One only has to look at the debacle over the Start menu in Windows 8 to see evidence of the hysteria in action. Menus and settings in different places can lead to confusion and decreased productivity. Many people worry about adapting to new things when it comes to technology. Perhaps apps like Kodi and Plex can fill the void, but a lot of users want to keep using the same apps that they've used for the last decade. Microsoft has also completely killed Windows Media Center in Windows 10.
Similarly, lots of people don't want to upgrade to Windows 10 because they heavily rely on legacy Windows 7 apps and features that are not part of the newer operating system.įor example, Windows Photo Viewer and Windows Movie Maker can be installed on Windows 10, but in practical terms, they are both dead.
Indeed, the reliance on legacy software is why so many businesses have been slow to upgrade. Instead, we're talking about the millions of third-party apps and proprietary in-house software that often perform a very specific function and which lots of people rely on every day. Of course, we're not talking about Photoshop, Spotify, Microsoft Word, Steam or any of the other mainstream apps they all supported Windows 10 from its release day. Windows 7 still boasts better software compatibility than Windows 10. Furthermore, just 15 percent of all malware was on Windows 10 machines, while 63 percent was on Windows 7.Ģ. Security firm Webroot says the average Windows 10 machine had 0.04 malware files present in 2017, while the average Windows 7 computer had 0.08 malware files. Features like Device Guard, UEFI secure boot, BitLocker, and Windows Hello all make the newer operating system much more robust. Luckily, if you're a privacy fanatic, there are plenty of third-party tools you can use that'll entirely disable the telemetry on Windows 10.Īs for the operating system's security, the argument that Windows 7 is more secure than Windows 10 is downright false. Lots of users are uncomfortable with it and choose not to upgrade. It's a valid point Windows 10 does amass far more data about your usage habits than Windows 7. The biggest criticism leveled at Windows 10 is its ongoing collection of telemetry data. If you spend some time browsing this topic on the web's various dedicated Windows forums, there's one reason that stands out above all others: security and privacy.
Before continuing, make sure you know how to check your Windows version if you're not sure. Free extended support for Windows 7 will end in January 2020, less than 18 months away (we've got tips for Windows 7 at end of life.) If they want official support through to 2023, they will have to pay a considerable price.īut even away from the business world, lots of home users refuse to upgrade-despite mainstream support ending in January 2015.
Many of those companies are now scrambling to make the switch to Windows 10. In truth, most of the Windows 7 market share is made up by the business sector. Contrarily, the latest data from analytics company Net Applications (August 2018) put Windows 7 on 40.3% and Windows 10 on 37.8%.
However, StatCounter said Windows 10 had overtaken Windows 7's market share back in February 2018. Windows 7 and Windows 10 are almost neck and neck in terms of user numbers. Why? There are lots of contributing factors. The operating system certainly isn't perfect, but users and critics both mostly agree that it's is the best operating system Microsoft has ever produced.Īnd yet some people refuse to give up Windows 7. Windows 10 is now more than three years old.