I run linux on bare metal and run Win7 in a VM on top of linux for work. It’s kind of cute using kRDP (separate desktop) in linux to access the win7 vm.
I think MS bet the farm on Win8 and tablets only business didn’t adopt tablets like they thought they would and now they are reeling from that decision.
Windows 9? They should introduce multiple desktops, native vm technology (akin to WINE) in the kernel to support apps going back to XP and give the beta(s) away for free to anyone that wishes to download it with a literal feedback app built in (and crashdump capture app - with the users approval, of course, that sends results back).
MS got too bulky (kinda like google is getting now), but I don’t think they are out of the game by a long shot. They can still recover and have prominence.
Meanwhile, I’ll run my commie operating system, linux. ;)
OS X was my answer more than 10 years ago. I’ve only had to reboot when I shit down to go on vacation. Everything else I need is from Parallels and sourceforge.
From what I have heard you may just be getting that. Although the Ultimate editions have been able to emulate xp natively for years.