With the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft found it difficult to motivate people to upgrade to the newer operating system, even after keeping the upgrade to the OS free for a year. Users preferred the familiarity and the simplicity of Windows XP and Windows 7 over the modern interface and advanced new security features of Windows 10. However, recent malware attacks exposed that older Windows versions were susceptible to security threats and Windows 10 stayed unaffected with its updated security features. It seems that users have finally started understanding the benefits of the new OS.
According to a research from Spiceworks, Windows 10 has overtaken Windows XP for the first time in terms of active users. Windows 10 overtakes with a 13 percent market share compared to Windows XP’s 11 percent. This is a good sign for Microsoft as an increased user base of Windows 10 will help it improve the OS through gaining more security statistics.
However, despite the success, Windows 10 still falls way beyond Windows 7, which leads with a market share of 68 percent. The comparatively newer Windows 8 falls at the end of the grid with a mere 5 percent. Even on a global scale, Windows 7 leads with 84 percent market share, followed by Windows 10’s 60 percent share and Windows XP's 42 percent.
Even though the growth for Windows 10 hasn’t been able to deflect users from Windows 7, it becomes clear that the malware attacks have made people realise that investing in a newer operating system will eliminate data security issues associated with older operating systems. This has been the case especially with business and enterprises as the recent WannaCry attack had targeted business for the purpose of earning larger rewards. Although Microsoft rolled out updates to the obsolete Windows XP for safeguarding its users, it is advisable to be on the latest version of operating system to stay safe from the similar cyber attacks in the future.
(source)
