Editing Windows XP (section)

==Reception==
On release, Windows XP received critical acclaim. [[CNET]] described the operating system as being "worth the hype", considering the new interface to be "spiffier" and more intuitive than previous versions, but feeling that it may "annoy" experienced users with its "hand-holding". XP's expanded multimedia support and CD burning functionality were also noted, along with its streamlined networking tools. The performance improvements of XP in comparison to 2000 and Me were also praised, along with its increased number of built-in device drivers in comparison to 2000. The software compatibility tools were also praised, although it was noted that some programs, particularly older MS-DOS software, may not work correctly on XP because of its differing architecture. They panned Windows XP's new licensing model and product activation system, considering it to be a "slightly annoying roadblock", but acknowledged Microsoft's intent for the changes.<ref name=cnet-xpreview>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Windows XP – Home Edition review|url=https://www.cnet.com/products/microsoft-windows-xp-home-edition/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531181049/http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3672_7-5020549-2.html|archive-date=May 31, 2007|work=CNET|access-date=March 25, 2014|date=October 10, 2002|first1=Matt|last1=Lake}}</ref> ''[[PC Magazine]]'' provided similar praise, although noting that a number of its online features were designed to promote Microsoft-owned services, and that aside from quicker boot times, XP's overall performance showed little difference over Windows 2000.<ref name=pcmag-xpreview>{{cite web|title=Microsoft Ships Its Biggest OS Upgrade Ever—Early!|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,5772,00.asp|work=PC Magazine|access-date=March 25, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325083348/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,5772,00.asp|archive-date=March 25, 2014|date=September 3, 2001|first1=Edward|last1=Mendelson |author-link1=Edward Mendelson}}</ref> Windows XP's default theme, Luna, was criticized by some users for its childish look.<ref name="Manes2004">{{cite web|title=Full Disclosure: Your Take on Windows' Worst Irritations|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/117427/full_disclosure_your_take_on_windows_worst_irritations.html|date=August 26, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008081626/http://www.pcworld.com/article/117427/full_disclosure_your_take_on_windows_worst_irritations.html|archive-date=October 8, 2009|last=Manes|first=Stephen|author-link=Stephen Manes|work=[[PCWorld]]|publisher=[[IDG]]}}</ref><ref name="Bright2014">{{cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/04/memory-lane-before-everyone-loved-windows-xp-they-hated-it/|newspaper=[[Ars Technica]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|date=April 10, 2014|last=Bright|first=Peter|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424071600/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/04/memory-lane-before-everyone-loved-windows-xp-they-hated-it/|title=Memory lane: Before everyone loved Windows XP, they hated it|archive-date=April 24, 2014|access-date=June 20, 2014}}</ref>

Despite extended support for the main Windows XP ending in 2014, many users – including some enterprises – were reluctant to move away from an operating system they viewed as a stable known quantity despite the many security and functionality improvements in subsequent releases of Windows. Windows XP's longevity was viewed as testament to its stability and Microsoft's successful attempts to keep it up to date, but also as an indictment of its direct successor's [[Criticism of Windows Vista|perceived failings]].<ref name="ArsTenYearsXP">{{cite web |title=Ten years of Windows XP: how longevity became a curse |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2011/10/ten-years-of-windows-xp-how-longevity-became-a-curse/ |website=Ars Technica |publisher=WIRED Media Group |access-date=June 9, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142054/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2011/10/ten-years-of-windows-xp-how-longevity-became-a-curse/ |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |date=October 25, 2011|first1=Peter|last1=Bright}}</ref>

===Market share===
{{See also|Usage share of operating systems}}
{{Update-section|date=October 2024}}
According to [[web analytics]] data generated by [[Net Applications#Market share statistics|Net Applications]], Windows XP was the most widely used operating system until August 2012, when Windows 7 overtook it (later overtaken by [[Windows 10]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marketshare.hitslink.com:80/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=11&qpcustomb=0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909203552/http://marketshare.hitslink.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=11&qpcustomb=0|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 9, 2012|title=Operating system market share|date=September 9, 2012|access-date=September 8, 2018}}</ref> while [[StatCounter]] indicates it happening almost a year earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide/#monthly-201106-201304|title=Desktop Windows Version Market Share Worldwide|website=StatCounter Global Stats|language=en|access-date=July 2, 2019|archive-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420180627/http://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide#monthly-201106-201304|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2014, Net Applications reported a market share of 29.23%<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57618211-75/oops-windows-xp-gains-in-january-but-so-does-windows-8.1/ | title=Oops, Windows XP gains in January but so does Windows 8.1 | publisher=CBS Interactive | work=CNET | date=February 2, 2014 | access-date=March 16, 2014 | last=Crothers | first=Brooke | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221215154/http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57618211-75/oops-windows-xp-gains-in-january-but-so-does-windows-8.1/ | archive-date=February 21, 2014 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> of "desktop operating systems" for XP (when XP was introduced there was not a separate mobile category to track), while [[W3Schools]] reported a share of 11.0%.<ref name=marketshare>{{cite web|url=https://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp|title=OS Platform Statistics|publisher=w3schools|access-date=September 14, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917051729/http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp|archive-date=September 17, 2015|date=<!--N/A-->|author=<!--N/A-->}}</ref>

{{As of|2022|9}}, in most regions or continents, Windows XP market share on PCs, as a fraction of the total Windows share, had gone below 1% (0.5% in Africa<ref>{{cite web |title=Desktop Windows Version Market Share Africa |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/africa#monthly-202002-202209 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220922002604/https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/africa%23monthly-202002-202209 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=September 22, 2022 |website=StatCounter Global Stats |language=en}}</ref>). XP retains a double-digit market share in a few countries, such as Armenia, where it is continues to be used on about 75% of Windows PCs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Desktop Windows Version Market Share Armenia |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/armenia/#monthly-202403-202502 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=StatCounter Global Stats |language=en}}</ref><!-- For me at least, Wayback hasn't saved the specific searches; archived versions are redirects to the search page. --><!-- Armenia does show some fluctuation, and while Windows 7 was most popular there in 2017, it has just been gradually replaced by Windows 10, still now XP shows most popular. https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/albania/#weekly-202015-202024 https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/eritrea/#weekly-202015-202024 -->