Windows 10 Continues To Close in On Windows 7 (betanews.com)

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Windows 10 Continues To Close in On Windows 7 (betanews.com)

Posted by msmash on Wednesday August 1, 2018 @08:00AM from the aggressive-expansion dept.

An anonymous reader writes: NetMarketShare reports on the state of the desktop operating system market on the first day of each month. [...] In July, [the market share of] Windows 10 went from 35.71 percent to 36.58 percent, an increase of 0.87 percentage points. That's down from the 0.97 percentage points it grew in June, but shows that the OS is still packing on share at a steady rate. In July, Windows 7 lost 0.51 percentage points and now sits on 41.23 percent, just 4.65 percentage points ahead of the newer OS.

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Spyware... by b0s0z0ku · 2018-08-01 08:04 · Score: 5, Insightful

Spyware continues to be forced on users ... news at 11.
1. Re:Spyware... by Kenja · 2018-08-01 08:12 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  You're comments have been noted, and are being added to your permanent record.
  
  --
  
  "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
2. Re:Spyware... by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · 2018-08-01 08:34 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Mine hasn't. You see, in Windows 7, you can choose which updates you install...
  
  --
  If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
3. Re: Spyware... by Anonymous Coward · 2018-08-01 09:21 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  I have yet to see a convincing account of what information Windows 10 actually sends to MS. Microsoft certainly hasn't been transparent about it?
  If it's innocuous, why not give users the option to turn it off?
4. Re:Spyware... by Anonymous Coward · 2018-08-01 09:21 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  You can tell Fake News from real news.
  How can you tell real telemetry vs spyware? You cannot. Therefore assume the worst.
5. Re:Spyware... by Anonymous Coward · 2018-08-01 09:31 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  Run Tronscript after updates. It removes Windows 7 telemetry updates automagically.
6. Re:Spyware... by datavirtue · 2018-08-01 10:33 · Score: 2
  
  Thousands of refurbished corporate laptops and desktops...yes. Most are in perfect condition and have gobs of RAM and modern CPUs.
  
  --
  I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
7. Re:Spyware... by UnknownSoldier · 2018-08-01 11:49 · Score: 2
  
  Indeed.
  Is there a full descriptive list of recommended KB updates to install since MS can't actually provide a 1-line summary of each KB ?
8. Re:Spyware... by Kjella · 2018-08-01 11:52 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Mine hasn't. You see, in Windows 7, you can choose which updates you install...
  Only if you've stopped installing updates entirely or been exceptionally diligent. If you've installed any of the rollup patches available through Windows Update since October 2016 you got it all. Even the one that says security is actually security for this month plus both security and non-security patches from previous months if you read the fine print, you're just one month behind on the spyware. The only way to get security-only patches on a home version version of Windows is to download them from WSUS via a third-party tool and install them manually, one per month. Note that these are not cumulative so if you need to reinstall you need all of them.
  
  --
  Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
9. Re: Spyware... by SeaFox · 2018-08-01 17:33 · Score: 2
  
  Yeah, because I'm sure Microsoft doesn't have their own second CA list built into Windows you can't alter.
  Kinda like how you can just block Microsoft's servers in your HOSTS file and it wont just ignore it. Oh wait, they've been doing that since XP.
ORLY? by Artem+S.+Tashkinov · 2018-08-01 08:12 · Score: 5, Insightful

And Windows 10 continues to be the only Windows OS being offered by OEMs and Microsoft itself. With older computers dying or being utilized, you have to wonder which OS is going to become more widespread. Except you don't.
Oh, and Windows 7 will cease to be supported in 2020 while Windows 8 expiry date is set to 2023.
1. Re:ORLY? by GerryGilmore · 2018-08-01 08:18 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  And that is just another reason that I am *SO* glad that I switched to Linux years ago.
  Anyone whining about Windows today has only themselves to blame.
2. Re:ORLY? by nukenerd · 2018-08-01 08:49 · Score: 2
  
  No, it's because a software company is using an OS as a trojan horse for spyware and preventing you from controlling your own PC.
3. Re: ORLY? by Artem+S.+Tashkinov · 2018-08-01 09:30 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  It's sad that people cannot or choose not to use Google. From ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet ) Windows lifecycle fact sheet: Client operating systems End of mainstream support End of extended support Windows 8.1 January 9, 2018 January 10, 2023 Windows 7, service pack 1* January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020
4. Re:ORLY? by GerryGilmore · 2018-08-01 10:21 · Score: 2
  
  Not to mention FORCING you to migrate to their latest shiny, new, "mobile" interface, while said upgrades break and change things willy-nilly. Oh! Let's not forget that the most trivial "update" requires at least one - if not more - reboots which always occur at the most inopportune times. LOTS of reasons to ditch Windows.
Well... by erp_consultant · 2018-08-01 08:17 · Score: 4, Insightful

It's not like people are "adopting" anything. If you buy a new PC it's going to come pre-installed with Windows 10, unless it's a MAC. A better indicator would be how many people are buying a Windows 10 disc and voluntarily replacing their current OS with it. I suspect that number is very very low.
1. Re:Well... by Luckyo · 2018-08-01 10:03 · Score: 2
  
  They shouldn't be, considering that the offer for "free downgrade to windows 10" has expired.
Upgrades. by jellomizer · 2018-08-01 08:17 · Score: 4, Interesting

Being that PC's are being sold at a higher rate for the first time in a while, We can expect to see Windows 10 market share to go up.
As much as we want to Hate on Windows 10... Microsoft Windows Sales have been tied to General PC Sales. The length of Windows 7 in the market is mostly due to the fact that Windows 7 PC's have been the primary computers for people for many years, and now these systems are start to show their age and become out of date. Back before Windows 7 the Average Live Span for a PC was 4-6 years now it is 6-10 years. Thanks mostly in part to Mobile devices that forced OS makers and software designers to focus more on lower end systems. So That 2008 Windows 7 PC, for most people would be finally really showing its age. 4Gigs of Ram is getting tight, and that Duel Core is quite quaint. So people get a new computer and they Get Windows 10 on it.
Previous to Windows 7 That 2002 PC in 2008 would be really showing its age. and that 1998 vs 2002 PC would show age too.
The Slow increase of Windows 10, is just because PC Sales have been slow too.

--
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
1. Re:Upgrades. by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · 2018-08-01 08:43 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  As much as we want to Hate on Windows 10... Microsoft Windows Sales have been tied to General PC Sales.
  Maybe PC sales were lower in part because of waiting for and then disappointment with Windows 10. From the correlation alone, we can't tell.
  Your fundamental point is valid, but it's pretty embarrassing for Microsoft that its shiny new flagship product still hasn't overtaken its tried-and-tested legacy product after all this time, even though they literally gave it away to any home user who wanted to upgrade (and apparently a few who didn't...) and stopped offering the alternatives so anyone buying those new computers can't choose the older version even if they'd prefer it.
  
  --
  If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
2. Re:Upgrades. by nukenerd · 2018-08-01 09:06 · Score: 2
  
  it's pretty embarrassing for Microsoft that its shiny new flagship product still hasn't overtaken its tried-and-tested legacy product after all this time, even though they literally gave it away to any home user who wanted to upgrade (and apparently a few who didn't...)
  "gave it away to any ... who wanted" is an understatement - more like "forced upon even those who did not want" *. Given that, I am amazed that the Win7 share remains as high as it is. I understand that the "upgrade" happened to the user unless he made some effort to avoid it - in my case I disabled upgrades in Win7.
  * I know, I know, MS apologists will deny it was a forced upgrade because it was possible to avoid it, even though the average Joe would not have known how, or even been aware of the upgrade shenanigan before it happened to them (even if then).
3. Re:Upgrades. by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · 2018-08-01 11:50 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Except for the few neck beards that hang around here, most people love Windows 10.
  Of course they do. That's why there are still more Windows 7 users even several years after 10 launched.
  
  --
  If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
Oh well by oldgraybeard · 2018-08-01 08:17 · Score: 4, Interesting

This is as expected. Microsoft per their marketing plan will force as many as they can on to Windows 10. Up to this point I have resisted and still run Windows 7 Pro on my Windows workstations. Not sure I will ever go for Windows 10. Or just phase Windows workstations out and stick to my Linux and Mac workstations. I stopped doing Windows development work over 10 years ago anyway. And just keep 1 Windows 7 Pro workstation at my office and one in my home office now.

One thing I do know "I will never use a DaaS workstation for any of my development work or to run my business". Heck, I don't even use any cloud based apps for any real work.

Just my 2 cents ;)
1. Re:Oh well by deKernel · 2018-08-01 08:56 · Score: 2
  
  Make a suggestion, virtualize the environment and call it a day. Personally, I have been using VMWare for years now, and I doubt I will go back. I have several VM's depending on customers requirements so I just spool up the VM and off I go. If your host hardware dies, just reinstall (I use Linux) the OS, install VMWare and bring over backups of the VMs and you are ready.
Re:Businesses are finally converting by b0s0z0ku · 2018-08-01 08:24 · Score: 5, Insightful

Mugging victims are finally comfortable with handing over their jewelry... in this case, the "gun" is the 2020 support expiry data on Windows 7.
Re:Can anyone explain why people like Server 12? by ConceptJunkie · 2018-08-01 08:58 · Score: 2

Microsoft hasn't put out a good-looking version of Windows since Windows 2000, although 7 was the least worst since then. The sad thing is that with Windows 7 you could still use the Windows 2000 "Classic" skin, but now you can't. Windows is so sophisticated it can't use a desktop theme from 18 years ago.

--
You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
Re:Businesses are finally converting by nukenerd · 2018-08-01 09:08 · Score: 2

Businesses are finally comfortable with upgrading.
You read that into a 0.87% increase? No, it is just the natural wasteage of worn-out PCs being replaced by new ones, pre-loaded with Win10.
Says it all by CptLoRes · 2018-08-01 09:12 · Score: 5, Insightful

Microsoft has been pushing Windows 10 hard, very hard indeed as the only option for 3 years now. And even with users having no choice, it just now crossed 36 percent adoption. Meanwhile the 9 years old and deprecated (by MS) Windows 7 still maintains a healthy 42 percent. Pretty much says everything there is to say about Windows 10.
Exact opposite interpretation by Tough+Love · 2018-08-01 09:15 · Score: 4, Insightful

My interpretation is: Windows 10 is taking an incredibly long time to ramp up in spite of being rammed down everybody's throats as hard as Microsoft can do it by means fair or foul. I conclude that Windows 10 must really suck, that users don't want it, and that they will accept it only by force. I look forward to a new wave of refugees arriving on the Linux beach.

--
When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
1. Re:Exact opposite interpretation by Tough+Love · 2018-08-01 10:27 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  I wonder why Mac and Linux tend to stay up to date, while Windows users have to be dragged forward.
  In don't presume to speak to Apple, but there are several reasons for Linux. Linux users pull updates at a time their choosing, it's nice to be in control.
  The update experience is much smoother for Linux, I typically don't even log out. Sometimes Firefox needs to be restarted, which is crappy design, but that's about it. Upgrading libraries while in use is a bedrock part of Linux, it just works except in extremely rare situations like libc's nscd, normally used only in enterprise, which got a disruptive incompatible protocol change more than 10 years back. And 10 years even further back there was the c++ ABI thing. And 5 years before that there was the libc thing. In recent years, roughly zero serious issues. The normal situation is, upgraded services (optionally) restart without issue. So upgrading nearly always just works, even with a massive number of changes. Did I say, I normally don't even log out? Certainly, you normally don't reboot a Linux server on update, that's really key to server uptime.
  Linux users are more clueful than Windows users. Serious security events in Linux that require immediate update are few and far between. Linux users tend to hear about them in the news or other channels and update immediately. No waiting for Patch Tuesday. In short, Linux users tend to know when an update is truly needed. This drastically reduces the amount of updating. Even if you miss out on a major security update it's not that big a deal because even the worst Linux wholes are seldom really bad. If you aren't hosting random unknown users or intentionally trying to run as much malware as you can, you chances of getting owned by even the worst of them are really slim. (I'm not saying don't update, mind you, I'm just saying that even the scary sounding ones mostly don't apply to you.)
  Linux changes are normally not disruptive. For the most part, open source devs are on your side and they put a whole lot of effort into not breaking things that you have come to depend on. This breaks occasionally, like KDE 4 or Gnome 3, but the blowback from those was severe, project devs learned from it, and its highly unlikely to be repeated. Usually what you see is, Linux interfaces including GUIs change slowly and logically, mostly by adding new functionality that users appreciate. Seldom by taking things away, well, except for Gnome, but even there it's kind of a force for good, it moves users to the much better designed KDE and supportable.
  Linux updates are really fast usually don't impact the running system at all. I noticed, a Mac update tends to take an hour or more and the machine shuts itself down for the entire time. And they are pushy: "update now or wait till tonight?". Not as bad as Windows, but bad. The idea of shutting down the workstation to update is just unacceptable to a Linux user, we just don't need to. I mean, you can if you want, but I never do. The technical term is "life in paradise".
  Linux updating is generally so pleasant that everybody wants to do it, especially when a major new release lands. You do it because you want to, not because you have to. You do it when you want to, not when somebody wants you to. That's the way it should be.
  
  --
  When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
Steam survey by OrangeTide · 2018-08-01 11:24 · Score: 4, Interesting

Steam Hardware & Software Survey:
Windows 10 64 bit .... 57.03% Windows 7 64 bit ..... 32.38% Windows 8.1 64 bit ... 4.05% Windows 7 ............ 1.93%
all other version of Windows are <1% (8 64-bit, 10 32-bit, 8.1 32-bit, XP)
all versions of Linux combined are <1%
all versions of MacOS X combined is 2.93%
Conclusion: Windows 10 has been a big deal for quite some time, at least in gaming.
This is all unfortunate news for me because long ago (~5 years) I had decided that Win7 is the last version I will use in my home. So convinced of this I bought a 5-pack of builder licenses to cover any future systems I build. It seemed reasonable because for creative work Linux happens to meet my needs. For gaming I had high hopes that Steam OS or Android TV or something would have taken hold. I'm not really a consoles guy, so I may have to adapt to running Spyware-from-Redmond, or limit myself to 10 year old games.

--
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
1. Re:Steam survey by UnknownSoldier · 2018-08-01 12:07 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  Some of the *sole* reasons gamers are running Windows 10:
  * Typical MS bullshit about not supporting DirectX 12 on Windows 7, They did the same shit when they tried to force gamers to migrate from XP to Vista via DirectX 10.
  * MS artificially not supporting newer CPUs even though AMD officially has drivers for Threadripper
  Ask gamers to tell you ANY _new_ features that are DirectX 12 only and not available in DirectX 10? You'll get *crickets.* Gamers don't fucking care. They just want to play the latest shiny.
  They obviously don't care about Windows Spyware
  How many of those running Windows 10 were forced upgrades?
  ---
  Only children censor.
  Adults discuss, and even laugh about "taboo" subjects.
Nice Windows7 Ya got there . . . by hduff · 2018-08-01 11:42 · Score: 2

Be a shame if something upgraded it . . .

--
"I believe in Karma. That means I can do bad things to people all day long and I assume they deserve it." : Dogbert
I tire of the stupidity of 10 by AbRASiON · 2018-08-01 12:24 · Score: 2

The new 're-install over the top of yourself' patching system is terrible. If it fails it can render a machine unable to boot and despite (presumably... .. .. .?) their best efforts, several settings you've configured WILL be reset to default.
I am a silent PC user, when sound comes out, it's because I want it to. Why do notification audio keep getting turned on?
There's a heap of odd little things which re-enable themselves when these updates occur, worst thing is you had to google to find out how to disable them months ago and not since, so you've forgotten.