Story highlights Windows 7 is now the world's most popular desktop OS, according to a report

It surpasses the venerable Windows XP, which is 11 years old

Microsoft controls some 92% of the market for desktop operating systems

Windows 7 is now the world's most popular desktop operating system, according to the August report from Net Applications.

In August , Windows 7 had a 42.76% market share, a fraction of a point more than Windows XP's 42.52%. Windows XP was released in 2001.

The much-maligned Windows Vista sits at third place with a 6.15% market share, followed by Mac OS X 10.7 and Mac OS X 10.6 with 2.45% and 2.38%, respectively.

All in all, older versions included, Microsoft controls some 92% of the market.

It took three years for Windows 7 to become the world's most popular OS. Microsoft's desktop operating system, which was launched in October 2009, will soon be replaced by a newer version — Windows 8

Windows 8, which is scheduled to go on sale on October 26 , will be Microsoft's first operating system designed to work just as well on tablets as it does on desktop computers.

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Users running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Professional for $39.99 via an online download.