Microsoft gears up for Windows 8 launch while XP still dominates

Barring the poorly-received Windows Vista, Microsoft's operating systems typically enjoy significant usage rates even as new iterations are released. Based on new statistics, the 10-year-old Windows XP is no different, holding a nine-point lead over new kid on the block Windows 7 in the desktop OS market. The latter could grab the top spot in 2012, however.

ADVERTISEMENT

Published by NetMarketshare, last month's numbers showed Windows XP holding a 46 percent share of desktop OS and Windows 7 with 37 percent. Findings from the site's February 2011 report placed Windows XP at nearly 58 percent, with Windows 7 at less than 25 percent.

The new OS, which launched a little over two years ago, is on pace to surpass its predecessor in 2012.

Windows Vista, the black sheep of the family, saw its share fall three points in the past 10 months to 8.4 percent. To put that into perspective, Mac OS X versions 10.6 and 10.7, plus assorted others, came in at slightly less when combined.

ADVERTISEMENT

Despite XP's long-lasting appeal, Microsoft is ready to move on. The Redmond company said last July that it will end support for the aged software in April 2014.

An official release date for Microsoft's Windows 8 has yet to be announced. A special preview build of the upcoming OS was made available to developers at the company's annual BUILD conference in September. (via CNet)

No posts to display