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Windows Market Share Hits Lowest Point in 15 Years

Posted 12/02/08 at 09:41:40 AM  by Paul Lilly

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Perhaps DRAM makers and Microsoft's top brass should join each other at the local watering hole and lament the state of the industry, as the two share a somewhat similar woe. The memory market is the worst it has been in 15 years, and likewise, Windows market share has dropped to a 15-year low, according to market research firm Net Applications. But the similarities end there.

While Windows market share is as low as it has been since Windows 3.11, Microsoft still dominates the landscape by claiming just under 90 percent. The problem for Microsoft, if it can be called that, is a steady decline since Net Applications started providing market share data in October 2004. At the time, Microsoft's market share was at 96.4 percent, then 95.5 percent in November 2005, 94.2 percent in November 206, and 92.4 percent in November 2007.

Hardly a landslide, but with open-source alternatives such as Firefox and Linux gaining ground in the browser and operating system arenas, Microsoft might want to take a cue from what the competition is doing right rather than running 'told you so' ad campaigns like Mojave to convince skeptical users that it's been right all along.

 Image Credit: Microsoft

COMMENTS:4
TAGS: windows, operating system, Software, OS, Market Share
COMMENTS
avatarI'd Really Like a Reliable Install

Submitted by statewd on Tue, 12/02/2008 - 12:57pm

I'd like to have a Windows install that actually lasts for 5 years without having to be reinstalled because of OS corruption.  Hey Microsoft, forget about the Features until you've actually fixed the RELIABILITY and LONGEVITY of an OS install!

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avatarI've never owned a computer

Submitted by horzo on Tue, 12/02/2008 - 3:23pm

I've never owned a computer for five years much less kept a single installation of Windows around for that long. If it makes you feel better, my current Vista install has been in place since August 2007 and runs just as well as the first day. Better, in fact, since subsequent driver updates have streamlined things a bit.

Step one toward Windows happiness... the first thing you should do after installation is turn off the "windows search" service and the "recovery" tool.

 

 

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avatarGood idea, but put in your

Submitted by horzo on Tue, 12/02/2008 - 9:12am

Good idea, but put in your back pocket for 18 months or so. I don't see much point in trying to save the public perception of Vista at this point, M$ lost the media war long ago. When Windows 7 launches, they can do the full-on, "We've learned so much and have been humbled, but our new product is the best!" thing.

 

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avatarThe Hard Sell approach

Submitted by Shalbatana on Tue, 12/02/2008 - 8:13am

 Were pride not a factor, the best thing Microsoft could do re:vista would be to make a simple ad, where someone comes on the TV and flat out says "By now you've all heard the tale that Vista wasn't perfect at it's launch. Well I'm here to assure you that we've worked long and hard to correct any issues, and improve performance across the board. Vista is now a powerful and stable operating system with features unmatched by any other OS, and an emphasis on security and reliability.

We've learned some powerful lessons and strive day in and day out to enhance not only our operating system, but all our products, to make them better for you. I urge you to put the stories behind you, and try Vista for yourself. You won't be disappointed."

 

A 30 second spot like that would do more for Microsoft's image than any over-paid (however great and respectable) actor in a 3 minute commercial  could ever do.

 ...... were pride not a factor.

_______________________________

"There's no time like the future."

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