Dell Acknowledges 2025 Isn’t the Year for Windows 11, Users Reluctant to Leave Windows 10

Microsoft’s push to transition users from Windows 10 to Windows 11 appears to be faltering, with many consumers reluctant to abandon their reliable Windows 10 machines. As Dell recently observed, the adoption of Windows 11 is lagging behind that of its predecessor, resulting in stagnant PC sales.

During the Q3 2026 earnings call, Jeffrey Clarke, Vice Chairman and COO of Dell, shared insights on the current PC landscape, noting that many devices are aging, prompting a gradual replacement cycle among users.

“The PC refresh cycle remains durable, supported by an ageing installed base and a significant portion of systems not yet upgraded to Windows 11, ” Jeffrey observed.

This raises a critical question: How does the adoption of Windows 11 compare to that of Windows 10?

Adoption Trends: Windows 11 vs Windows 10

Concerns arise regarding data from third-party metrics such as StatCounter, which often lack comprehensive coverage. However, Dell’s recent earnings call reveals significant insights.

According to Dell, the shift to Windows 11 is not keeping pace with the transition observed during the Windows 10 rollout. The company confirmed that its upgrades to Windows 11 are still incomplete.

“We have not completed the Windows 11 transition, ” stated Dell in an earnings call summarized by Windows Latest.“In fact, if you were to look at it relative to the previous OS end-of-service, we are 10 to 12 points behind at that point with Windows 11 compared to the previous generation.”

New Windows 11 Start menu versus Vertical Taskbar with Start menu in Windows 10 — Comparison of the Start menu in Windows 11 and the Vertical Taskbar in Windows 10.

While Windows 10 wasn’t without its issues, it outperformed both Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Historically, when previous versions, such as Windows 7 and Windows XP, reached their end of support, the upgrade rates significantly surpassed those observed with Windows 11.

Dell’s findings resonate with previous research, indicating that Windows 11’s adoption is slower than that of its predecessor. This trend underscores Microsoft’s urgency in promoting the new operating system, evidenced by intrusive pop-ups and promotional ads aimed at Windows 10 users.

Interestingly, this slow uptake might benefit manufacturers like Dell, potentially leading to a sustained demand for PC upgrades as consumers look to modernize their devices.

Opportunity in Unused Potential: 500 Million PCs Awaiting Upgrade

Dell reported that Windows occupies approximately 1.5 billion PCs worldwide, with around 500 million units eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11 but still operating on Windows 10.

Moreover, Dell identified an additional 500 million PCs that are incapable of running Windows 11 due to their age. This presents further opportunities for future upgrades and bolstered PC sales in subsequent years.

“The installed base is roughly 1.5 billion units. We have about 500 million of them capable of running Windows 11 that haven’t been upgraded. And we have another 500 million that are four years old that can’t run Windows 11. These are all rich opportunities to upgrade towards Windows 11 and modern technology, ” Jeffrey Clarke mentioned during the earnings call.

The AI Factor: Shaping Future PC Sales

AI Agents coming to Windows 11 taskbar — Credit: Microsoft

Looking ahead, Dell expresses optimism about the PC market, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, powerful language models, and enhanced applications.

“The capability of the NPU and future PCs gives me the view that the PC market will continue to flourish going forward, ” he added.

Despite this optimistic outlook, Dell does not suggest a decline in PC sales. Instead, the company anticipates consistent demand as consumers consider upgrading their machines.

What about you? Are you contemplating an upgrade from your Windows 10 PC to hardware equipped for Windows 11’s AI capabilities? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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