Windows 10 is the fifth most-used operating system on desktop computers right now, says a report from Softpedia, which cites new statistics. It has already surpassed Windows 8, which is powering only 3.29% of PCs around the globe.
Windows 7 and Windows XP – barriers to Windows 10 growth
For Microsoft, Windows 10’s surpassing of Windows 8 is good news, but the sad news is that Windows 7 still remains the most popular desktop operating system with a market share above 50%. Windows 7 is running on 52.57% of PCs worldwide right now, suggesting that more than one in two people still use the OS version launched way back in 2009.
Another interesting find is that Windows XP is still the preferred choice of 9.48% desktop users. This version of the OS has not been receiving updates and security patches since April 2014, thus increasing the risk of getting hacked, but it seems that security is not a major concern to a big part of users. The fourth spot has been acquired by OS X with usage on 8.63% desktops, followed by Windows 10 with 7.63% and Windows 8 with only 3.29%.
Microsoft forcing Windows 10 on users
These numbers must be taken with a grain of salt as they’re based on the page views of websites running their tracking code. But they still give an idea of how well Windows 10 is performing after launch. Microsoft is aiming to bring Windows 10 to 1 billion devices by 2017, and it will be interesting to see if the new OS is able to reduce the gap between it and Windows 7.
Nevertheless, Microsoft is leaving no stone unturned as it tries to hit its target. We already know that Windows 10 automatically downloads for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users who have chosen to upgrade. But Microsoft has gone one step ahead, now confirming that Windows 10 will automatically download on all computers, irrespective of whether or not users have opted for the upgrade, says a report from Forbes.
This shocking development was first discovered by The Inquirer when one of its reader reported that Windows 10 got downloaded on their system even when they expressly rejected the option to upgrade. “The symptoms are repeated failed ‘Upgrade to Windows 10? in the WU update history and a huge 3.5GB to 6GB hidden folder labelled ‘$Windows.~BT’,” the reader said.
