Windows 7 overtakes XP globally for first time in October

Microsoft’s operating system Windows 7 overtook its 10-year-old sibling XP globally for the first time in October, according to website analytics company StatCounter.

The firm’s research arm StatCounter Global Stats reports that in October, Windows 7 took 40.5pc of global web market share, with XP at 38.5pc. Windows Vista, which was intended to replace XP, is down at 11.2pc globally.

“Vista was like the ugly sister that few wanted to dance with,” said Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter. “Despite Microsoft trying to keep it back in the kitchen, XP has retained tremendous loyalty over the last decade. However, it looks like the younger Windows 7 is now emerging in the Cinderella role.”

The StatCounter analysis finds that Windows 7 overtook XP in the United States in April of this year and in Europe in July. However, in Asia, Windows XP still retains a clear lead at 55pc in October compared to 36pc for Windows 7. Vista in Asia is at 5pc.

StatCounter Global Stats are based on aggregate data collected on a sample of more than 15bn page views per month (4bn in the US) from the StatCounter network of more than 3m websites.

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