Migration to Windows 7: consumers are leery of potential compatibility problems

ITIC survey of nearly 1,500 companies worldwide indicates 60% of respondents will deploy Windows 7. Nearly one-third of respondents — 30% — say they will migrate to the new Microsoft desktop operating system within the first six months while another 20% say they will upgrade within the year.

• Approximately 11% of companies said they plan to wait until the first Service Pack ships before migrating.
• Of the 40% of respondents who had no definitive migration timetable, 25% cited satisfaction with their current Windows XP and Windows Vista desktops.

The ultimate test will come over the next several months as users widely deploy Windows 7 in production networks. However, Windows 7 must still prove its mettle to the 40% of organizations — commerical and academic — as well as consumers who are still skeptical and leery of potential compatibility problems. Additionally, some cash-constrained organizations, say their firms lack the funds, to migrate to Windows 7. And 26% of the 40% of respondents with no definitive migration plans, indicate they’re content to remain on Windows XP or Windows Vista for the foreseeable future. Wooing this contingent may prove to be Microsoft’s biggest challenge.

Source: ITIC