Microsoft’s (MSFT) Windows 7 still commands more than half of the worldwide desktop operating system market with Windows 8.1 making some barely noticeable gains in the past four months, according to statistics compiled by Net Applications.



The
researcher’s August 2014 figures show Windows 7 with a 51.21 percent
share of all global desktop OS activity, followed by the venerable
Windows XP (despite no Microsoft support) at 23.89 percent, Windows 8.1
with a 7.09 percent stake and Windows 8 with a 6.28 percent share. Apple’s (AAPL) OS X 10.9 owns 4.29 percent of the desktop OS market for fifth place.



The figures are interesting considering the buzz that Microsoft is prepping a Windows 9 preview to showcase on Sept. 30
at a special event at which the vendor will detail changes to the
operating system. According to reports, the Windows 9 preview will offer
developers an early look at new features and changes in the operating
system, which is said to feature virtual desktop capabilities but not
the oft-criticized Charms bar offered in Windows 8.



At
this Alpha development stage, it’s safe to say Microsoft’s goal is to
make a non-traumatic Windows 9 upgrade path for Windows XP, Windows
Vista and Windows 7 users. Considering Windows 7’s stranglehold on the
desktop OS market, an easy migration path certainly would reside at the
top of Microsoft’s priorities.



According
to Net Applications, Windows 8.1’s August performance amounted to a
slight uptick from the 6.56 percent stake it held in July, the 6.61
percent share it owned in June and the 6.35 percent of the market it
held in May. Still, the operating system’s performance can’t be what
Microsoft envisioned when it launched the upgrade a year ago.



For the May-August period, Windows 7 gained 1.15 percent in market share while Windows 8.1 ticked up .74 percent.



Right
now it appears that new Windows 8.1 features such enabling users to
bypass the Start screen with a boot-to-desktop feature or adding a
Shutdown button on the Start screen haven’t provided the operating
system the kick it needs to gain significant market share.