Windows 10 overtakes Windows 8.1 but there’s still a lot of loyalty to Windows 7

1 Feb 2016

Windows 10 has been a success for Microsoft, but catching up with the successful and popular Windows 7 may take time

Just weeks after Windows 8 was consigned to the history books, Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 10, has overtaken its predecessor Windows 8.1, in terms of installs, with the latest system now on 13.7pc of PCs worldwide.

However, Windows 10 still has a long way to go before it can catch up with Windows 7, which is on 47.7pc of computers, according to the latest data from StatCounter.

Only a few weeks ago, Microsoft ended support for Windows 8, Microsoft’s awkward and reactive plunge into the world of tablet computing.

Windows 8.1 was Microsoft’s olive branch ahead of the arrival of Windows 10 last year, and it attempted to put some wrongs to right.

Windows 10 popular but Windows 7 is a pane to crack

Windows 10 is now at 15.7pc in the US and overtook 8.1 in December.

Windows 7 still leads the US on 40.5pc.

In the UK, Windows 10 is powering ahead with 22.4pc in January compared to 12.5pc for 8.1. Windows 10 overtook 8.1 in October in the UK.

Windows 7 represents 36.8pc of internet usage in the UK.

StatCounter-os-ww-monthly-201506-201601-bar

“Microsoft’s determined promotion of Windows 10 seems to be having an impact,” commented Aodhan Cullen, CEO of StatCounter.

“However, there remains a lot of loyalty to Windows 7 and it will be interesting to see if it becomes the equivalent of XP which, 14 years after launch, refuses to lie down and still has an 8pc global share in terms of desktop internet use.”

In Ireland, Windows 10 overtook 8.1 in December and is now up to 21.2pc. Windows 7 still leads the Irish market on 35pc, down from 48pc in January of last year.

Windows image via Shutterstock

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com