According to a report from Net Applications, Windows 8.x crossed the 10% milestone in December 2013. Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ended the year with 6.89% and 3.60% each, making a combines 10.49% total market share.
In the same month Windows 7 gained 0.88% market share, while ageing Windows XP fell beneath the 30% mark, dropping by 2.24% to 28.98%. Unlike November, Windows 7 did not gain more share than Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 combined, but it is still showing signs of growth.
Challenge ahead
Windows 8 gained 0.23% market share in December, which is surprising as Windows 8.1, a free upgrade to the operating system, is generally available. Windows 8.1 did gain 0.96% in December however, showing it is being picked up. Windows 8 had its best month in August 2013 when it gained 2%, and it's worse in November.
In 2013, Windows lost share in every month except for March, July and November. In December it slipped 0.15% from 90.88% to 90.73%.
The numbers speak of the challenge that Microsoft is facing to try to move users to its latest versions. Windows 7 is still in demand due to the relatively radical change that Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 represent for businesses and users.
Net Applications uses data from 160 million unique visitors each month by monitoring 40,000 websites for clients.