Microsoft has showcased Net Applications data for its Windows 7 operating system that suggests that Google's Chrome browser is only three per cent behind IE9 in terms of usage on the operating system.
The US software giant is obviously focusing on the US figures that give IE9 a 31 per cent share, but the worldwide figures for Windows 7 users paint a much more balanced picture.
On that, IE9 is still in the lead with a 22.1 per cent share, but Google's rival Chrome browser has 18.1 per cent of browser usage, and Firefox a not inconsiderable 15.7 per cent.
Bear in mind the fact that this is Windows 7 data – meaning that OS X and mobile platform users, as well as XP, Vista and Linux, are excluded.
Viable alternative
Windows 7 has a clear screen allowing people to set their default browser so Microsoft will be pleased that IE9 is performing on its own merits, but presumably concerned that such a big percentage see Chrome as a viable alternative.
"Internet Explorer 9 continues its growth this month as more and more people are switching to the latest version of IE," Microsoft's director of Internet Explorer marketing Roger Capriotti blogged.
"As of the end of September, IE9 now holds 31% share on Windows 7 in the US. Worldwide, IE9 is 22% of all usage share on Windows 7."
Capriotti also talks about the decline in market share for the decrepit IE6, expressing his delight that people are beginning to upgrade to modern browsers.
"Another great trend is the sharp drop of IE6 as more people move towards modern browsers," wrote Carptiotti.
"IE6 has now dropped to 9% usage share worldwide in September (and if you remove China's figures, IE6 only represents 3.5% usage share worldwide)."
Your comments (11) Click to add a new comment
kermit
5 hours ago
11. oops betty
better than sony
better than opera
better than your tiny mind and william
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lovlid
5 hours ago
10. @ patrick.
Previous posts of his that have used the word "retard" have been removed.
Why not this one?
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ibanezlewis
21 hours ago
9. Thanks for replying Patrick. You guys do a great job which is why this site, along with CVG, are my top sites to visit every day for my tech/gaming fix!
Keep up the good work :D
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duskrider
22 hours ago
8. Microsoft's history of having non-standard browsers (and most other things) is now coming back to bite them in the butt. They simply CAN'T make as good of a browser as everyone else because they have to carry all of their old legacy **** to keep Big Business happy.
While they are moving in the right direction, the question comes down to whether they have enough time to bring it back around or if they are simply too late. The slow drive to irrelevance?
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bradavon
22 hours ago
7. IE8 is excluded too. The default browser with Windows 7 and I bet used by plenty.
You cannot get IE6 for Windows 7. It's obviously not going to feature.
p.s - What are you smoking Blackbetty? Most big tech firms are American-centric.
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weedymuff
22 hours ago
6. used to use firefox but that got so bad and buggy, all about chrome
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patrickgoss
23 hours ago
5. @ibanezlewis hi there. Thanks, as ever, for the feedback - much appreciated. To be honest, we all kind of accept that we will get criticism as internet writers.
Saying that, we love it when our ever-brilliant good commenters come to our defence :) Makes it all worthwhile.
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ibanezlewis
Monday at 13:58 BST
4. Hey Patrick, could you please permanently ban Blackbetty and his many other aliases? I'm growing increasingly tired of seeing this bloke harass users and writers on this site.
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patrickgoss
Monday at 13:29 BST
3. Hey @blackbetty - bit confused by the response. You get that by focusing on the Chrome increase I *haven't* gone for the Microsoft line here right? Or are you talking about other writers on other occasions?
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bubbahotepuk
Monday at 13:16 BST
2. Erm, as what blackbetty says, but put more politely by the old adage: there are "lies, damned lies and statistics".
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blackbetty
Monday at 12:43 BST
1. Good old Microsoft, they love to use the stats that suit them, when its about XBox, they universally talk about US marketshare, like it's the only numbers that matter, however when it suits them otherwise, it's then "worldwide figures for Windows 7 users paint a much more balanced picture."
You really would have to be a ******* retard to fall for all Microsoft's selective marketing... It's sad there are so many ******* retards thou, including writers here.
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