Key Takeaways
1. Windows 11 has become the most popular desktop operating system, holding a 52% market share as of July 2025, surpassing Windows 10 at 44.59%.
2. The growth of Windows 11 has been gradual, increasing from less than 10% in 2022 to 36% in 2024, with over 400 million devices using it by October 2023.
3. Strict hardware requirements for Windows 11 have slowed its adoption, as many older computers do not meet the new criteria, despite a free upgrade option for Windows 10 users.
4. Windows 10 will lose mainstream support on October 14, 2025, but users can receive an additional year of free security updates if they meet specific conditions.
5. Microsoft aims to encourage more users to switch to Windows 11 by emphasizing security, cloud integration, and ongoing support before Windows 10’s final phase.
Microsoft has hit a big milestone in its journey to phase out Windows 10. Windows 11 has now taken the lead as the most popular desktop operating system around the world. As per the latest statistics from StatCounter, Windows 11 boasts a 52% share of all desktop Windows PCs as of July 2025, while Windows 10 has dropped down to 44.59%. This shift occurs nearly four years after the launch of Windows 11 and just a few months before Windows 10’s support comes to an end.
Growth of Windows 11
The rise of Windows 11 has been slow yet consistent. The operating system had less than 10% of the market by 2022, increased to 28% in 2023, and then reached 36% in 2024. The data from October 2023 showed that Windows 11 was installed on over 400 million devices. However, this growth was significantly slower compared to Windows 10’s launch, which hit the 400 million mark within just a year. In contrast, Windows 11 took twice that time. It was only in 2025, as Microsoft pushed harder before Windows 10’s retirement, that Windows 11 began to close the gap more rapidly.
Hardware Challenges
One key factor for the slower adoption has been the strict hardware requirements of Windows 11. Even though Microsoft provided a free upgrade option for Windows 10 users, many older machines didn’t meet the new CPU and security criteria, leaving millions unable to upgrade. Recently, Microsoft has increased efforts to promote hardware upgrades, including more noticeable full-screen alerts encouraging users to transition to compatible systems.
Support Timeline
Looking forward, Windows 10 is set to leave mainstream support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft has made an additional year of free security updates available to users who log in with a Microsoft account and back up their Documents folder to OneDrive. For those who choose not to do this, there’s an option to pay $30 or use Microsoft Rewards points for updates.
In spite of some hesitance and a slower uptake compared to Windows 10, Windows 11 is now securely established as the leading desktop operating system. Microsoft is counting on its emphasis on security, cloud integration, and continued support to encourage more users to make the change before Windows 10’s final phase.
StatCounter via Windows Central
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