Despite being Microsoft's biggest launch for a decade, it looks like Windows 8 is having less of an impact than its predecessor, according to a new survey.
The online study, by Toluna QuickSurveys, says just 39 per cent of PC owners are planning on upgrading to Microsoft's latest operating system, the Guardian reports. Windows 7 is the most-used OS among the survey's respondents, with 28 per cent saying they use it to boot up. Just 14 per cent have already upgraded to Windows 8.
Things are a little better when it comes to tablets, though. The proportion of respondents planning on buying a Windows 8-powered tablet (13 per cent) is about equal with those who want one running iOS or Android. But unfortunately for Microsoft, Windows RT -- which runs on its Surface device -- was the least popular tablet OS, with just 2 per cent.
These figures support what we've been hearing elsewhere, too. Last week came word from a source within Microsoft that sales of Windows 8 PCs were "well below Microsoft's internal projections". The company was said to have described sales as "disappointing". All we have by way of official figures is that Microsoft has sold 4 million copies of Windows 8, and that sales of its Surface tablet have been "modest".
Windows 7 was adopted at a much faster rate, according to the Guardian. When that OS launched three years ago, stats showed that within a week and a half it accounted for 3.6 per cent of all PCs tracked by research company Net Applications. Windows 8 has been on sale about a month now, and only makes up 1.01 per cent of all users visiting sites tracked by the same company.
All of which has to be galling for Microsoft, even if you acknowledge Windows 7 had a running start from users desperate to ditch the dismal Windows Vista.
Have you upgraded to Windows 8? What do you think of it? Let me know in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 27
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anonymous 25 November, 2012 12:16
40% of 1 billion is 400 million PCs... Very disappointing.
anonymous 25 November, 2012 12:29
windows 8 rt trash, apps are trash ,no support looking for class action partners cant believe I paid for this trash, cant run most programs trash.
Jakee 25 November, 2012 13:15
Windows Vista was horrid, most people running Vista couldn't wait for Windows 7 and because Windows 7 is so good many people are quite happy to sit tight with it. Thats why I think Windows 8 isn't very popular.
Peter Hudson 25 November, 2012 13:18
I figured that there's no point in moaning about the Metro UI, or the Apps. This is the way that Windows is going to be from now on so we might as well upgrade now while it is cheap. The apps will come and the Metro UI isn't going anywhere so we might as well get used to it.
Lucas Baker 25 November, 2012 13:25
I play minecraft and a lot of steam games, will I still be able to run them on windows 8
macu 25 November, 2012 13:27
No chance of me installing it on the desktop, because even on a laptop the apps screen feels jarring when you go into the normal desktop interface.
It should be all or nothing, not some half-way house between tablet and PC
anonymous 25 November, 2012 13:28
Apart from seeing the weather in a prettier app, there doesn't seem to be many reasons to upgrade from Win7 if you're in the 99% of users who don't have a touchscreen.
I imagine we'll all end up with Win8 when we get around to upgrading our laptops... in about 2016 in the current economy!
anonymous 25 November, 2012 14:11
Think I might switch from OSX............... Not!
anonymous 25 November, 2012 15:24
I have a touch screen and I upgraded on very first day to Windows 8. It's stunning!!! Would never consider to go back to 7. Even OSX which is a popular option amongst the trolls looks very much obsolete now. Forget all your past experiences and get a taste of the future, it's worth it. I even started to hate my iPad2, I don't even touch it. It's just a bigger iPod touch. I'll put it on ebay and will get the next Surface or the Windows tablet made by Samsung. After seeing the Apple's patent wars I would never touch an Apple device again.
anonymous 25 November, 2012 19:07
interesting how soo many people who have still not used windows 8 hate it?
I made the switch a month ago when the release version was on MSDN, its essentially windows 7 without the start button and its much faster, with added internet 'apps'
Even at work all new laptops/ desktops are being built with windows 8.
The real problem is with soo many people barely off windows XP is it worth making the switch to Win 8 now?
Many businesses (especially) have only just start rolling out/ rolled out windows 7 within their organisations, so why spend more money upgrading to windows 8.
anonymous 25 November, 2012 22:50
Think the public is a bit scared by the negative press which yet have given the OS a great scores. Windows 8 is great and very nice to use and the learning curve.. describes as hard.. is actually easy and takes about 2 hours to get used too after that most will never looked back. This goes for desktops, laptops and tablets.. but it will take some time for people to take the move and maybe this will not happen before Windows 9 or 10. For me Windows 8 is a great experience and by far the best OS currently around for any platform. Companies normally skip one version this is pretty standard.. so Windows 8 will not be popular on that front since most has just moved or about to finish moves to Windows 7.
anonymous 25 November, 2012 23:09
I know I.T. I've been managing networks for over ten years and I can state that win8 is the most painful thing you'll ever use...
anonymous 25 November, 2012 23:27
Maybe it is because you only have 10 years of experience that you find it painfull? To use your statement I know IT I've been managing networks for over 22 years and Windows 8 is a pleasure and a breeze. Even my kids which are not much older than your "experience" find it easy and fun to use.
anonymous 26 November, 2012 07:26
So much depends on W8 sparking new PC sales, but...
1. There is PC saturation in the domestic space.
2. Most PC's a plenty good enough now and won't need replacing for a while.
3. W7 is good enough for most people.
4. Upgrade mania is in the past.
5. There's a recession.
6. Mac OSX has taken a big slice of the premium decktop/laptop market.
Is it any surprise that people aren't rushing out to buy another PC or uprade to the new OS?
anonymous 26 November, 2012 07:54
+1 agreeing with jakee. People don't see why they should change from a great OS, whereas with Vista they were changing from a rubbish one
anonymous 26 November, 2012 08:01
I have a mix of windows 7 and windows 8.
I upgraded my wife's machine from XP to Windows 8 and it has been brilliant. It is a much better OS - it boots MUCH faster and is much easier for her to find what she is looking for.
I have also bought an ASUS S200 touchscreen laptop and again really love the ability to move between touchscreen and mouse. In terms of my windows 7 PC I am a little cautious but you can re-create a Windows 7 style PC if you want to and I may well upgrade to enable all the PC's to be on the same OS.
Paul Clarke 26 November, 2012 10:02
Gotta be honest - I hadn't intended to move to Win8, but after playing with it on an old machine and seeing how quick it is I have bitten the bullet and really enjoy it.
It does take a bit to get used to but it's really quick.
anonymous 26 November, 2012 11:18
window 8 pro not so bad though i hate how we have to use it in different way and the way it look like window phone operating system but we do need change.. i have recently used win 8 pro and all it was good not so bad as people said but the way we have to perform the operating system is different.. I dont know more about it but most of the software and driver from third party install properly which i have already in laptop only intel pro wifi and fingerprint reader need update for me and everythind goes well ,,, so i give 5 out of 3 score to window 8 pro only not for other window 8 the way it look after unlocking the face of window 8 really suck it look like big phone carrying on my thigh while using laptop but i am impress with performance and comeon guys dont compare with window vista ... time change past is past ....
anonymous 26 November, 2012 13:31
It wont be long before MS roll out an update to allow the UI to resemble that of Win7, maybe then it will pick up.Can't see it happening before something like this happens, and I am baffled by MS reasoning to attempt to have a single OS UI across all devices more or less. Tablets are Tablets, and Desktops are Desktops. I own an all-in-one Touchscreen workstation and still would not consider putting Win8 on it. The increase in performance with Win8 is undeniable, but I would rather keep Win7 and install an SSD for my performance boost, not upgrade my OS to something that is frankly ugly, and not at all tailored to desktop use.
anonymous 26 November, 2012 14:29
we have upgraded to windows 8. I have not noted any problems. I think the real challenge here is that Windows 7 also runs well. Hence, why would you want to replace an operating system that is functioning well with another operating system?
georg55 26 November, 2012 17:25
I have installed win 8 on my desktop and my 5 year old laptop,which was slow with vista,I upgraded the hdrive to 320 data, it is fast.I am very happy with win 8. Nothing to learn if you can use a pc competently.I really don't care if other people don't upgrade as I am one satisfied customer,2copies for price of I win 7 that I overwrite on my touch screen desktop.
Davinder Sangha 26 November, 2012 18:48
Vista was a disaster, so it's no surprise that 7 took off the way it did. 8 will soon catch on. I've moved back to Windows from OS X, including changing my iPad to a Surface. Only disappointment is the lack of news and magazine apps which will let you download on to it. I'm patient, though.
Lucas Baker 26 November, 2012 19:03
Windows 8 isnt that bad I had the consumer preview before it came out and now i'm downloading the official version. Even though vista was terrible and 7 was really good it doesnt make 8 bad most of you havent even used it and eventually you're all gonna have to upgrade when they phase out 7
Kumar Velayutham 27 November, 2012 12:51
Windows 8 is awesome.. think most people are scared that it would be too complicated to adapt.. but the truth is its so incredibly easy to use.
anonymous 18 January, 2013 13:56
Having looked into Windows 8... no way I am upgrading. I like the classic PC feel of Windows 7, don't need my PC looking like a giant tablet.
anonymous 5 March, 2013 23:40
Windows 8 is very good for some people, and bad for the rest
and People need to use it to like it
brackvakic 11 May, 2013 20:03
I like Windows and I think Windows 8 is great. Eg, a convertible laptop you get the touchscreen metro interface then when you dock it you've got access to the full on Windows desktop.
But, as a Windows desktop user I see no advantage at all of 8 over 7. I almost upgraded for £25 but I couldn't find a definitive answer on whether my drivers would work, so I didn't bother. W8 is great and for new computers I'd go for it but I see no reason to upgrade .