Windows 8's uptake falls behind Vista's pace

Windows 8's uptake falls behind Vista's pace

New OS can't keep up with Vista, Microsoft's 2007 OS flop

By Gregg Keizer
December 27, 2012 10:55 AM ET

Computerworld - With just a week left in the month, Windows 8's usage uptake has slipped behind Vista's at the same point in its release, data from a Web measurement company showed.

According to Net Applications, Windows 8's online usage share through Dec. 22 was 1.6% of all Windows PCs, an uptick from 1.2% of November. Windows 8 publicly launched on Oct. 26.

At the same two-month mark in Vista's release timetable, that OS accounted for 2.2% of all Windows systems, double the month prior.

Net Applications measures operating system usage by recording the specific operating system and version used by the machines of visitors to approximately 40,000 sites it monitors for clients.

The slowdown in uptake of Windows 8 and its poor performance compared to Vista is a troubling sign for the new operating system. Vista has been labeled a rare Microsoft failure, in part because it was adopted by far fewer customers than either its predecessor, Windows XP, or its successor, Windows 7.

Vista's online usage share peaked in the fall of 2009 at 20.3% of all Windows systems.

While there are nine days of Windows 8 data for December still to be released by Net Applications -- including Christmas, when a substantial number of Windows 8 PCs may have been given as gifts, and thus not included in the online estimates -- the new OS would have to record an amazing usage jump during December's final week to put it on par with Vista's 2007 pace.

see two page report
 
That is disappointing to hear, but think many already suspected as much. I happen to think Win8 is just fine. Still, I talk to some who are struggling to learn it and this is causing many friend to delay upgrading.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro w/Media Center, Windows RT
The contrast between the two being seen as flops is with Vista the OS had grown in size inbetween XP out in 2001 and then the delays resulting in a late launch date as well as understated system requirements. People running only 512mb of memory and a slower cpu were baffled and found Vista slow and not anywhere as responsive.

With 8 on the other hand the OS has been stripped down to less then seen with 7 adding the "Modern" or "Metro" gui taken from the Surface Tablet Windows RT complicating things even more for the skeptical as well as those that would simply prefer to continue seeing things plain and simple! Many rejected both Vista and 7 wanting to stay with XP for that reason alone.
 

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    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
    Computer type
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    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
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    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
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    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
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    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
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    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
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    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
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    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
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    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
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    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
@NightHawk That makes perfect sense. In fact when running Vista Ultimate on a SATA3 SSD HD, 8GB RAM, decent graphics card, and a high end CPU/mobo, there's not a lot of difference to the speed of Win7 Ult on a similar set up.

Win8 is too radical because it's basically asking conventional desktop users to run their PC in tablet format. Almost everyone I know has both mobile devices AND desktop tower PC, and they do their serious work on desktop PC. And don't want a tablet format for that purpose.

And I do get to see a fairly large cross section of PCs as I belong to a world wide self-help organization, and my modest contribution is to help members who live in my area with their PC problems. But it's not restricted to that, as I also meet members face to face from many different countries as well as correspond by email. Then there are the various PC techos from computer retail outlets, repair shops, enthusiasts, forums, etc. And last but not least, my son is a qualified PC techo.

The overall response to W8 that I have personally encountered is very negative. And I'm not an 8 hater. I'm running W8 Pro OEM installed from disk purchased from retail store for $149. However I am using Ex7ForW8 which imported the original W7 Orb Start Menu and Explorer 7 Shell; and disables Metro with direct boot to desktop.

While this serves my purposes, the average user who wants it to work as they want it straight out of the box, won't be interested. I have a hard enough time coaxing people to do routine maintenance on their PCs like update, defrag, registry clean, Cleanup, safety after using IE, etc. I normally set these things on scheduled auto run when I service a PC or they never happen. I ran ToniArts Cleanup on one PC and it removed close to 5GB of garbage. And the guy wondered why his PC had slowed down!

For many months I did exhaustive testing of W8 in native format but found it to be less efficient than native W7 setup.
 
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    Windows 7 Ult Reatil & Win 8 Pro OEM
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    Built as DIY
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    6 core 12 thread & 4 core
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    Inel Extreme & Intel standard
    Memory
    12GB & 8GB
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    3 top end SLI linked & onboard
    Sound Card
    In built in graphics card & onboard
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    24 & 23 inch Samsung LED backlit
    Screen Resolution
    High def
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force 128GB SATA3 SSDs in each machine. Plus several external USB3 and eSATA spinner HDs
I'd think 8 would be outdoing Vista but Vista was a desktop out of the box with no customizations. Making customizations in itself may not have hurt 8's reviews but the missing start button is killing them. Myself, I haven't tried a 3rd party start button. I added Program Files Toolbar and pinned Metro All apps shortcut to my taskbar. That works great because it bypasses the start screen and opens Search with a single click.
It seems to me that experienced pc users are the ones with 8 problems.
It takes people awhile to realize other forums here actually make customizing 8 real easy.
I have 2 friends that are updating to 8 this month. Both are older with at least 5 years of hitting IE on the taskbar. Both felt too intimidated to navigate into the start button on XP.
I showed them 8 on a metro screen with only 2 icons. Desktop & IE (set to open in desktop IE).
They mentioned big start button (word START on metro). I demonstrated typing w for wordpad or MS word and clicking on tile. As well as right clicking and pinning it to start or taskbar. One asked about shortcuts, so I showed that slowly.
Showed them to click desktop tile and window key to return to metro.
After ½ hour, they are the latest pc gurus.
 

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System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
You can't compare Windows 8 to Vista, Microsoft need Windows 8 to get in the tablet and phone market. If Vista was a flop, Windows 8 will be a Disaster for Microsoft if thing continue the way it goes. If you compare what Android as to offer to the phone, Windows really suck, look at the interface design, it's not even appealing. The metro thing was not a bad idea, it's just the interface team that really mess all the thing, it's not looking good and it don't have good features, actually they remove feature, a huge step back. Microsoft is in need of a good designer, someone who will bring the WOW to their OS look.
 
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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
You can't compare Windows 8 to vista for SO many reasons. Firstly, the technology and features aren't similar. Eight wasn't a rushed out, half complete OS like vista was. Also, Windows 8 wasn't behind major schedule because too much technology was being built on top of an unsuitable OS.

But to say that 8 is like vista is most arrogant, ignorant remark I've ever seen. Wow.

As for the uptake, different times and different dynamics are working here. 2006-7 was a different time and a different economy than 2012-13. People are using an OS, Windows 7, that works fine and doesn't necessarily need to upgraded for either performance or security reasons. Yes, Windows 8 is better in those regards, but that doesn't seem to be what the major selling point. Now back in vista's day, people were using an OS, Windows xp, that was old, dated, icky look with SERIOUS security issues; performance was fine for the most part. vista came around and addressed the security issues, but left gaping performance problems all around that it later took two service packs to address; by which time Windows 7 was a year or so from launch, making the upgrade from xp to vista pointless when 7 was nearing the corner.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
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    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
My bad, I correct it, I means " can't compare.." Windows 8 may probably end the existence of Microsoft. Sit and watch the next 2 years. The more I play with my Galaxy Note 2, the more I see the Microsoft problem. Please don't get me the UK sale of Windows phones, those who purchase it are probably telling their friend they make a mistake.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
My bad, I correct it, I means " can't compare.." Windows 8 may probably end the existence of Microsoft. Sit and watch the next 2 years. The more I play with my Galaxy Note 2, the more I see the Microsoft problem. Please don't get me the UK sale of Windows phones, those who purchase it are probably telling their friend they make a mistake.

The more I see commercials about running windowed apps on phones really highlights marketing gimmicks from Samsung...

And no, global uptake of Windows Phone is rising, whether you choose to accept that fact is beyond me. And no, no one is saying what a mistake they made with Windows Phone, when it's higher up with user satisfaction than android and better reviewed.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
My bad, I correct it, I means " can't compare.." Windows 8 may probably end the existence of Microsoft. Sit and watch the next 2 years. The more I play with my Galaxy Note 2, the more I see the Microsoft problem. Please don't get me the UK sale of Windows phones, those who purchase it are probably telling their friend they make a mistake.

That's exactly my issue with Windows 8. It was designed to solve a Microsoft's problem, regardless of the actual needs of their customers. They're incredibly late to the game and getting more desperate by the minute.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 + StartIsBack + AeroGlass
    Computer type
    Laptop
Vista certainly rushed out and a half baked OS there if you wanted to make any comparisons. Originally due to be out back in the 2003-04 time frame Vista saw several delays until the 1/31/07 launch date arrived finally. It brought in new things like the Startup repair tool "still in use" now for 7 and 8's renaming to Automatic repair and the side bar and gadgets to be replaced by 7's gadgets on the desktop as welll as pinning to the taskbar.

What has 8 brought in? A new Lock screen with pin code and picture login options and a new look for the taskmanager along with the Windows RT gui. What else? Media Center now a separate paid for app, dvd playback support, video playback seemingly removed from the new WMP version plus other things now gone as well.

The one other thing not mentioned above would be the new Hyper-X support for Cloud application and now seeing Skype tossed into the mix. The much improved ME Security Essentials with the Windows Defender name is added to the list.

Where do things go wrong? Compatibility issues seem to be prevailing while 3rd party apps solve the Modern or Metro look. Even with a number of games more complaints heard there. You end weighing the factors when considering replacing a working OE like 7 with 8 if not planning out a dual boot. If anything I would wait here until at least SP1 before bothering with 8 being run as a second OS. That would be a stand alone install on a separate drive as well after seeing the previous problems of trying to dual boot 7 with 8 on previous occaions.
 

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    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
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    PC/Desktop
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    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper-X DDR3 1600mhz 16gb - 2nd case Kingston Hyper-X "Fury" DDR3 1600mhz 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
    Sound Card
    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 same on both builds
    Hard Drives
    1st build
    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
    WD RE "Heavy Duty Sata II 2tb two Storage/Backup
    2nd build
    WD Blue Sata II 500gb
    WD Black Edition Sata III 1tb
    WD Green Power Sata II 1tb in external usb enclosure
    PSU
    Corsair TX750H 750w -Corsair 500w
    Case
    Antec 900-2 -NXZT Vulcan Mini tower/carrying handle
    Cooling
    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
    Keyboard
    Azio Blue led back lit both builds.
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Other Info
    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
I'm very very glad Windows 8 is dead.

Microsoft needs to learn it's role is not to be "cool" but practical.

Hopefully Windows 9 will be more like Windows 7; simple, straightforward, with refinements THAT MAKE SENSE TO END USERS.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows
I'm very very glad Windows 8 is dead.

Microsoft needs to learn it's role is not to be "cool" but practical.

Hopefully Windows 9 will be more like Windows 7; simple, straightforward, with refinements THAT MAKE SENSE TO END USERS.


With that sort of thinking we'd still be using DOS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
Will still using DOS , Windows 8 is a Disk Operating System no ?

Could well be, it's nearly as fast as the old DOS.

But just imagine these people complaining about Windows 8 and then having to go to DOS.

in my opinion Windows 8 is simpler than any Windows before it, okay there's a couple of blips here and there, but they'll be straightened out, some people shouldn't be allowed near computers.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
Okay, so you're on the start screen, oh look there's a tile called desktop, let's hit that, oh look Windows 7. Back to the start screen, right click, all apps, oh look there's all the Apps.

Type me on the start screen, oh look there's media player. Move mouse to bottom left corner, right click, oh look at all the goodies, control panel device manager etc.

Move mouse to right side of screen oh look more stuff I'm familiar with. That's it end of story.

Wow that was hard.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
I'm very very glad Windows 8 is dead.

Microsoft needs to learn it's role is not to be "cool" but practical.

Hopefully Windows 9 will be more like Windows 7; simple, straightforward, with refinements THAT MAKE SENSE TO END USERS.


With that sort of thinking we'd still be using DOS.

Or mac os...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Okay, so you're on the start screen, oh look there's a tile called desktop, let's hit that, oh look Windows 7. Back to the start screen, right click, all apps, oh look there's all the Apps.

Type me on the start screen, oh look there's media player. Move mouse to bottom left corner, right click, oh look at all the goodies, control panel device manager etc.

Move mouse to right side of screen oh look more stuff I'm familiar with. That's it end of story.

Wow that was hard.


and how all this juggling between 2 worlds make it easier than Windows 7, cause you said it was easier ?.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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