Latest monthly statistics shows that for the first time Windows 8 has more users than Windows Vista. But at the same time its month on month gain in July was the smallest since its launch.

This is the state of the desktop operating system share at the end of July 2013 according to Net Market Share:

While Windows continues to be far and away the dominant desktop operating system, it had seen it a slight but steady decline in its share between March and June 2013, so July's increase of 0.05% to 91.56% was a welcome recovery.

As far as Windows is concerned, however, the headline news for July 2013 is that for the first time there Windows 8 has overtaken Vista. But the very slow growth in its share is cause for concern particularly in view of the fact that the gain in July was the smallest this year, despite the fact that Windows 8.1 is available as a free update.

Windows XP continues to slowly see its share eroded and this is trend that can be expected to accelerate given that it will cease to be supported in less than nine months. But to how much of its slice of the pie will be snapped up by Windows 7 and what will be left over for Windows 8?