Windows 8.x goes into reverse gear
— loses market share as both Windows 7 and XP show growth
By Wayne Williams
I’ll be honest, although Windows 8.x losing market share is a shocking state of affairs — and a new low for an operating system which has struggled since launch — it’s something that’s been coming for a while. Windows 8 has been dropping share since Windows 8.1 arrived, and Windows 8.1 has been growing at such a glacial pace it was only a matter of time before the losses outweighed the gains, and that’s exactly what happened in June according to NetMarketShare.
In a month where Windows 7 and Windows XP — the OS that refuses to die — both gained market share, “new Windows” shifted into reverse gear and began shedding users.
The loss is minimal — Windows 8 dropped 0.36 percent and Windows 8.1 gained 0.26 percent, so the aggregate is a drop of just 0.1 percent, but even so. Windows 8.x is the only easily obtainable Windows operating system, and it comes pre-installed on pretty much every new PC. Microsoft has made wholesale changes to try and get people interested in the tiled OS, and it’s just not happening.
Let’s not pretend otherwise, a drop in market share of any size — any amount — is a disaster for Microsoft’s new OS. You can blame the better weather (for those in the northern hemisphere), you can blame the World Cup (both have an impact on tech sales and use) but that argument doesn’t really hold water as 8.x is the only OS to drop share in June. That said, there is age to take into account. Windows 8.x users are likely to be slightly younger than users of older operating systems (less averse to change), and therefore more likely to switch from a PC to a non-Windows tablet at this time of year.
But even so.
Elsewhere Windows 7 managed to gain just under half a percentage point (0.49 percent) going from 50.06 percent in May to 50.55 percent in June, cementing its position as the fastest growing operating system. Imagine how well it would be doing if it was more readily available…
I really am not averse to change, but I truly am against sudden confusion, which is what Windows 8 seems to have. I got a Windows 7 PC, and now it is my favorite,and the Windows 8.1 just sits there begging for someone to play with it.
Microsoft ought to have maintained XP cause I think that one was really a good one.
Change wasn’t my problem with Windows 8. I did however have a problem with it being the most unusable system to ever be on a computer. I got a laptop and did the $20 upgrade to 8. After a couple days, I realized I couldn’t even write a letter on it without some sort of software. Matter of fact, I couldn’t do much of anything without software or a ton of apps. Also the upgrade, took away all the bells and whistles that came with my new laptop. So, I returned it to the store, and got my money back. Then I went back to the website I bought it from, (it was an online only deal), and bought it again. Lesson learned. I hated everything about Windows 8. If I had wanted a tablet experience, I would have bought a tablet. Microsoft needs to figure out that tablets and computers aren’t the same thing, and if we wanted a tablet, that its what we would buy. I just hope this computer will last a good long time, as I have NO desire to go through that nonsense with a laptop again. And if that is my only option, I will go with a tablet. At least tablet makers have a clue about what they are doing, and since I have an android phone, an android tablet would be easy peasy for me to navigate.
Microsoft has a problem they do not accept that you have to give the consumer what it is they want I don’t care what it is it will not sell well if it is not what is wanted . Are they so inclined to think they can move people to store everything they have online in today’s snooping environment ? do they think that we do not miss Out look express? I tried 8 and right away I did not like it I have not tried 8.1 but I can not imagine much change . If they wake up to the fact that people want value for their money and then start providing that value they will stay on the plus side of sales or stay in the black instead of seeing red. Read my lips give us what we like and we will buy it , go ahead make my day.
I might add this, my experience with windows 8 was a confused mess, I love a challenge but this was not a challenge just a mess.
I agree with you Ken! I hate it — I have had so many problems. I wonder if I could go back to my XP or maybe try Windows 7 ???