Some Users Despite the Arrival of Windows8.1

Microsoft launched 2 operating system versions in the last 12 months, but this hasn’t stopped the overall market share of its platform from losing a few points every 30 days.

According to market researcher Net Applications, Windows now stands at 90.66 percent, while Mac OS X comes second with 7.73 percent. Linux is third with only 1.61 percent.

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The difference between Windows and the other platforms is huge, but Microsoft’s operating system keeps losing points and this isn’t at all a good thing.

Only last month Windows declined from 90.81 percent to 90.66 percent, with the trend clearly showing a dropping market share for what it remains the number one operating system for desktop computers.

Windows started the year with a share of 91.71 percent, but gradually lost points as more users made the switch to other platforms.

Windows Loses Some Users Despite the Arrival of Windows 8.1

 

[R0bR]

Absolutely laughable, 1% decline this year in market share? Really? How devastating. These so called analysts and tech bloggers will take any opportunity to create doom and gloom scenarios for Microsoft. With all the dissatisfaction about Windows 8 since it's release it was the perfect opportunity to move on to OSX, and yet the over whelming majority of people decided to stay with Windows in one form or another.

 

[SIW2]

Might be because mac is £1000 plus (uk prices). Windows machines can be had for £299. I believe the common price point is £399. Even easier, stick with the existing laptop if you don't like the look of what is on offer at a price most can afford.

You will be suggesting Lamborghini is not popular because they only have a tiny fraction of the entire automobile market. Why not throw in bicycles and buses as well. Then you can claim they have a miniscule share of the "personal transport" market.

 

[Nemix]

I just went back on Windows 7 despite having played with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 for a whole year.

Don't get me wrong Windows 8.1 is really good OS and IMHO a major update to Windows 8 but I'm tired of waiting for compatible drivers and software to get optimized and released for Windows 8.1 (if ever).

Metro UI is still just about 99% useless to me with the exception of surfing the web and checking for emails while being sand-boxed, there's also some games in Metro UI (so don't get me wrong).

Windows 7 is getting Internet Explorer 11 and if Microsoft can somehow get WDDM 1.2 and 1.3 onto Windows 7 alongside DirectX 11.1 and 11.2 there would absolutely no reason for Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 8 and/or Windows 8.1 at all.

 

[lehnerus2000]

For the record, I find W8.1 to be less annoying than W8.

And still, this doesn’t stop users and analysts alike from criticizing Redmond for its strategy of putting touch ahead of the traditional way of working on a computer and involving a mouse and a keyboard.

In fact, this has been one of the most criticized aspects of the new Windows 8 platform, with Microsoft blasted with every single occasion by users who felt like being left of the company’s operating system lineup due to the plethora of touch-oriented features.

What a crock! How does "the plethora of touch-oriented features" get in the way of using mouse and/or keyboard in 8/8.1?! Especially in 8.1 with options to boot to Desktop and use All Apps instead of Start Screen. Personally, I never skipped a beat.

That's my point. The touch Oriented Features are not anti-Mouse/Keyboard. They work just fine.

On the desktop, it's really "fantastic" that the:

• Charms bar pops out and covers the window controls
• Thumbnail bar pops out and covers any icons you may have on the left side of your screen

At least MS allows you to eliminate those nuisances in W8.1.

The problem is, it's different. And people are resistant to change in these areas.

Again, it is not inaccurate to state that most people who harp on these changes haven't given much thought into how to use it.
It's not what I am used to, therefore it sucks.

The majority object to being forced to relearn how to do the tasks they already know how to do, just so some executive can receive a bigger bonus.

At least MS isn't as bad a Yahoo.
Those idiots have been changing the email page format every couple of months this past year.
A lot of users are extremely unimpressed (judging by the feedback page).

Much like going from Office2003 to 2007 or 2010, the Ribbon bar does in fact make the software a lot more useful and friendly. As it does in Explorer.

Eliminating the ability to have the Details and Preview panes open at the same time was another "fantastic" improvement.

Many of the things that one person said they wanted, will be hard pressed to get them incorporated.
Tabbed Explorer, Virtual Desktops, etc.
MS could barely include a web browser without getting sued, much less Anti-Virus. Please, stop with the fud.

MS is allowed to use tabs in IE and on the "Ribbon", but they're not allowed to use them in File Explorer?

 

[echrada]

I just went back on Windows 7 despite having played with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 for a whole year.

Don't get me wrong Windows 8.1 is really good OS and IMHO a major update to Windows 8 but I'm tired of waiting for compatible drivers and software to get optimized and released for Windows 8.1 (if ever).

Metro UI is still just about 99% useless to me with the exception of surfing the web and checking for emails while being sand-boxed, there's also some games in Metro UI (so don't get me wrong).

Windows 7 is getting Internet Explorer 11 and if Microsoft can somehow get WDDM 1.2 and 1.3 onto Windows 7 alongside DirectX 11.1 and 11.2 there would absolutely no reason for Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 8 and/or Windows 8.1 at all.

This is the same thing that happened with Vista and that is why Windows 8/8.1 will be seen as a failure in a lot of people's minds. Imagine being somebody that does not have a clue how to get drivers (most of the public out there) you will be tearing your hair out and if you had been using Windows 7 successfully that is where you will return. Like the Vista users went back to XP or adopted Linux or bought a Mac.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there.

Here we go again with a load of meaningless statistics -- apart from the "bleedin obvious one" that so many people use OTHER devices such as mobile phones and tablets for a lot of internet consumption and don't really need a laptop / desktop any more.

You might just as well say the number of PHYSICAL stores (physical retail outlets) is declining -- obvious -- a lot of people don't want to go out in the cold and wet - traipse around stores for hours on end (especially men) and pay exhorbitant prices from parking to food and drink and everything else in between - or that the number of physical bank branches is diminishing -- how many people these days actually NEED to visit a bank.

Windows 8.1 will do OK on computers for those that need PC's -- it beats W8 hands down any way you care to name. Ms though doesn't depend on so much on Windows for its income any more either -- although of course it's an important revenue earner.

There isn't any evidence to support the notion that Ms is in terminal decline --in fact if you look at the Market performance of Ms stock over the last few months sentiment shows quite the reverse.

@Tepid - minimize the ribbon via CTRL+F1 if you don't want to see the huge ribbon in Office etc.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[DustSailor]

I just went back on Windows 7 despite having played with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 for a whole year.

Don't get me wrong Windows 8.1 is really good OS and IMHO a major update to Windows 8 but I'm tired of waiting for compatible drivers and software to get optimized and released for Windows 8.1 (if ever).

Metro UI is still just about 99% useless to me with the exception of surfing the web and checking for emails while being sand-boxed, there's also some games in Metro UI (so don't get me wrong).

Windows 7 is getting Internet Explorer 11 and if Microsoft can somehow get WDDM 1.2 and 1.3 onto Windows 7 alongside DirectX 11.1 and 11.2 there would absolutely no reason for Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 8 and/or Windows 8.1 at all.

Bro, this is a great answer. I think if your computer doesn't have drivers for the next OS, that you should stay with the current one. I like 8.1 more than 7, but honestly, it isn't so completely different that I'd risk crashes in order to have it.

I'm with those who think these 'think tanks' are tanking on this one. They're trying to create drama where there is none, possibly to seem smarter or scare people

reminds me of something...

[video=youtube;316AzLYfAzw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=316AzLYfAzw[/video]

 

[Ruudfood]

For me the mystery of Windows 8 is that seemingly intelligent people who complain about Metro/Win8 being no good for mouse and keyboard users/the OS being too touch-oriented/no start menu (*delete as appropriate) are actually just too stupid to find the tile that takes them to the desktop/configure boot to desktop and can't transfer the concept of a cascading menu system that is the Start button, to a row of icons on a "desktop" that essentially does the same thing, and uses that as a stick to beat Windows 8/8.1 and Microsoft with!

It's utterly baffling!

 

[mcnulty]

People don't want to change their ways just because Microsoft wants to sell tablets?

Yep, totally baffling.

 

[SIW2]

Ruudford
...are actually just too stupid...

Yes that is right. If you make product that doesn't sell, blame the customers.

That is the way - you got it.

 

[pparks1]

I love MS products but cannot justify updating with every new version that comes along. My present computer is 3 years old, my wife's is 5 years old. We're going to just keep on keeping on.

Then why bother upgrading? My wife's old laptop runs Vista and it's just fine. I've simply left it as is.

 

[Ruudfood]

People don't want to change their ways just because Microsoft wants to sell tablets?

Yep, totally baffling.

Hold on a minute: it's not Microsoft's fault that people don't want to change their ways. In fact, people HAVE changed their ways because they've moved away from the traditional desktops to the likes of the iPad and Android OSes and ecosystems. With Windows 8 Microsoft are just ensuring that they stay relevant in the marketplace because, as we've seen, sales of traditional desktop PCs have nosedived. This decline happened BEFORE Windows 8 came along because a) the need to upgrade has been seen by many as unnecessary and b) mobile devices have become a more versatile way of communicating and accessing information.

So who's actually complaining? Those savvy enough to have upgraded to Windows 8 in a desktop environment or have, unfortunately for them, bought a new PC just as the landscape is changing and reviewers who are feeding the frenzy of "OH NOES NO START BUTTON!!!!!!!!!11 LOLZ!!!"

Ultimately, the hardware will also change so what do Microsoft do? Stick with an OS that's out of date because the world has moved to touch (and, possibly, gesture) or move now knowing that in the short term you'll have a few people who are unhappy?

 

[HippsieGypsie]

People don't want to change their ways just because Microsoft wants to sell tablets?

Yep, totally baffling.

Hold on a minute: it's not Microsoft's fault that people don't want to change their ways. In fact, people HAVE changed their ways because they've moved away from the traditional desktops to the likes of the iPad and Android OSes and ecosystems. With Windows 8 Microsoft are just ensuring that they stay relevant in the marketplace because, as we've seen, sales of traditional desktop PCs have nosedived. This decline happened BEFORE Windows 8 came along because a) the need to upgrade has been seen by many as unnecessary and b) mobile devices have become a more versatile way of communicating and accessing information.

So who's actually complaining? Those savvy enough to have upgraded to Windows 8 in a desktop environment or have, unfortunately for them, bought a new PC just as the landscape is changing and reviewers who are feeding the frenzy of "OH NOES NO START BUTTON!!!!!!!!!11 LOLZ!!!"

Ultimately, the hardware will also change so what do Microsoft do? Stick with an OS that's out of date because the world has moved to touch (and, possibly, gesture) or move now knowing that in the short term you'll have a few people who are unhappy?

Right on, Bro! :thumbup:

 

[Rickkins]

Ruudford
...are actually just too stupid...

Yes that is right. If you make product that doesn't sell, blame the customers.

That is the way - you got it.

Hah!! Freakin' priceless....

 

[XweAponX]

Microsoft launched 2 operating system versions in the last 12 months, but this hasn’t stopped the overall market share of its platform from losing a few points every 30 days.

According to market researcher Net Applications, Windows now stands at 90.66 percent, while Mac OS X comes second with 7.73 percent. Linux is third with only 1.61 percent.

The difference between Windows and the other platforms is huge, but Microsoft’s operating system keeps losing points and this isn’t at all a good thing.

Only last month Windows declined from 90.81 percent to 90.66 percent, with the trend clearly showing a dropping market share for what it remains the number one operating system for desktop computers.

Windows started the year with a share of 91.71 percent, but gradually lost points as more users made the switch to other platforms.

Windows Loses Some Users Despite the Arrival of Windows 8.1

I think the first sentence says it ALL: 2 OSes in 12 months.

When Vista was a huge migraine and disappointment, they properly reacted by releasing Windows 7 - But only after one whole year of Vista!

But Windows 8 for me has been NO Vista, I have been totally happy with it since I installed it and made it my default OS. People complained about "No Start Button" Which MEANT "No Start Menu" but MS decided to interpret as "Put a Link to the Start Screen there, instead of a working Program Menu"

Easily fixed by installing Start 8 and Classic Shell. This should never ever have been a full OS, it should have been a Service pack. But since MS was making another whole new OS, they decided to re-write some of the major Tile Apps, and make them less than useful.

OK so they made 8.1. But now, it is as if, in MS's book, Windows 8 DOES NOT EXIST anymore... They are Calling Windows 8.1 "Windows 8" but it is far from 8, the only similarity is that there is a Start Screen like Windows 8, that's it. The Entire Desktop was redesigned and the MS Tiles stripped of Hub Functions.

But in the long run, it is not that "Microsoft has Lost Windows Users" - They lost Windows 8 and 8.1 users who are re-installing 7 now with renewed, relentless Vigor.

I don't think they are all moving to OSX, I think Linux is having a heyday.

 

[Ruudfood]

People don't want to change their ways just because Microsoft wants to sell tablets?

Yep, totally baffling.

Hold on a minute: it's not Microsoft's fault that people don't want to change their ways. In fact, people HAVE changed their ways because they've moved away from the traditional desktops to the likes of the iPad and Android OSes and ecosystems. With Windows 8 Microsoft are just ensuring that they stay relevant in the marketplace because, as we've seen, sales of traditional desktop PCs have nosedived. This decline happened BEFORE Windows 8 came along because a) the need to upgrade has been seen by many as unnecessary and b) mobile devices have become a more versatile way of communicating and accessing information.

So who's actually complaining? Those savvy enough to have upgraded to Windows 8 in a desktop environment or have, unfortunately for them, bought a new PC just as the landscape is changing and reviewers who are feeding the frenzy of "OH NOES NO START BUTTON!!!!!!!!!11 LOLZ!!!"

Ultimately, the hardware will also change so what do Microsoft do? Stick with an OS that's out of date because the world has moved to touch (and, possibly, gesture) or move now knowing that in the short term you'll have a few people who are unhappy?

Right on, Bro! :thumbup:

I'm not sure whether you're being sarcastic!

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Hold on a minute: it's not Microsoft's fault that people don't want to change their ways. In fact, people HAVE changed their ways because they've moved away from the traditional desktops to the likes of the iPad and Android OSes and ecosystems. With Windows 8 Microsoft are just ensuring that they stay relevant in the marketplace because, as we've seen, sales of traditional desktop PCs have nosedived. This decline happened BEFORE Windows 8 came along because a) the need to upgrade has been seen by many as unnecessary and b) mobile devices have become a more versatile way of communicating and accessing information.

So who's actually complaining? Those savvy enough to have upgraded to Windows 8 in a desktop environment or have, unfortunately for them, bought a new PC just as the landscape is changing and reviewers who are feeding the frenzy of "OH NOES NO START BUTTON!!!!!!!!!11 LOLZ!!!"

Ultimately, the hardware will also change so what do Microsoft do? Stick with an OS that's out of date because the world has moved to touch (and, possibly, gesture) or move now knowing that in the short term you'll have a few people who are unhappy?

Right on, Bro! :thumb:

I'm not sure whether you're being sarcastic!

Lol! Perhaps the translation was lost through the years. Not being sarcastic whatsoever. When an/this old Hippie says "right on, Bro!" with thumbs up it means I totally agree. In fact, I couldn't have put it better myself. Good job! I guess you haven't read a lot of my posts. I'm one of the biggest proponents of 8/8.1 along with many others on this forum.

Keep on keeping on!

 

[pparks1]

They are Calling Windows 8.1 "Windows 8" but it is far from 8, the only similarity is that there is a Start Screen like Windows 8, that's it. The Entire Desktop was redesigned and the MS Tiles stripped of Hub Functions.

Hmmm...gotta look harder at 8.1 because i don't see much difference from Windows 8.

 

[SIW2]

I have seen it described as a lick of paint. In fact, it is a disguise. MS are trying to make to make it less repellant. It might work for them. If the forums are anything to go by, most seem to think it is all about a strange cobbling together of UIs. Not many actually grasp what it is all for.

 

[Tepid]

People don't want to change their ways just because Microsoft wants to sell tablets?

Yep, totally baffling.

Hold on a minute: it's not Microsoft's fault that people don't want to change their ways. In fact, people HAVE changed their ways because they've moved away from the traditional desktops to the likes of the iPad and Android OSes and ecosystems. With Windows 8 Microsoft are just ensuring that they stay relevant in the marketplace because, as we've seen, sales of traditional desktop PCs have nosedived. This decline happened BEFORE Windows 8 came along because a) the need to upgrade has been seen by many as unnecessary and b) mobile devices have become a more versatile way of communicating and accessing information.

So who's actually complaining? Those savvy enough to have upgraded to Windows 8 in a desktop environment or have, unfortunately for them, bought a new PC just as the landscape is changing and reviewers who are feeding the frenzy of "OH NOES NO START BUTTON!!!!!!!!!11 LOLZ!!!"

Ultimately, the hardware will also change so what do Microsoft do? Stick with an OS that's out of date because the world has moved to touch (and, possibly, gesture) or move now knowing that in the short term you'll have a few people who are unhappy?

Right on, Bro! :thumbup:

haha yeah, this is a great point, The double standard is not really baffling, it's irritating.

So,, all these people can figure out how to use a smartphone and get all their apps working with all these different iterations in OS's across smart phones and tablets (android and ios) but Win8 is just too much?

that's like saying "My Teleprompter misspoke, not me."
Now that's both baffling an irritating.