Market Share March 2018

[lehnerus2000]

Here are the charts from NetMarketShare and StatCounter.

NetMarketShare suggests that W7 & W10 both decreased slightly and XP went up.

StatCounter shows W10 increasing and W7 decreasing.

(You'll need to click several times to see it full size)

​

Data from NetMarketShare
Data from StatCounter

Note:
If you visit the NetMarketShare site, you'll notice that the info listed in the table does not match the data points on the graph.

 

[BenyaminL]

Hope many people stay on 7

Here are the charts from NetMarketShare and StatCounter.

NetMarketShare suggests that W7 & W10 both decreased slightly and XP went up.

StatCounter shows W10 increasing and W7 decreasing.

(You'll need to click several times to see it full size)
View attachment 402994
​

Data from NetMarketShare
Data from StatCounter

Note:
If you visit the NetMarketShare site, you'll notice that the info listed in the table does not match the data points on the graph.

To be honest, I think windows 10 still isn't mature yet, many bugs,, even they messing arround with cortana, that aren't available for other country except US,UK,India, etc.. while google now is much better at handling this kind of problem to deal with..

Second, Windows 10 become much worst on some case, especially on handling search file, event the item is indexed, it never appear on the search via cortana.. I just want to stop knowing MS because of this.. In W7, everything works well, and well customized and mature, not like windows 10...
urgh...

 

[Brds7t7]

I just want an OS that works which is why I've stuck with Windows 7. I've never had any issues that I haven't been able to solve easily.
I don't want an OS that is constantly receiving forced updates, features added or removed from one update to the next, I just want one that runs my software well.

I'm not interested in any AI or voice assistant features, it's the first thing I disable on any device I get. I have no devices like Alexa or Google Home in my house - not interested. I use my fingers to communicate with devices and my voice to communicate with other humans.
Even my new Smart TV isn't connected to the internet, I bought a TV just to watch TV. If they offered one without the Smart features at a reduced price, I'd happily buy one.

I'm probably old fashioned, but I really don't care. I have as much interest in Windows 10 now as I did when it first came out - ZERO!

 

[goodlad]

lolzz.. when I bought my first PC it was XP, I was trying to get Windows 98 rather than XP but the vendors asked me to get XP for better results - haven't regretted that - though I had 98 as partition for a while.
After nearly 12 years when I again went into the market, I got my laptop with Windows 7, 8 didn't release when I'd it.

Basically I've got the best releases from MS unknowingly both the times

as far as the figures go.. may be the results are based on the no.of internet connections via respective OS's ? There could be many more XP even 98 & older versions which aren't connected via internet.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I just want an OS that works which is why I've stuck with Windows 7. I've never had any issues that I haven't been able to solve easily.
I don't want an OS that is constantly receiving forced updates, features added or removed from one update to the next, I just want one that runs my software well.

I'm not interested in any AI or voice assistant features, it's the first thing I disable on any device I get. I have no devices like Alexa or Google Home in my house - not interested. I use my fingers to communicate with devices and my voice to communicate with other humans.
Even my new Smart TV isn't connected to the internet, I bought a TV just to watch TV. If they offered one without the Smart features at a reduced price, I'd happily buy one.

Agreed.

I'm probably old fashioned, but I really don't care. I have as much interest in Windows 10 now as I did when it first came out - ZERO!

You're not old-fashioned, you're smart.

 

[mrjimphelps]

I run Linux Mint 18.2 64-bit as my host OS, and I run Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 (each 32-bit) as virtual machines inside of my Linux Mint host. (I use VMWare Workstation Player as my virtual machine software; I use Classic Shell to make Windows 8.1 look and feel just like Windows 7.)

I am able to do just about everything I need in Linux Mint. But there are some things that I just haven't been able to do in Linux, such as Microsoft Movie Maker; for these things, I use one of my Windows VMs. This arrangement works very well for me.

When Windows 7 goes out of support in January 2020, I will set the VM to not allow Windows 7 to access the internet. However, I will still have until January 2023 for Windows 8.1, so I won't have to prevent 8.1 from getting on the internet until then.

The above works very well for me.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Similar Setup

I run Linux Mint 18.2 64-bit as my host OS, and I run Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 (each 32-bit) as virtual machines inside of my Linux Mint host. (I use VMWare Workstation Player as my virtual machine software; I use Classic Shell to make Windows 8.1 look and feel just like Windows 7.)

I am able to do just about everything I need in Linux Mint. But there are some things that I just haven't been able to do in Linux, such as Microsoft Movie Maker; for these things, I use one of my Windows VMs. This arrangement works very well for me.

When Windows 7 goes out of support in January 2020, I will set the VM to not allow Windows 7 to access the internet. However, I will still have until January 2023 for Windows 8.1, so I won't have to prevent 8.1 from getting on the internet until then.

The above works very well for me.

To keep my W10 Pro VM under my control, I use Linux Mint 18.3 and VMware Player (virtual network disabled).

Most of the time I'm using W7 and VMware Workstation for my VMs (XP, W7 & Linux) but my Workstation is too old to run W10.

 

[Brds7t7]

You're not old-fashioned, you're smart.

You wouldn't say that if you saw me some weekends after a skinful! (d)

 

[Layback Bear]

First off, If you are using Windows 7 like I'm doing at the present time; does not mean you can't also use Windows 10 if you choose.

One can use many operating system if one chooses to and the hardware will allow it to be done.
I like both systems. Windows 7 and Windows 10 have their pluses and minuses.
Windows 10 has many things I turn off because I don't need or want them.
When I first installed Windows 10 it took a couple of weeks of learning and tinkering to get things the way I want them.
Any time I have installed a new operating system, it has always had a learning curve. That's to be expected.
Windows 10 main fault in my opinion is it's updating/upgrading methods. I like to be able to choose what and when I upgrade/update Windows 10.
When one gets a Windows 10 upgrade, one never knows what it will do. It may or may not put all the settings back to default.
Then one will have to spend hours once again making things the way one wants them.

Spending many hours on the Ten Forums one can learn how to do things. Just like we use this forum to learn how to use Windows 7.

Their will always be new things to learn with anything computing.
If for some strange reason I could only use one operating system I would prefer Windows 7 but Windows 10 will be a great operating system in time. One can not stop progress, whether it is to their liking of not.

Jack

 

[Brds7t7]

I have no intention of ever trying to stop progress. The tech industry changes at a rapid pace these days. But, that doesn't mean I have to embrace changes that are sometimes done just for the sake of change.

I've seen a lot of technological advances lately, but I've also seen a lot of steps backwards too. Not just in computing but electronics in general. Taking away user choices, forcing things on to people that are unwelcome to some - switching motion smoothing on in modern TVs by default is a big annoyance of mine. Oh, and removing the headphone jacks from phones. I've yet to find an affordable pair of Bluetooth headphones that can match the sound quality of an affordable pair of wired ones - those are subjects for other forums though. Not everybody has to like the same things just because they're considered "trendy".

I think we can all agree that a stubborn person like me isn't the tech industries target market though. But, I've always thought if something works well, there's no need to change or remove it. There are plenty of advances in the tech industry that have been a big benefit though.

I have attempted to try Windows 10 on many different occasions, but there are just too many things about it which annoy me. Right now, I just can't imagine using it on any of my systems. I'm happy to give it another shot though if things change in future. But, it's been out for over two years now and it still hasn't changed my opinion or convinced me to install it for daily use.

It's trying to do too much for me. I'd rather Microsoft concentrated on the quality, rather than the quantity of features they can cram in - most of which I'll never even touch. I guess that's what modern consumers want though. More features, more, more, more. Many people aren't happy unless they get more these days. They could cram in every option and feature and people would still complain why it doesn't vacuum the house for them!

 

[mrjimphelps]

To keep my W10 Pro VM under my control, I use Linux Mint 18.3 and VMware Player (virtual network disabled).

Most of the time I'm using W7 and VMware Workstation for my VMs (XP, W7 & Linux) but my Workstation is too old to run W10.

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

Also, do you EVER do updates on Windows 10?

 

[Painter]

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.

 

[Barman58]

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

 

[Painter]

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.

 

[lehnerus2000]

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.

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/r...ion-1709-upgrades-that-bypass-windows-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.

 

[Brds7t7]

Additional
Here we go again!
https://www.ghacks.net/2018/03/08/r...ion-1709-upgrades-that-bypass-windows-update/

So long as they keep it to Windows 10 I have no issue with it!
Users should have known what they were getting into when they chose to install an OS with forced updates. To be honest, I'm surprised MS didn't start doing this earlier!

 

[mrjimphelps]

Users should have known what they were getting into when they chose to install an OS with forced updates. To be honest, I'm surprised MS didn't start doing this earlier!

How in the world would most users have known this? Microsoft has never, ever done forced updates until now.

I don't think most geeks were expecting this, let alone the regular folks who don't make it their point to keep up with all of these issues.

 

[mrjimphelps]

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

How well does Windows 10 work when you install and run it in a VM? I'm sure it can't get beyond the bounds of the VM to do any mischief in the host OS. Has that been your experience?

And will it continue to run without any problem if you totally disconnect it from the internet?

 

[Brds7t7]

How in the world would most users have known this? Microsoft has never, ever done forced updates until now.

I don't think most geeks were expecting this, let alone the regular folks who don't make it their point to keep up with all of these issues.

You're telling me Windows 10 home doesn't have forced updates? It's had them from day one!

Pro version also has them, those users just have a little more control as to when they're installed. You can delay an update, you can't just refuse it unlike Windows 7 & 8.1.

 

[mrjimphelps]

You're telling me Windows 10 home doesn't have forced updates? It's had them from day one!

That's not what I meant. What I meant was that during the pre-Windows 10 era, there were no forced updates. The Windows 10 era is a whole new world - it's different than what people have always known with regard to Microsoft's way of doing things.