Survey suggests Windows 8 uptake slower than Windows 7's

Early uptake of Windows 8 appears to be lagging behind that of Windows 7 in the period after the older OS's launch back in 2009.

A survey of online activity carried out by marketing intelligence firm NetApplications found that just one per cent of UK computers are using a version of Windows 8.

This does not include Windows RT, which is currently the native operating system for Microsoft's Surface tablet.

The survey also asked UK internet users whether they planned to upgrade their operating systems. Only 39 per cent said they are likely to eventually upgrade to Windows 8. Of this group, only two per cent plan to move to Windows RT.

Some 13 per cent of respondents said they were planning to aquire a Windows 8 tablet, with another 13 percent favouring iOS. Android gained 14 per cent of the vote among those intending to pick up a tablet.

While Windows 8 seems to be experiencing early problems finding its feet, the survey does serve as a reminder of Microsoft's general dominance of the OS field, as 45.56 per cent of computers still apparently run Windows 7, while a fairly surprising 39.5 per cent still run Windows XP. Despite Apple's successes in the tablet space, Mac OS accounts for only 1.96 per cent of computer uptake.

Surface has faced middling critical reviews across the consumer and enterprise space, with even Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer having to admit sales had been "modest".

President of Microsoft's Windows Division, Steven Sinofsky (pictured), was ousted from the company earlier this month.