14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 adoption improves at a satisfying pace for Microsoft, according to new data provided by StatCounter, as it finally managed to overtake Windows 7 in both the United States and Europe.
Microsoft released Windows 10 in July 2015 and offered it as a free upgrade in the first 12 months of availability, and this certainly helped boost adoption all over the world. Furthermore, an offer available for Windows 7 and 8.1 installs with accessibility features enabled still allows for Windows 10 to be downloaded free of charge, so it’s no surprise that more users perform the upgrade.
StatCounter figures indicate that part of those who switched to Windows 10 come from Windows 7, and this is one of the reasons the two operating systems switched their places in last month’s charts.
Europe vs. the US
In Europe, for example, Windows 10 is now the leading desktop operating system with a share of 41.07 percent, while Windows 7 fell to the second spot with 40.95 percent. Windows 8.1 is third and far behind with just 9.34 percent.
In the United States, Windows 10 is number one with 44.06 percent, and Windows 7 is now the runner-up with 41.26 percent, while Windows 8.1 is once again third with 8.29 percent.
Windows 10 overtaking Windows 7 can only be good news for Microsoft, mostly because end of support is approaching and the company needs to convince users to upgrade to operating systems that continue to receive updates and security patches.
Windows 7 reaches end of life in January 2020, so Windows 10 is obviously promoted as a long-term investment, as an upgrade these days ensures continued updates and security patches until at least October 14, 2025, for the Anniversary Update.
Microsoft is also releasing the Creators Update this month, and the number of users upgrading is likely to increase, which means that a new drop in Windows 7 market share is likely to be experienced.
