Just as it’s about to be eased out of the door, Windows 8.x has avoided the indignity of ending its time in the limelight lower on the totem pole than Windows XP.
New figures from Net Applications (via CNET) afforded Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 a combined 16.4 per cent share of the computing market, compared with the 14.6 per cent of PCs tracked running Windows X, which first arrived in 2001.
The much-maligned Windows 8 still has 3.6 per cent of the market, while the slightly-better-received Windows 8.1 has now been boosted to 12.8 per cent from the 11.1 per cent, reported back in April.
Naturally, Windows 7 remains on top of the world, with 57.7 per cent share of the PC market, while Mac OS X 10.10 is way back on 4.2 per cent.
Quite mercifully, for all concerned, Windows 8.x will be put out of its misery on June 29, when Microsoft officially releases Windows 10 as a free upgrade.
All users currently running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will be entitled to the new software, so the eagerly-anticipated Windows 10 is likely to make a big dent in the market share imminently.
Read more: Windows 8 vs Windows 10: Should you upgrade?
“Today, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 will be available beginning July 29 in 190 markets globally as a free upgrade to customers running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
“Built with help from more than four million people around the world, Windows 10 marks the start of a new era of personal technology, designed to empower people to do great things.”
Have you stuck with Windows XP software while waiting for Windows 10 to arrive? Share your computing plans in the comments section below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.