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Windows XP usage outpaced by Windows 7.
The number of people using Windows 7 across the world has finally eclipsed the total who have Windows XP installed on their home PCs and laptops, according to figures published by StatCounter.
Microsoft originally launched Windows XP a decade ago and it is still present on almost 39 per cent of all computers, despite having been superseded by two subsequent operating systems.
Windows Vista was the first attempt made by Microsoft at phasing out XP but with critics unconvinced by the hardware-intensive update, it never quite took off in the way that Windows 7 managed to achieve.
Windows Vista is still found on 11 per cent of computers across the globe, which is greater than the seven per cent of people who run Apple`s Mac OS X. However, the 40 per cent stake now claimed by Windows 7 shows that Microsoft`s updated operating system has managed to convince a mainstream audience to upgrade from XP.
The main reason to upgrade from XP, aside from getting new features, is that security and software stability is much better for Windows 7 users. With any ageing piece of software, it is far easier for criminals to exploit loopholes because they have had much more time to get to grips with its nuances.
Microsoft is hoping that 2012 will be another great year for its operating systems as Windows 8 is being prepped for launch to face the brave new world in which tablet computers are beginning to catch up to traditional devices in terms of market penetration.
To address the increasing emphasis on touch-friendly interfaces, Windows 8 will combine a traditional desktop UI along with a supplementary system that draws much from its Windows Phone 7 mobile platform.
This means plenty of touchable boxy elements in a kind of minimalist environment, with full integration for social networking sites, easy access to updates for emails and messaging and a customisable look and feel that users can mould to their own requirements.
Windows 8 will have a scalability that few other operating systems can hope to match, making it completely at home on both tablet devices and desktop computers. In a world where there is quite a bit of fragmentation between mobile and desktop devices, it is good to see that Microsoft is focusing on delivering a unified experience across all form factors.
It will be interesting to see whether Windows 7 will continue to dominate following the launch of Windows 8, or whether Microsoft will be able to convince people that the time has come to upgrade once more. Perhaps the current Windows XP users will finally take the leap and try out a modern software package upon its arrival, with a Groupon deal or two making such a step even more appealing.