Windows 8 Users Not Using 'Metro' Apps, Study Finds

A new report suggests that many Windows 8 users aren't using the new operating system's many touch-friendly applications. That finding suggests Microsoft's big gamble with Windows 8 -- building an operating system (OS) with touch screen devices in mind -- simply isn't paying off right now.

If there's one thing that sets Windows 8 apart from its predecessors -- including Windows 7, Vista, and Windows XP -- it's the focus on touch-friendly applications.

The operating system's new user interface (once known as 'Metro') is clearly designed for touch screen laptops and tablet computers.

The best evidence of this: the prominence of the 'Live Tiles' user interface on Windows 8's new Start screen.

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The change has, to say the least, alarmed some people. Many users of Microsoft's previous operating systems have been frustrated by the new OS' emphasis on touch technology. Heck, even Microsoft's PC partners have expressed concern about the changes.

That's why it's so surprising to hear that users of Windows 8 -- even those who own touch screen devices -- aren't taking advantage of the new focus.

Tech firm Soluto investigated the daily behavior of Windows 8 users. In total, just under 11,000 Windows 8 devices were involved in the study. (Source: soluto.com)

Many Windows 8 Users Prefer the Traditional Desktop

Soluto found that most people using Windows 8-based laptop and desktop computers do not open a modern-style Windows app on a daily basis.

Even when it came to people who owned Windows 8-based tablet computers, only 56 per cent of users launched a Windows 8 app once a day.

Here's how the numbers break down: almost 61 per cent of desktop users and nearly 60 per cent of laptop users do not launch a 'Metro-style' app once a day. About 44 per cent of tablet users fail to launch these apps at least once a day.

The study also found that the average Windows 8 user is only opening pre-installed Microsoft apps like Windows Photos and Microsoft Reader about 1 to 1.5 times per week. (Source: pcworld.com)

This suggests that even though Windows 8 effectively pushes the touch screen experience on Windows users, most people continue to prefer the traditional desktop when carrying out their daily computing tasks.