Although Microsoft is fully focused on Windows 10, the operating system only gained 4% in market share over the last 12 months. At this moment, Windows 7 is still the most popular Windows version, but the difference between the older OS and Windows 10 is not significant anymore.
At the beginning of this year, NetMarketshare reported a market share of 34.29% for Windows 10. The latest numbers, from November this year, show that Microsoft's latest operating system grew to only 38.14%. Windows 10 is now slightly behind Windows 7 which currently holds a market share of 38.89%. The difference in market share between both Microsoft operating systems is now a mere 0.75%.
If the ongoing trend continues, which is very, very likely, Windows 10 will finally be installed on more computers than Windows 7. At the beginning of 2018, Windows 7 's market share was 42.39%, which means the OS lost 3.5% in a year. It appears the majority of those users switched to Windows 10.
Also Windows 8.1 shows a downward trend, in January this year, the operating system was installed on 5.71% of all desktop computers, by November this year that number declined to 4.59%.
All Windows versions combined hold a market share of 87.92%, which is far more than number two, macOS X. Apple's desktop OS is installed on 9.46% of all computers. With 4.87%, the most popular macOS X version (10.13) is installed on fewer computers that one of the most unpopular, still supported, Windows versions, Windows 8.1.
Windows 8.1 is in its so-called extended support period till the 10th of January 2023. Extended support means that Microsoft doesn't add any new features but that the OS continues to receive security updates. Mainstream support of Windows 8.1 ended at the 9th of January this year.
Windows 7 (Service Pack 1) received mainstream support till the 13th of January 2015. In about a year, on the 14th of January 2020, also extended support of Windows 7 ends, which means no more security updates for the OS will be made available by Microsoft. To keep their system secure, users are advised to upgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 10.
Windows 10 users don't have to fear that their OS will be no longer supported. If they continue to install the large feature updates Microsoft makes available two times per year, their support period is extended with at least 18 months.
Windows versions that haven't been supported anymore for years, such as Windows XP and Windows Vista, are still installed on respectively 4.11% and 0.29% of all desktop computers.
