Tracing the Path from Windows Success to Impending Collapse

Posted in Microsoft, Operating System, Windows | April 18th, 2008

Microsoft Windows Operating System is the world’s most widely used operating system. It is easy to use as compared to other operating systems like Linux or Mac, and this made it immensely popular. More than 20 years after its first release, researchers now predict the collapse of the Windows OS within the next two years.

I was curious to know what makes people talk about Windows collapsing. I did some spadework and dug into the Window’s success story. Here is what I discovered.

The Windows Success Story

The most important factor behind Windows success is the huge number of third party software available to run on the Windows operating system. Also, developers find developing Windows based applications very simple. One does not require much computer expertise to operate Windows. Further, Windows can run on different hardware platforms ranging from tablet PCs, hand-held devices to desktop workstations. Almost all devices available in the market are supported by Windows through drivers provided either by Microsoft or by other hardware manufacturers.

Why Windows May Collapse

The problem started when Microsoft’s much hyped operating system “Windows Vista” arrived in the computer world. Microsoft has designed Vista as an operating system for people who need the operating system fully loaded with lots and lots of features. Run the default installation for Microsoft Windows Vista, and you find all the extra features too installed and running. This leaves no room for user configuration.

Windows Vista also has very big issue with device drivers. Users face many problems while trying to find device drivers for their devices. Drivers for some popular printers/scanners have been made available neither by Microsoft, nor by hardware manufacturers.

Further, Microsoft has changed the user interface of Windows Vista a lot. For example, in Windows XP you have Add/Remove Programs while in Windows Vista Microsoft gives a new name to the same feature – Programs and Features. It has also replaced the familiar Start button with the Windows Vista Logo.

Windows Vista’s nemesis lies in the fact that it does not support third party software. Also, Vista requires a high hardware configuration for running it, something the Windows user is not accustomed to. I see Windows Vista operating system becoming more and more hardware dependent. It requires a graphics card, a high-end motherboard and much more for running it. We can see the user-friendly Windows transforming into a combination of Mac and Linux minus their positives.

These are some points that I found, which if included in the next Windows operating system will prevent Windows from collapsing:
• Configurable nature of Operating System
• Support for third part software and hardware
• Avoiding unnecessary changes in the Operating System User Interface
• Operating System must not be dependent on Hardware.
• Build Operating system in a modular manner.

Source []

Special thanks to WriteUpMaster

12 Responses to “Tracing the Path from Windows Success to Impending Collapse”

unnikuttan on April 18th, 2008 | 3:54 pm

great article. I do not have big experience with Vista, but this article shows me where to search if trouble arises. thanks
kiran on April 18th, 2008 | 4:31 pm

hi there this is a very good post and wat ever you have written is actually very true. Even i have been doing some digging about Vista after it hit the markets and wat i have to say is “appearances are always deceptive” the desktop is really inviting with its black background and the way each page disappears when u minimize it is really catchy but wen u start using it you really start swearing!! tat XP was much better. so first of let me congratulate u on ur work u ve done it well. Then it was so nice of you to mention your sources in the end of the post indeed this seems like a very good work. keep it up hoping to read more of your posts.
Totte on April 18th, 2008 | 9:26 pm

“…It is easy to use as compared to other operating systems like Linux or Mac…” That is a rather misguided comment. Having used XP, Vista, and Mac OS over the years (yes, my preference is Mac), it has become clear that Microsoft’s inability to create a stable, user-friendly OS has always been hampered by their rush to release versions that have clearly not been ready for the masses. You are right about Vista. An unmitigated disaster that should never have seen the light of day.
Perhaps, as you suggested, Microsoft can develop their OS on a modular basis. Keeping from the temptation of mimicking the Apple OS and rushing unfinished products out the door will bring users back.
Ajay on April 19th, 2008 | 12:11 am

Totte thannks for u suggestion
Siddharth on April 19th, 2008 | 8:18 am

nice post dude
Abhishek Kumar on April 19th, 2008 | 1:05 pm

I always believe in non-microsoft products. this does not mean that I am anti-microsoft. By the way, the it was a nice read..
Ashutosh Mishra on April 20th, 2008 | 5:10 am

Windows Vista is really a huge flop but I don’t see Windows Vista collapsing in the near future. I mean there isn’t a proper successor to Windows, in case it collapses. Mac OSX is the next biggest OS and it’s still hardly known to people here in India or China (the futures of the tech and computing industry). In fact, the only Apple products known to most Indians are the iPod and iPhone (the latter isn’t even available here yet!). And people continue to have that “Its-full-of-commands-and-it-really-sucks” impression of Linux. So even if Windows is getting unpopular, the consumers won’t find a substitute anywhere and will be forced to stick to Windows. Of course, things MAY change if Apple and the big Linux distros hype up their advertising campaigns (which Microsoft does really well) and bring out the Windows substitutes in front of the people.
jitendra garg on April 20th, 2008 | 10:26 am

vista is hardware independent. i have tried using my vista installation (done on 845gvsr chipset) on my bro’s machien with amd chipset.. it took 5 min. to start on that system(512mb ram and 1.8ghz processor) for the first time and it worked fine after that… every hardware was detected properly…

but yeah for everything u have to pay.. thats why vista ultimate used some 1gb of my system memory to save hardware independece configuration files..
Ajay Pathak on April 20th, 2008 | 10:32 am

i am not saying that vista is hardware dependent but it require a rich hardware configuration
are u agree with me ?
jitendra garg on April 20th, 2008 | 10:39 am

ofcourse thats a point. but already said.. u have to pay somethign to achieve something.. and if u go for all fancies in mac, that also needs equal hardware.. and yheah i used vista ultimate on my 845gvsr system.. what does that mean.. simple no graphic card and jsut 512 mb ram.. and yeah it ran well with every option turned on except aero. only thing is that vista gives u an option to see what exactly a desktop can be turned into if u have enough money to blow out…. hope u agree
Ajay Pathak on April 20th, 2008 | 10:40 am

ya that’s gr8 thing about the vista operating system
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[...] This seems to be a good move by Microsoft to give consumers an option to stay with Microsoft Windows Operating system otherwise instead of using Windows Vista consumers are moving towards Mac or Linux. You can read more about Why Vista may Collapse [...]