The problems facing Windows 8

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Re-energised after the relative success it enjoyed both with Windows 7 and the way it went about promoting the product, Microsoft has taken a bold approach with the next iteration of its market-leading operating system.

From the developer preview that it freely released, it’s immediately clear it’s willing to take a gamble with the shape of Windows 8.

The preview highlighted just how aggressively Microsoft is targeting the tablet market, with the new Metro interface integrated into the operating system. Granted, it’s not new to users of Windows Phone 7, but given the comparably limited market share that OS enjoys, many will be meeting the Metro interface for the first time.

It’s clear that Windows 8 has some sizeable challenges ahead of it.

At heart, Windows 8 is a strong piece of work. Comfortably one of the most customisable and friendly tablet interfaces, Metro allows you lots of flexibility over the placement and size of icons, and it’s intuitive enough to make it suit your preferences with little fuss.

Yet, already, it’s clear that Windows 8 has some sizeable challenges ahead of it. Just what problems does Microsoft need to overcome in order to make the product a success?

Closing Windows?

Historically, Microsoft has been plagued by the fact many businesses aren't keen to migrate to updated versions of its software.

In much the same way that Microsoft struggled to budge people from the likes of Office 97, many organisations saw little reason to invest further beyond Windows XP. Windows Vista, infamously, did little to help matters, and it’s only with Windows 7 that there’s been an upward level of interest and warmth towards the operating system.

Yet it’s not translating as much as Microsoft would desire into cold, hard sales. In the past 12 months, NetMarketShare figures show Windows has surrendered over four per cent of its market share. Each of Microsoft's major rivals is growing in popularity. Windows is still mainly rooted in the desktop market, whereas its strongest competition is far more portable. iOS and Android, for instance, have become massively popular platforms. And the mobility issue is partly what Windows 8 is looking to redress.

But can it? Windows Phone 7 hasn’t shown much encouragement there, and for the first time in a generation, Microsoft has capable competition in this sector. Android, MacOS, iOS and Linux are, to differing degrees, making interesting inroads.

Microsoft has a strong, cemented position in the sector, of course. But, much as Internet Explorer has experienced a decline over a number of years, the problem the Redmond giant faces is that the competition can slowly, bit by bit, chip away at it. A four per cent drop a year, after all, would paint a picture of a very, very different Microsoft a decade down the line.

Doing too much

By incorporating the Metro interface with the traditional Windows desktop, Microsoft has, in Windows 8, an operating system that can scale to phones, tablets and desktops. At least in theory.

In practice, based on the early developer release, it’s got a bit of a balancing act, and not an easy one. Appreciating that the current release is likely to undergo some sizeable changes before the final version of Windows 8, there’s still a big question as to who Microsoft really wants to target with the product.

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