Did Microsoft just admit that Windows 8 is the worst operating system of all time?

That is the question that many users of Windows after the company announced that it will stop supporting Windows 8 on January 10, 2023, just over 10 years after its launch. This is a much shorter lifespan than previous versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, which will receive security updates until January 14, 2020, or Windows XP, which was supported for almost 13 years.

Windows 8 was widely criticized for its radical user interface redesign, which replaced the familiar Start menu with a full-screen tiled interface called Start Screen. Many users found this change confusing and frustrating, especially on devices without a touch screen. Windows 8 also removed some features that were popular with power users, such as the ability to boot directly from the desktop or run multiple applications side by side.

Microsoft attempted to address some of these complaints with Windows 8.1, which restored the Start button and allowed users to skip the Start screen. However, this update failed to win back many customers who had already switched to other operating systems, such as Mac OS X or Linux. According to NetMarketShare, Windows 8 and 8.1 combined have less than 10% of the desktop market share in November 2023, compared to more than 40% for Windows 10 and more than 30% for Windows 7.

So does this mean Microsoft is admitting that Windows 8 was a failure? Not necessarily. The company has stated that the decision to end support for Windows 8 is based on its "support lifecycle policy," which aims to provide customers with "the most secure and productive computing experience possible." Microsoft also claims that Windows 10 is "the best Windows ever" and that it offers many benefits over Windows 8, such as improved performance, security, compatibility, and usability.

However, some analysts and commentators have suggested that Microsoft is trying to distance itself from Windows 8 and encourage users to upgrade to Windows 10 as soon as possible. They argue that Windows 8 was a risky experiment that failed and that Microsoft wants to erase it from its history. They also point out that Windows 10 is not without its problems, such as frequent updates, privacy issues, and compatibility issues.

Ultimately, whether or not Windows 8 is the worst operating system of all time is a matter of opinion. Some users may have liked its modern design and features, while others may have hated it. What is clear is that Windows 8 will soon be obsolete and that users who want to keep their devices secure and updated will have to move to another operating system.

According to sources, Microsoft plans to ditch the Windows 8 Start screen interface for traditional computers in the next version of Windows, codenamed Threshold. This is a significant change. Does this mean that Microsoft admits that Windows 8 was the worst operating system failure in its history?

Mary Jo Foley reports that the next version of Windows, expected to be released in 2015, will be tailored to the hardware it runs on, and that means that for desktops and laptops, the Windows desktop will be the primary interface, along with with a Start Menu. Users can avoid the Start screen entirely if they wish. Tablet and phone users, on the other hand, will not have access to the desktop.

This change is essentially Microsoft's confession that Windows 8 has been a disaster. It's the biggest shift Microsoft has ever made in operating systems, almost as if the company had returned to DOS after launching Windows.

move away from traditional Windows operating systems and criticize their integration of touch screen and traditional desktop interfaces. While opinions on operating systems can vary widely, it's worth noting that Windows 8 received mixed reviews upon its release in 2012.

One of the key changes in Windows 8 was the introduction of the Metro interface (now known as Modern UI), which was designed with touchscreen devices in mind. This major departure from the familiar Start menu and desktop layout was a source of frustration for many users, particularly those using traditional desktop or laptop computers without touch screens. The dual nature of the operating system, which attempts to cater to both traditional devices and touchscreen devices, led to a user interface that seemed disjointed to some.

Windows 8 also faced challenges in the tablet market, where it sought to compete with operating systems such as iOS and Android. However, the lack of a robust app ecosystem at the time and the learning curve associated with the new interface contributed to its difficulties.

Microsoft addressed many of these concerns with the release of Windows 8.1, which brought back some familiar features and introduced improvements. Later versions, such as Windows 10, further refined the user interface and incorporated user feedback.

It is important to note that opinions on operating systems can be subjective and different users may have different experiences and preferences. Additionally, Microsoft has continued to evolve its operating systems based on user feedback and changing technology trends.