Windows 7 users start to decline as Windows 10 reaches all-time high

[midian182]

What just happened? It's been popular for many years now, but Windows 7’s market share is quickly decreasing. The aging operating system’s extended support phase comes to an end in January next year and, as expected, more people are moving to Windows 10, which has its highest user numbers ever.

Windows 7 is a decade old now. It exited mainstream support and entered its extended support phase in January 2015, which meant users could still get free critical security patches, bug fixes, and technical support for the next five years.

With the end of that period in sight, and Microsoft sending out push notifications to Win 7 owners advising them to upgrade, a fall in user numbers was predicted. It looked like the beginning of the end back in December when Windows 10 finally became the most popular desktop OS, but Windows 7’s market share had been increasing slightly since then. March, however, saw a sharp decline.

Analytics company Netmarketshare’s latest report puts Windows 7’s share of the market at 36.5 percent—its lowest in recent times. Windows 10, meanwhile, has reached a record high of 43.6 percent.

The data suggests Windows 7 is finally starting to fade into nothingness, but there will still be business and education customers who can pay to receive extended security updates (ESUs) after January 14 next year. This works on a per-device basis, and doubles in price every year for three years, meaning it will likely be cheaper for organizations to upgrade their entire networks to Windows 10.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/79465-windows-7-users-start-decline-windows-10-reaches.html

 

[Uncle Al]

Still wish some enterprising person would create a start up to keep Windows 7 "up to date" and release regular patches for some nominal cost, like $20 per year .....

 

[QuantumPhysics]

I'm happier with Windows 10 than I've ever been with any Windows before it.

 

[loki1944]

Still rockin' W7 on my 6850K@4.6Ghz. So much less @sspain than my laptop with W10. Freedom vs socialism basically.

 

[trparky]

Still wish some enterprising person would create a start up to keep Windows 7 "up to date" and release regular patches for some nominal cost, like $20 per year .....

And watch Microsoft file a lawsuit against them, they would never stand for that to happen.

And besides, Windows 10 is not nearly as bad as it once was. I'll admit Windows 10 was pretty bad when it first came out and it was buggy as all get out but today it's not nearly as bad. It's a whole lot better than it was three years ago.

 

[ShagnWagn]

Does anyone know which update we need to block so we don't get spam notices about this?

Until they completely get rid of their privacy invasion and telemetry issues, I will not use Win10. I have at least a half dozen computers I could add to their already padded and false numbers, but it's not going to happen.

 

[DelJo63]

And we diehards still on 7 don't give a rip one way or the other. When win/7 dies, I'll move back to a Mac.

 

[psycros]

Does anyone know which update we need to block so we don't get spam notices about this?

Until they completely get rid of their privacy invasion and telemetry issues, I will not use Win10. I have at least a half dozen computers I could add to their already padded and false numbers, but it's not going to happen.

Don't forget the horrible usability and the useless touch UI that you have to drill through to get to the *real* controls, I.e. the ones ported directly from Windows 7. Despite the hopeless interface and compatibility issues I'd say the majority of people I know are now running Windows 10 as their main OS, but that's mostly because their either serious gamers, herd followers or both. I know of very few people who actually *upgraded* to Windows 10 - its always a new PC build or purchase that has it. Frankly I'm not the least bit concerned about the ending of support for Windows 7. Its so ridiculously solid at this point and all the serious exploits have been found. Microsoft will literally have to start providing updates that intentionally break it to motivate further migration..and they WILL do this, so make sure you have a series of incremental backups for your installs so you can roll back when they sabotage things. I recommend backing up every other week with three months worth of history at least.

 

[ShagnWagn]

Don't forget the horrible usability and the useless touch UI that you have to drill through to get to the *real* controls, I.e. the ones ported directly from Windows 7. Despite the hopeless interface and compatibility issues I'd say the majority of people I know are now running Windows 10 as their main OS, but that's mostly because their either serious gamers, herd followers or both. I know of very few people who actually *upgraded* to Windows 10 - its always a new PC build or purchase that has it. Frankly I'm not the least bit concerned about the ending of support for Windows 7. Its so ridiculously solid at this point and all the serious exploits have been found. Microsoft will literally have to start providing updates that intentionally break it to motivate further migration..and they WILL do this, so make sure you have a series of incremental backups for your installs so you can roll back when they sabotage things. I recommend backing up every other week with three months worth of history at least.

I have always loved installing their new operating systems near when they come out. Except Win95/98. I stayed with DOS/Win3.11 for years until Win98SE came out. This was because of issues with the OS and no requirements to upgrade.
I bought Vista when it came out, to my disappointment.
Win10? No way will I install it with a personal use computer. MS has some serious privacy issues. I am real surprised a class action lawsuit hasn't brought them down yet. Not just for that, but the malware upgrades they did. Uncountable millions of labor hours lost around the world. Minimum of 2 hours of labor - per person per upgrade should possibly satisfy most. How many upgrades are they touting now? That's a crapton of cash from their vaults.

 

[Verrm]

Does anyone know which update we need to block so we don't get spam notices about this?

Until they completely get rid of their privacy invasion and telemetry issues, I will not use Win10. I have at least a half dozen computers I could add to their already padded and false numbers, but it's not going to happen.

Don't forget the horrible usability and the useless touch UI that you have to drill through to get to the *real* controls, I.e. the ones ported directly from Windows 7. Despite the hopeless interface and compatibility issues I'd say the majority of people I know are now running Windows 10 as their main OS, but that's mostly because their either serious gamers, herd followers or both. I know of very few people who actually *upgraded* to Windows 10 - its always a new PC build or purchase that has it. Frankly I'm not the least bit concerned about the ending of support for Windows 7. Its so ridiculously solid at this point and all the serious exploits have been found. Microsoft will literally have to start providing updates that intentionally break it to motivate further migration..and they WILL do this, so make sure you have a series of incremental backups for your installs so you can roll back when they sabotage things. I recommend backing up every other week with three months worth of history at least.

Nah man, just open menu start and type "control panel" and hit Enter. BOOM, you're in old school full control. Not hard to do, sometimes faster then on win7 once you note how far into typing you can hit enter

 

[Don Vanderpool]

I just upgraded to windows 7 from windows 10.

10 is terrible

 

[IAMTHESTIG]

I will really miss 7, as I did XP... The only reason I had to go to 10 on my gaming PC is because stupid Oculus Rift software won't work on Win7. Everything was working fine until then.

I agree 10 has caused so many headaches, and I've spent so much time as a sysadmin at work trying to customize GPO's, scripts, and reghacks to attempt to get the desired user settings yet ultimately have failed. We still have a broken a$$ system due to the limitations 10 presents for our users and M$FT support has basically put their hands up and won't help us anymore; because they know the features and settings we used to do with Win7 don't work in Win10.

It is disgusting but unfortunately we have no other route to go, Windows still offers the most enterprise level management (albeit broken) compared to Mac or Linux distros so we have to go with it and give them our money even though they sure as hell don't deserve it.

 

[Diabolik707]

Still rockin' W7 on my 6850K@4.6Ghz. So much less @sspain than my laptop with W10. Freedom vs socialism basically.

That's like saying I'd rather have down than left... What you really mean is you'd rather have down ( libertarianism ) than up ( totalitarianism ). It's not on the same axis.

You can have bottom right ( according to some, altho I have my doubts, "An"Cap ), bottom left ( AnCom ), top left and top right... All four are possible. Don't mix your axes

 

[Evernessince]

Still wish some enterprising person would create a start up to keep Windows 7 "up to date" and release regular patches for some nominal cost, like $20 per year .....

Windows isn't closed source. No one but microsoft has access to the code and thus no one but them can release updates.

If you want to support a windows alternative, donate to ReactOS. They are building an operating system that can run windows apps.

 

[texasrattler]

Still wish some enterprising person would create a start up to keep Windows 7 "up to date" and release regular patches for some nominal cost, like $20 per year .....

And watch Microsoft file a lawsuit against them, they would never stand for that to happen.

And besides, Windows 10 is not nearly as bad as it once was. I'll admit Windows 10 was pretty bad when it first came out and it was buggy as all get out but today it's not nearly as bad. It's a whole lot better than it was three years ago.

What are you talking about, windows 10 had a better launch than 7 did. Meaning it had less problems than 7. This has even been stated many times even on this site.

 

[toooooot]

I, win 10, user live in fear.Updates killed my OS once. I know the d day 2 is coming one day.

 

[DaveBG]

I have used windows 3.11, NT, 95, 98, 98SE, ME, 2000 (one of the best windows along 7), 2003 (maybe the longest time used after 7), XP, Vista (for a few days), 7 and 10. Windows 10 is the worst of all.

 

[Don Vanderpool]

I have used windows 3.11, NT, 95, 98, 98SE, ME, 2000 (one of the best windows along 7), 2003 (maybe the longest time used after 7), XP, Vista (for a few days), 7 and 10. Windows 10 is the worst of all.

I have used all of those as well and I quite agree.

 

[Dimitrios]

Sadly DX11 still runs better than DX12! I will hold on to WINDOWS 7 until most games require DX12.

I'm still waiting for that POLISHED W10............................................

 

[captaincranky]

That's like saying I'd rather have down than left... What you really mean is you'd rather have down ( libertarianism ) than up ( totalitarianism ). It's not on the same axis.

You can have bottom right ( according to some, altho I have my doubts, "An"Cap ), bottom left ( AnCom ), top left and top right... All four are possible. Don't mix your axes

I take it you live in a state which has legalized marijuana for recreational purposes..

 

[zavrix]

Maybe one day this will be finished and work well so I can ditch MS and their bullshit.
https://www.reactos.org/

 

[ShagnWagn]

Sadly DX11 still runs better than DX12! I will hold on to WINDOWS 7 until most games require DX12.

I'm still waiting for that POLISHED W10............................................

POLISHED... turd?

The games I play all still run great on my Win7 with a 980 GT. On the next rig I build (if video card prices ever go back to normal), it will be with Linux. If games require Win10 only (no Win7 or Linux support) then game companies will not be getting any of my cash.

I had to put Win10 on my personal workstation (I'm a server admin). It took several hours to turn all the bullcrap off and set everything into a somewhat useful (not a headache) configuration. What still ticks me off is that even though this is the paid version - Enterprise - they STILL force the privacy invasion and telemetry on corporate customers. Really MS? Forcing your corporate customers to upload company data to your servers without their consent?

 

[treetops]

I wouldn't be surprised if directx 12 somehow comes to windows 7 when it becomes relevant. Oh wait I looked into that has existed for years!

!Looks like you can already use direct x 12 like software on windows 7, it's called Vulkan!

As many games are supported by Vulkan as they are direct x 12! Looks like will never have to update to 10. How about someone writes an article about Vulkan....

https://developer.nvidia.com/vulkan-driver

And there are half a dozen other free competitors that will help you do they same thing as Vulkan....

p.s. lol I think I already used this for doom back in 2016...

 

[Roy Mepham]

Does anyone know which update we need to block so we don't get spam notices about this?

Until they completely get rid of their privacy invasion and telemetry issues, I will not use Win10. I have at least a half dozen computers I could add to their already padded and false numbers, but it's not going to happen.

Don't forget the horrible usability and the useless touch UI that you have to drill through to get to the *real* controls, I.e. the ones ported directly from Windows 7. Despite the hopeless interface and compatibility issues I'd say the majority of people I know are now running Windows 10 as their main OS, but that's mostly because their either serious gamers, herd followers or both. I know of very few people who actually *upgraded* to Windows 10 - its always a new PC build or purchase that has it. Frankly I'm not the least bit concerned about the ending of support for Windows 7. Its so ridiculously solid at this point and all the serious exploits have been found. Microsoft will literally have to start providing updates that intentionally break it to motivate further migration..and they WILL do this, so make sure you have a series of incremental backups for your installs so you can roll back when they sabotage things. I recommend backing up every other week with three months worth of history at least.

I love windows 7 but I use Windows 10 as my main OS simply because it serves my purposes as a gamer and it is the de facto OS for most people.
I cannot stay online with a defunct OS - which Windows 7 is about to become - it's bad enough with a completely patched system.

 

[arrowflash]

Frankly I'm not the least bit concerned about the ending of support for Windows 7. Its so ridiculously solid at this point and all the serious exploits have been found. Microsoft will literally have to start providing updates that intentionally break it to motivate further migration..and they WILL do this, so make sure you have a series of incremental backups for your installs so you can roll back when they sabotage things. I recommend backing up every other week with three months worth of history at least.

Like I have said before in other past thread, Microsoft has already been sabotaging Windows 7 for more than a year. Starting with the Spectre hotfix, but not ending with it, every new cumulative update for Windows 7 and Windows 2008R2 make the system slower and more unresponsive than before. It's very noticeable if you're running it in an older, slower PC or a virtual machine with limited resource allocation.

They're doing the same with Windows 8.1 / 2012R2 by the way.