Skip to main content

Windows 8.1 marketshare set to surge past … Windows Vista

google discloses another windows security bug fix out soon 8 1 review
Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s certainly no secret that consumers have been slow to adopt both Windows 8 as well as Windows 8.1. Windows 7 continues to maintain its dominance, and even Windows XP is much more popular than anything released since Windows 7, despite the fact that its roughly 12 years of age.

While Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 combined to reach double digits in marketshare roughly a month ago, Windows 8.1’s , which was released this past October, currently stands at 3.60, according to Net Marketshare. Sure, that’s extremely low, especially considering that it was a completely free download for Windows 8 users. 

Even worse though, despite the fact that Windows 8.1 is inching upwards in terms of overall adoption, it’s actually a tiny bit less popular than Windows Vista (3.61), despite the fact that Windows Vista was released roughly eight years ago, and was not well received as well. In fact, there have been whispers recently about Microsoft employees reportedly calling Windows 8 “the new Vista.” That’s not exactly a vote of confidence for the tiled, polarizing OS.

Between that, and HP’s push to make Windows 7 and other non Windows 8 computers more visible on their site, and it’s no surprise that Windows 8.1 lags behind Vista in adoption rates. Though we expect it to surpass Vista shortly, perhaps even this week, there’s not much of a difference between a share of 3.60 and 3.90.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments below.

Editors' Recommendations

Konrad Krawczyk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…
I’m a die-hard Windows fan, but the M1 Mac Mini converted me
Apple Mac Mini M1 sitting on a desk.

I am not going to lie. I am a die-hard Windows fan. I love my Surface Laptop Studio, and I'm tuned in to every new update to Windows 11. It's not that I don't dip out of the Microsoft ecosystem from time to time, but I always find myself drawn back to its familiar embrace.

But then, the M1 Mac Mini came around. I sold my own old MacBook Pro and "traded up" to the M1 Mac Mini, eager to test out the latest hardware for myself. As much as it feels like heresy to say, this little machine has made me a believer after just two months.
The performance is amazing

Read more
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 7 vs. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
The Start Menu pulled up on the Surface Pro 8.

Microsoft's Surface Pro 8 shows up on both our best 2-in-1s and best laptops lists. It's the best detachable tablet you can buy, with an advanced display and the most realistic digital inking around. But the 360-degree convertible 2-in-1 is another flexible form factor that can function better as a clamshell laptop while still providing tablet-like functionality.

One of the best convertible 2-in-1s is the Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 7, one of the first laptops released with Intel's 12th-generation CPU. It's a solid competitor to the Surface Pro 8, albeit with a very different design -- does it have what it takes to take the place of Microsoft's 2-in-1 at the top of the heap?
Specs

Read more
Is the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 for Business good for business?
Surface Pro 8 tablet view with Windows 11 screen.

There's no doubt that Microsoft's premier detachable tablet, the Surface Pro 8, is an excellent 2-in-1 for consumers. It's fast, has a spectacular 120Hz display, supports inking with haptic feedback, and functions as both a competent clamshell laptop and a phenomenal Windows 11 tablet.

But how well does it work for business users? The short answer is "very well," but read on for some important considerations when using the Surface Pro 8 as a business machine.
Surface Pro 8 for Business

Read more