Discussion on:

Rejected: 74% of organizations have no plans to deploy Windows 8

What will they have migrated to, Windows 9, LInux, or Mac?

Windows 8, of course. Windows 9 would be too new at that point, and neither Linux or Mac will ever make serious inroads into enterprise computing. It's simply not their target market.

Microsoft designed a product to compete with the Apple iPad. This is primarily an entertainment device. I know that there are a lot of individuals who take the iPad to meetings for note taking, and some use it as a platform for graphical presentations. However, iPads and their Android tablet counterparts are not fully capable of replacing a desktop computer (or laptop).

Bill! Do you work for CNN?

"Almost noone plans to deploy Windows 8". Then you click on the title to only to read Rejected: 74% of organizations have no plans to deploy Windows 8

So 26% is "Almost No one"? What if the organizational base worldwide constituted 500,000 businesses? That would mean 130,000 organizations would adopt. Seems like a lot to me

I am no Microsoft cronie but man...contextualize the issue please. It seems like you have already made a decision for me

deploy win 8 the first two bars make it clear they have no plans to deploy win 8.

The reason 26% is almost no one, is that a lot of people have to deploy Win 8 by default because it comes with new machines. That 26% probably did not intend to switch to Win 8, but simply accepted it by default, and did not go out of their way to switch the new machines back to Win 7 or XP. That is not a positive endorsement, but more of a "don't care" condition state.

have people telling the retailers not to worry about trying to sell them a computer with Win 8. Some are cancelling orders as they ordered when Win 7 was available and the vendors like Dell and HP and now shipping Win 8 only, despite the orders being pre Win 8 release with a notation 'wants Win 7 only.'

I was just trying to buy a new Dell laptop two weeks ago. I had a choice of Win8, 7, or Linux. Problem was, if I wanted Win7 32-bit, they wouldn't let me have 8 GB of RAM, so I didn't complete the purchase. All this was on Dell's own website.

web site and had a look at what they had. They have a series of page where you can pock and choose what you want in your computer - the home and business laptops and desktops only offered a choice of Win 8 versions. The servers did offer a choice Linux with their choices.

Today I checked the site and they now have a bunch of old systems with Win 7 or Vista and a few with Linux - but the newest hardware comes with Win 8 only.

I've had plenty of success with Dell's 'Outlet' for refurbs, scratch and dents, returns, etc. They still carry the full warranty.

Of course, I wouldn't purchase them for clients without their approval.

1) If you're buying a 32-bit W7, anything over 4 gig of RAM is a waste of money. 32-bit Windows won't use more than that anyway.

2) You could have purchased the machine and then added the RAM yourself. It's a cheap purchase and easy to install.

These statistics seem to confirm that common sense will prevail in the end. While Windows-8 may be a great OS for tablets and touch-centric devices; it just isn't oriented to the laptop and desktop format used by a vast majority of businesses. General businesses have way much too much invested in current hardware and software to just abandon it for something new and incompatible with what they currently possess. A few, small trendy "boutique" businesses may be able to afford the switch to touch-centric tablets and Windows-8.

We're a small business, and Win 8 looks like a real loser, so we have no plans to deploy. However, we replace computers on a fairly regular basis, and will likely have to buy 1-2 laptops next year. Those will inevitably come with Win 8 installed. It's a real hassle trying to administer pc's with two OS's, but if the Win 8 release is like Vista, there'll be no 'option' to get new pc's with Win 7 installed - So the effective cost of a new laptop will increase by $120 or so, the price of a new full installation of Win 7. Am I wrong about that?

Microsoft has already pressured some vendors to stop shipping new systems with Win 7, so you may have some issues next year.

Most businesses have a license to install Win 7 already and most businesses deploy machines from images.

those types of licences and settle for individual licences with the new systems as they buy them. And the person I was responding to sounded like a small business that operates that way.

There are computer resellers who will retain an image of your standard computer configuration and apply it to all computers you purchase through them.
One of the companies I work with offers this service for free when you buy your desktops and laptops (Dells and Lenovos in this case) through them.
Because they keep Dells and Lenovos in stock, the cost is the same as buying them directly from the manufacturer. You can purchase them with the current or the previous OS version.
You can order servers this way too. - Pre-assembled and pre-configured
It would be very cost effective even if you purchased 10 computers per year.
How small are we talking?
If you are smaller than that, buy a block of 5 Windows 7 licenses now.

is the service available everywhere in the world

but I can say that Windows imaging tools are free and Windows 7 is available for purchase now. If you have a license on an old machine you can put it on a new one if you retire the old one.
There are many solutions to remaining on Windows 7.

between machines as out local laws allows for that. But you have to be technically competent enough to do or have a tech who can, and not all can. Then you also have the issue with activation from Microsoft when you do. I don't know when it is, but you can bet your bottom dollar there is a date when they will simply turn the Win 7 activation process off and say 'stiff you can't activate it now.'

I will admit that transferring and OEM license takes some work but it is not impossible. Google "Transfer a Microsoft OEM license" and you will find information.
That's why I recommend buying a retail license anyway -for home and especially for small businesses.

Or for as long as MS is.
Otherwise they encourage business piracy.
Does MS have the legal right to revoke a paid for license? If they do, do they have to pay the damages it causes?

system spat the dummy due to the number having been already activated count as technical support, as, according to past MS announcements, XP is no longer receiving free technical support and no warranty claims are allowed now.

As to your questions, the answers are No and No, but I take no bets on them keeping the activation process for XP active. Past activation systems didn't require on-line activation, in fact the early copies of XP didn't either.

and search for customer returns, scratch and dents, warranty repaired, etc. You can also see if a newer model have W7 drivers available, buy that model, and pay for W7 installation media.

Still running primarily XP. A couple of the older Boxes that bit the dust (beyond repair) came in with Windows 7.
As long as can keep those older machines humming away and serviceable as they are, will be sticking with XP.
Can't foresee switching to a touch screen environment and the need for Windows 8

What percentage of organizations had no plans to deploy Windows Vista when it was released? I think that comparison is more relevant, because it was the transition between Windows XP and Windows 7.

Yup! having come from Fortune 500 corporations with huge numbers of employees, and huge IT staffs, I suspect that few will roll out this version of the OS. However, as a very small business owner, who specializes in 21st century marketing for other small businesses, I suspect this OS will be revolutionary, once the leading edge techno thinkers explore the possibilities. The light, fast and integrated small businesses are going to provide massive competition to dinosaur corporations in niche markets within the next three years, and I suspect this OS will help make the differenct. I am personally pushing a 100 so to speak, and having to open my mind enough to study a few tutorials at windows.com keeps my brain in the game so to speak. (Contrary to popular opinion, I found a start button, and I love having my apps immediately on screen). P.S. the search tool seems vastly improved to me)

Well let's see... a new BMW just came out and we should all go and buy a new one...

Of course there is not surprise on this...

There is still 18 months of XP support from Redmond. Add that to heavy investments in Legacy software and a very uncertain business climate, a new interface and you soon see that most prudent businesses are going to sit on the fence for a while yet.

I've seen Win8, took me an hour just to figure out the most basic tasks. The Metro UI adds no value for the enterprise. People want to be able to multi task more, experience reliable systems with less crashes and compatibilities. Windows 8 like has been said is for the tablet and will remain that way.

Bring back the Start Menu with the task bar and I may consider win8 for our clients in 2-3 years time, otherwise, skip it.

Sure, people still using Windows XP are not in a rush to deploy Windows 8. But what I find interesting is that 1/5th of people not even using Windows are planning to deploy Windows 8. Maybe all of the naysayers are wrong and Microsoft has a better view of future markets than they do.

Microsoft made the mistake of releasing Windows 8 to the desktop before the tablets. They should have released the tablets first. When you work there, you might want the features on the desktop.

I've already got the Classic Start back and never look at the tiles. The OS loads and boots fast. Runs great on older lower powered notebooks, even better than Win7.

I've not run into any application issues except for IE10 not being recognized by some web sites. Then again, there is Chrome.

The security and refresh of the OS without wiping the user settings is a great plus.

Microsoft should make an install for Business or person, with business you get the Start menu, nothing hidden, all details, not live tiles to distract. Then the home user can get the ADD related features. They should have done that with Vista on. Really make a Pro or Business version.

I've heard the same with windows 7

You must be kidding!!!
Just how many company and institution go around deploying new OS with a week or two of its official release........ANSWER: VERY LITTLE. Hence your result.

You Apple Droids and Googling Androids just can't stop, step back, and listen to yourselves, remember many said the same when windows 7 was released; or the Microsoft Office 2007 menu.

Whoever commissioned this survey should open their eyes, moving your infrastructure to another OS requires proper planning, planning you cannot carry out within two weeks of official windows 8 release. In time this view will change.
Something, companies simply want to wait until their hardware needs replacing.

As long as Microsoft continue to grow organically, and pay attention to what most of their customers, Windows 8 will be even more successful than Windows 7.
I have seen so many Bloggers who do not have understanding of the technology they are Blogging about, regarding the new Windows 8 live tiles seen as not suitable for corporate customers; THE GROUP POLICY WILL SORT IT OUT!!!

A fine wine is what Windows 8 have become.............

So you want to see your old desktop .... it is there for you.

Mobile Users now have a choice of Tablet or Laptop.... with access to their resources.

Windows 8 also means..... sub-standard APPS will be rejected.

So you do not have a touch-screen....you do not need a touch-screen to deploy Windows 8.

Live-Tiles can be good for some users..... those who often forget where their icons are on the desktop, or refuse to navigate through the Start-Menu.

I have come across many users who want Windows to remain Classic, and do everything for them at work, and then expect very little productivity of their shinny Apple iPad; apart from getting the latest APP.

Of Course, Systems Administrators who are themselves afraid of change, cannot lead any change successfully......TRUE

I have a feeling that Microsoft will start sending out bugs to break Windows XP and say that it's broken because it isn't anymore. Of course that won't be until 2014 but, nevertheless this is the kind of company that Microsoft has always been so what's new about MS....Oh -- what's new is that people are actually beginning to catch on to the gimmicks that Microsoft has always used in duping the businesses around the world that if they don't upgrade to a new MS OS -- that for some reason their documents will cease to be documents or that their databases will cease to be databases. A bit of extreme analogy -- but, you get my drift. Or Microsoft has threatened the security of its own security and forced companies to upgrade by saying - well, Microsoft isn't supporting you anymore with you old stuff -- so if you don't upgrade -- well, your destiny is on your own head.

Since 1993 there has been basic UNIX and Linux that will do databases, spread sheets and documents and in most cases better security. In todays market -- those almost free products are equal to or exceed Microsofts performance, security and support. There is no longer any reason to be ripped off paying 300% or should I say more like 300x the true value of what is received from Microsoft. People as well as businesses who buy into the Microsoft hype and throw away good money for cheap value products are not all there. In other words -- a bit stupid. Arrogant in being able to make poor decisions about software tools. You know -- the person who has enough education to go apply for a business license to start and build a business -- but, not educated enough to be in the know about the tools available for that business to use in the ways of softwares and software support. Microsoft feeds off these kinds peoples and businesses and doesn't bother looking back.

This is such a non-starter, my last 3 contracts were with companies who run XP & 7 and are NOT planning to upgrade to 8. They will just wait for a better business solution, not wanting to buy all new applications just to run that comical UI. It doesn't even belong on a smart phone!!!

I continue to point out that Linux desktops will talk to Windows Servers, Linux Servers are just more bullet-proof than MS servers. Face it world, how many times do you have to reboot MS servers to add features and updates??? None of the Linux servers/desktops have had to be rebooted just to update software!!

nt

the sounds made by the MS shills.

Saying the OS was "rejected" because 74% of the respondents had no plans to upgrade is just skewing words.

From the chart above: "49% have no current plans to deploy Windows 8, but may reconsider redeployment in the future" That's not rejected, that's careful business strategy.

Also, this business of bringing up the opinions of Windows XP users is unnecessary. If they are still using Windows XP at this point in time then of course they are not going to upgrade.

We upgraded to Windows 8 in our office and everyone loves it. 15 employees who work on and off site. It takes minimal time to learn Metro and even then it's not forced, Some of our employees rarely even bother with it.

Installed Windows 8 on my netbook, easy as pie. Unfortunately not one of the new apps on the initial screen after bootup, except the one that takes you to the old desktop (without a start button) will run on a display with a resolution under 1024 x 768. Since my netbook is 1024 x 640 I was out of luck. Interesting Microsoft doesn't mention that..

There is are reasons so many enterprises are stil using WinXP - among them are

• Corporate conservatism

• Platform stability

• Platform history

• Cost of upgrade to new vs cost of support for existing

• Many others

The "duh" bullets in that list are "Platform stability and history." Win8 has no history which makes it an unknown for stability. Microsoft can say whatever it wants about the OS's capabilities, but they have no enterprise data to back it up. The only enterprises that will upgrade now, or have a plan to upgrade soon, are either "bleeding edge" companies (who always want to be first adopters of anything) or places with a 100% Windows environment and a willingness to throw money at the upgrade.

So, yeah, 3/4 of businesses "have no plans" to upgrade to Win8. Duh.

OK folks, I am a realist here. What I see to fully support Win8 is a whole sale replacement of all my LCD monitors. I can either replace them all at once, or over a 4 year replacement cycle of our 300 computer units. Either way, in the end, I am going to be filling the landfill with 600 LCD's. If the industry had been smart, they would have ceased production on non-touchscreen LCD's a year or two back and been forcing touchscreen capable monitors on us since then as standard feature. LCD's tend to last long time, and as such, as we bought new larger units in the computer replacement cycle, we just added the larger to the existing smaller to end up with dual displays on each workers desktop. In the most recent year or so, we haven't been ordering LCD's at all, just new computers. It's going to be a hard sell to get me to buy 600 new LCD's and trash 600 perfectly working LCD's just to upgrade to Win8.
I suspect most business environments will have the same attitude as I. I don't think Win8 is going to take off on the average employee's desktop.
Win8's success will only be in the public sector, where many are looking to abandon their desktop computer for a laptop/notepad/etc for greater portability anyway.

?

Windows 8 requirements and capabilities.