Windows 8 may suffer the same fate as Windows Vista

When history looks back on the evolution of Windows, there are a few versions that will stand out as abject failures: Windows Me, and Windows Vista topping that list. It’s possible Windows 8 might be on that list, but not for the same reasons.

Windows 8 is a solid operating system. It doesn’t have the flaws, lack of support, or other relative dysfunction that plagued the launch of Windows Vista. Still, the reception for Windows 8 thus far has been tepid. After nearly four months on the market–part of which was a holiday shopping season–Windows 8 has captured only about two percent of the OS market, seemingly eons from overtaking Windows 7 (44.48 percent) or even the archaic Windows XP (39.51 percent). It hasn’t even reach half of the Windows Vista market share (5.24 percent).

It’s still early. Windows 8 will soon surpass Windows Vista, and eventually even overtake Windows XP. However, it may never pass Windows 7. The problem is timing. Windows 7 is a phenomenal operating system and its still gaining momentum. Businesses have either just switched, or are already in the process of migrating to Windows 7. Windows 8–regardless of what businesses or consumers think of the dramatic overhaul of the OS interface–is simply too new, and too soon following Windows 7.

Hopefully, Microsoft knew that going in, and planned for it. Windows 8 gives Microsoft a chance to introduce the revamped operating system, and move toward a converged desktop / mobile platform, and allows it to work out the kinks and make improvements for Windows 9…just in time for large corporations to be ready to refresh their Windows 7 systems.