Windows domination continues - Windows 7 now holds third place in worldwide OS market share



Microsoft, the leading computer operating system manufacturer accounts over 80% of worldwide OS share. And now its latest available version playing its heritage duties.
 

Statistics firm StatCounter released their latest worldwide operating system stats today. The firm says that Windows 7 now accounts for 33.2% of all worldwide OS market share, compared to Windows XP which now accounts for 45.87%. Microsoft’s downward spiral for Windows XP, a popular operating system released originally in 2001, continues to continue. Windows 7 is experiencing impressive gains globally but has yet to pass Windows XP market share worldwide. Neowin estimates that Windows 7 could overtake Windows XP in time for the holiday season later this year.

As of today, over 20% of Internet-connected PCs worldwide are running Windows 7 according to Net Applications. It was an incredibly successful year for Windows 7 in 2010. Microsoft’s success with Windows 7 began before the product was even widely available. Released in October 2009, the operating system has received praise from consumers, businesses and the media. In November 2009, Windows 7 managed to surpass Apple’s Snow Leopard market share in just two weeks. In early February 2010 it was revealed that Windows 7 had reached 10% market share in just three months.

Windows 7 has also driven an uptake of 64-bit computing. According to ChangeBASE research, conducted with senior IT decision makers, more than 65% of businesses hoped to migrate to Windows 7 within 12 months of its release. Over 50% of those migrating will be choosing the 64-bit route. Microsoft confirmed in July that nearly half of all Windows 7 PCs run 64-bit versions. Forrester Research revealed in November that 1 in 10 PCs within North America and European companies are powered by Windows 7.

Windows 7 recently celebrated its first birthday after selling over 240 million licenses in the first year of sales. Microsoft revealed in late January that the software maker has now shipped over 300 million licenses of Windows 7.







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