Windows XP refuses to die – StatCounter

2 Sep 2014

Despite support being dropped by Microsoft earlier this year, Windows XP refuses to die and remains the world’s second most popular operating system, according to StatCounter.

Launched in 2001, Windows XP has 12.9pc share of the world’s operating systems on computers. Microsoft discontinued support for XP earlier this year, leaving computers running XP wide open to virus and hacker attacks.

No 1 in the world is Windows 7, which has a 50pc share and which was launched in 2009.

Latest figures from the analytics player show that Windows 8.1 has surpassed Windows 8 for the first time in terms of internet usage worldwide.

For the first time globally, the combined total of windows 8 and 8.1 (14pc) overtook XP in August.

Stubborn refusal of XP to retire

Windows 8.1 worldwide has grown steadily to 7.5pc in August ahead of Windows 8 (6.6pc). The newer operating system overtook its sibling in the UK in April, in the US in May and in Ireland in June. In Ireland, Windows 8.1 is now on 10.2pc ahead of Windows 8 on 6.9pc. The data covers desktop, tablet and console.

“Following a mixed reaction to Windows 8, perhaps because of its radical new look, Windows 8.1 appears to be winning over users,” said Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter.

However, he added that the stubborn refusal of Windows XP to retire almost five months after the ending of non-paid support is a concern in terms of security and virus risks for remaining users.

Windows image via Shutterstock

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com