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2013 in news: a year of ups and downs for Windows

2013 in news: a year of ups and downs for Windows
Softonic Editorial Team

Softonic Editorial Team

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2013 will be seen as a pivotal year in Microsoft‘s strategy – alongside hesitation and change, Windows users were able to feel equally at home on PC or mobile. It was a difficult challenge, but overall, we think Microsoft has come out on top, even though it wasn’t easy.

While that was going on, Microsoft also had to deal with the closure of MSN Messenger, one of its most used programs, in favor of the previously acquired Skype. In short, things haven’t been easy for Mr. Ballmer. Let’s look back over 2013.

Steve Ballmer Microsoft

Windows 8.1: the savior?

2013 was a year marked by a rather disappointing first review for Windows 8. Launched at the end of 2012 in an environment marked by declining PC sales and the rise of mobile devices, Windows 8 faced a tough challenge.

Despite a modern user interface, Windows 8 received a lot of criticism. We’re obviously thinking of the glaring absence of the Start button.

Guilty of wanting too innovate too much, Microsoft frightened its users. Windows 8.1 was released to respond to the criticism without actually solving the problem. Worse still, the system failed to convince the corporate market, a crucial sector for Microsoft.

Despite this, Windows completed its integration with SkyDrive and revamped its Store. Windows responded decisively to at least some of the criticism, its app store, for example, is now well stocked and continues to attract developers.

2013 hasn’t been synonymous with success for Windows 8, but speaking of “failure” is too strong. If we were teachers, we’d probably tell Windows that it “could do better”. The post-PC era isn’t so easy to get a good grip on, after all.

Windows RT : an OS with an uncertain future

Windows RT, one of three OS versions offered by Microsoft (alongside Windows 8 and Windows Phone), also remains one of the great mysteries of 2013. Designed for tablets, it has many features in common with Windows 8 without, however, offering the key features that users seem to enjoy.

Microsoft Surface

Given the failure of tablets offering this OS, manufacturers have announced their decision to gradually stop offering Windows RT. Microsoft certainly had huge difficulties selling its Surface tablet, providing even more proof that RT just wasn’t a runner. So what’s next for the future of Windows RT?

MSN/Skype and the case of the unhappy users

Another major issue in 2013 was the end of Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger), set aside in favor of  Skype. Forced migration began in March after a final reminder was sent to users of the service. Regular users saw this forced transition in a very dim light and didn’t hesitate to make their dissatisfaction known, on social networks or right here on Softonic.

A non-customizable, austere interface with a limited number of emoticons and various features that have to be paid for, Skype is a far cry from being a unanimous success! Add to this the technical problems seen around the time of the switch and the inability of some users to connect, and you get a totally catastrophic outcome.

Skype replaces MSN Messenger

Despite saying all the right things, Microsoft failed its fans. Many users have moved to other messaging solutions, with Facebook being a particularly popular choice.

Almost a year after the migration, Microsoft has finally got the message and has significantly improved its VoIP software to bring it up to speed. 2014 could therefore mark an interesting resurgence of Mircosoft in the battle for messaging app supremacy.

What about you? Do you think 2014 will be a good year for Microsoft?

Original article created by Pierre Vitré for Softonic FR

Softonic Editorial Team

Softonic Editorial Team

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