Reports have been circulating on tech sites that Windows has lost 400 million users over the past three years. However, those reports have been predicated on an incorrect assumption, and the fact is that Windows global usage has not decreased significantly at all.
The story being widely reported was based solely on a Microsoft faux pas. Back in 2022, Microsoft said in a blog post that more than 1.4 billion users were running Windows. Then, in a recent blog post, Microsoft casually mentioned that Windows was powering over 1.0 billion active devices. The assumption then being that Windows had lost 400 million users since 2022.
Microsoft has since clarified that the blog’s “over a billion” phrasing was simply an oversight and has now corrected that number from 1 billion to 1.4 billion.
I think it’s fair to assume that Windows would have lost some ground over the past 3 years, but not even close to 400 million. Furthermore, any decrease in Windows usage would, in my opinion, be down to users abandoning PCs rather than abandoning Windows.
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Smartphones Taking over?
Today’s generation relies more on smartphones and tablets for their computing/online requirements, and let’s face it, these comparatively tiny mobile devices fulfill the basics more than adequately.
When my 15 grandchildren were in school, they all had PCs at home; now that they are adults, none have PCs with all relying solely on their smartphones. And I expect this trend away from PCs to accelerate as the new generation comes of age and smartphones continue to advance.
That said, PCs will always be in demand, at least for the foreseeable future, in work environments, for gamers, and for anyone with specialist requirements. Not to mention users of a certain age, who will never abandon their beloved PCs, yours truly included.
BOTTOM LINE:
No, Windows has not lost 400 million users during the past 3 years. Once again, tech sites have jumped on what they perceived as a potentially controversial topic, this time based on an assumption that proved to be way off base. Further proof, if needed, not to believe everything you read online.
Clickbait is king!
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While MS Windows might not have lost 4*10^8 users over the last three years, over the same time span, the number of Linux user has grown for ~2.5% to ~5% of all PC operating systems. It is likely some of those new users came from Windows, particularly motivated by the imminent demise of Win 10.
Hey Adelaide.
I agree that some Windows users will have migrated to Linux but my information is that Linux usage has not increased by anywhere double.
Where did you get that information from, what is your source?
Here…
Linux Reaches 5% Desktop Market Share In USA.
https://ostechnix.com/linux-reaches-5-desktop-market-share-in-usa/
Hey Tony,
First of all, that number is for the USA only, not global.
Secondly, StatCounter’s methodology means that it cannot possibly accurately state market share, it provides only a rough estimation of trends.
I can explain to you in detail if you wish.
“I can explain to you in detail if you wish.”
Please do, thanks.
StatCounter was never set up to calculate market share. Its primary business model is to provide statistical data to websites that subscribe to its service. It then collates that data to provide a rough indication of trends.
StatCounter’s data counts only page views, because that’s what the participating websites are most interested in. It does not count visits, or sessions, or individual devices, and only about 0.003% of websites use StatCounter (a very tiny sample), and the vast majority of those are smaller websites. In addition, browsers and/or browser extensions that block tracking also block StatCounter.
So, it is really just statistical noise and there is no way to accurately calculate market share from that data.
Hope that clarifies.
Yes Jim, the younger generations are heavily relying on the Smartphones replacing the need for PC’s.. But as mainframes are still being in use, and like you pointed out, “PCs will always be in demand, at least for the foreseeable future…”, I too will continue using PC’s, Mindblower!
If 400 million did leave Microsoft, I would not have been among them. I am not about to waste my short life on this Earth learning Linux when I spent years becoming a Windows expert. Moreover, I love Windows today as it has left the BSOD days back in the past. I can use Windows in my sleep, having been on it since 1997, and enjoy it. No Linux, no Macs for me.
Yeah computers definitely aren’t used as much now due to phones.
It still boggles me that some features on sites don’t work on mobile phones. I was getting a load of spam with no email address a while ago and decided to create a rule for my Hotmail email address.
Had to go onto a desktop as the app doesn’t let you do this and the site doesn’t even in mobile mode.
I do like and use desktops but to have a feature only available on desktops in this day and age makes no sense as many users won’t have one. I’m sure I once found something similar with Gmail
Hey Peter,
100%. I doubt smartphones will be able to compete with a PC any time soon. Mobile apps are cut-down feature limited facsimiles of the full-blown PC software we all know and use.
When it comes to today’s generation the old saying comes to mind… you don’t miss what you’ve never had.
It might just be my eyesight failing but I will NEVER accept a Cellio-phone as a computer. But the fact is they done t even operate the same. You don’t have access to the same screen as a desktop or laptop, unless you designate it in the setting and that turns your cell-puter into a sluggish brick that you have to change the zoom on every ten seconds to make it work. If you think differently you need to work in the business a while and learn how they are programmed and possibly quit taking that pill the government keeps telling you that you need and is so safe.
Started working under license at Cell1 in 1983