Market Share March 2018

Market share is beginning to show an increase in the demand for Windows 10 over Windows 7, because the bulk of Windows users are in the enterprise and government (approx. 90%). They are migrating in larger numbers to W10 in 2018-19 due to their business agreements with Microsoft. The market share will shift dramatically toward W10 based on business demand, not based on choice or preference for one OS version over another. The fact that all new Windows hardware comes with W10 on board is also reflected in these numbers.

The enterprise and government face crippling support costs and security exposure if they do not migrate to W10. That is a compelling reason to migrate.

We should not be regarding these statistics as having anything to do with product satisfaction or user driven demand. This is a tightly controlled market, with 10% being individuals and 90% being non-individuals (e.g. employees).

The consumer gets to determine their own fate. Even if 1 million consumers jumped ship, it would only be a blip to Microsoft's W10 adoption. W10 is just one choice for these users. New hardware is the only limiting factor.

Painter said:

Snip ...

This is a tightly controlled market, with 10% being individuals and 90% being non-individuals (e.g. employees).

... Snip

One other thing, of the 10% of those who have a choice, because they are not employees, only less than 1% are pros or enthusiasts who actually make a choice rather than just use what comes with the system they purchase.

Of course most pros and enthusiasts would be likely to run multiple operating systems and thus appear more than once either for one OS or more likely for different OS variations and Types

Barman58 said:

One other thing, of the 10% of those who have a choice, because they are not employees, only less than 1% are pros or enthusiasts who actually make a choice rather than just use what comes with the system they purchase.

Of course most pros and enthusiasts would be likely to run multiple operating systems and thus appear more than once either for one OS or more likely for different OS variations and Types

That is for sure. More knowledgeable users not only run multiple Windows operating systems, they probably also use competitor's products and the freebies. VMs are popular with more savvy users, but this usage is not reflected in the usage numbers. There are also several non-internet connected systems in industry and now a significantly greater number in government ... these systems need not migrate either. Of course, we will never know how many there are as the two companies that collect the market share stats rely on an internet presence. Devices produced/sold is what Microsoft uses when they tally their market share, but they do not share that info with the public on a monthly basis. These numbers are probably useful in competitive sales situations, partner deliberations or at shareholder meetings.

mrjimphelps said:

Does VMWare Player allow the VM to share the host's hard drive if you have the virtual network disabled?

I haven't tried attaching a real HDD to my W10 Pro VM. :)

mrjimphelps said:

Also, do you EVER do updates on Windows 10?

I was installing updates/upgrades until the 1709 Upgrade broke it (continuous upgrade failure loop).

Yesterday I copied my backup W10 Pro VM (1703) onto my SSD.

Additional
Here we go again!
https://www.ghacks.net/2018/03/08/re...indows-update/


I need to install Visual Studio in W10 to complete my UWP subject for TAFE.
I can't afford to spend hours every day fixing update/upgrade issues, so I'm going to disable Windows Update.