Windows XP's share of the OS usage market fell 1.1 percentage points during August, tying its November 2008 record drop.
But Windows XP remains leading OS
Windows XP's fall doesn't mean that the aged operating system is less than dominant: it accounted for 71.8% of all OSes used by the people who visited the 40,000-some sites that web measurement company Net Applications monitors for clients. Net Applications, which tracks the operating systems used by a pool of about 160 million unique Web site visitors,
But the record decline was matched by near-record, or record, increases in the usage share of Windows Vista, XP's 2007 successor, and the not-yet-officially-released Windows 7.
Vista's share climbed 0.9 of a percentage point last month, ending August with an 18.8% share, an all-time high. August's jump was the largest for Vista since June 2008, when it gained a full percentage point of share.
Windows 7, meanwhile, increased by 0.3 of a percentage point to close the month at 1.2%, the first time the unreleased operating system has broken the 1% mark.
Windows 7's share has more than doubled since May, when Microsoft issued the Release Candidate (RC), the final public preview of the OS. Since then, Microsoft has wrapped up Windows 7, and delivered a RTM (release to manufacturing) build to computer makers, volume licence customers and subscribers to its TechNet and MSDN services.
Overall, Windows gained a statistically-insignificant 0.02 of a percentage point in August compared to the month before.
Together, all versions of Windows accounted for approximately 93% of the operating systems running machines that connected to the Internet last month.
Comments
Den Falls said: Since pc retail outlets are offering a free upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 on all new PC and laptop sales after the latter has launched its hardly surprising to see Vista share riseJust watch it go skydiving once 7 is on general releasepoor ole thing
Den Falls said: Since pc retail outlets are offering a free upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 on all new PC and laptop sales after the latter has launched its hardly surprising to see Vista share riseJust watch it go skydiving once 7 is on general releasepoor ole thing
Jimintrinidad said: I bet its more new computers with Vista preinstalled than users switching away from XP
Mark Smith said: Ditching xp for Vista Pure hype I want to ditch Vista FOR xp not the other way around Vista is such a Cp program
Sirjohng said: And now a new operating system where 70 of computer users will have to re-format their hard drives and load it from scratch having backed up their data files first and then re-installed all their software that may or may not work and also their data files That is if their computer is supported by Windows 7 my 4 year old laptop needs a new network card to use itI bet 80 of those 70 will not have an earthly clue how to go about it or be just too frightened to try
Sirjohng said: So Vista Microsofts fantastic improved operating system that would change the world as we know it gained just under one percentage point of rinternet use last month - WOW After TWO AND A HALF YEARS it languishes at under 20 of online computers I bet the Microsoft shareholders are in paroxisms of delight
Devils Advocate said: Windows XP will remain viable with business users until such time as Windows 7 demostrates that it is compatible with expensive business software and problem free
Poit said: Actually for me Vista has been rock solid compared to XP Id expect several BSODs a month when I was using XP plus there was a niggling shutdown problem right up to the end where I honestly dont recall the last one on Vista it was probably sometime before the last service pack
PEter said: Windows 7 is as much an update of Vista as XP was an update of Windows ME Windows 7 is rock solid compared to XP and a lot more user friendly I just think that MSs pricing structure for W7 is too high
Allan Weaver said: I am amazed that people are going for Windows 7 after rejecting Vista Why am I amazed Because Windows 7 is just a Vista update Had Vista not been such a flop It would not have been called Windows 7 It would have been a Vista update I tried Vista and stayed with XP I tried Windows 7 pre release It was just like Vista I will stick to XP and when I do have to move on I will probably go for Linux