Windows 11 Surpasses Windows 10 as Dominant OS on Steam
In a significant shift within the gaming community, Windows 11 has reclaimed its title as the most prevalent operating system on Steam. According to the latest Hardware & Software Survey published by Valve, approximately 52% of Windows users are now operating on Windows 11.
Historical Trends and Recent Developments
This marks the first time Windows 11 overtook Windows 10 in popularity in September 2024, although it faced a dip in user numbers the following month. As of now, Windows 11 commands an impressive 51.97% of the total share, reflecting a monthly increase of 4.28 percentage points. This milestone represents a record high for the operating system and indicates a growing adoption rate among general consumers, as evidenced by data from Statcounter.
Windows 10 and Windows 7’s Declining Presence
Despite the rise of Windows 11, Windows 10 remains a significant player in the Steam ecosystem, yet it has seen a decrease of 2.71 percentage points in October 2024, landing at 45.95%. Meanwhile, the legacy Windows 7, which still appears in Valve’s reports, holds a mere 0.23% of the share, reflecting a decline of 0.08 points. Users continue to express concerns over the looming uncertainty regarding support and functionality on this outdated platform.
Overall Market Share and Other Platforms
In summary, Windows retains a commanding 96.61% share on Steam, although this represents a drop of 0.23 points. Linux and macOS trail significantly behind, with 2.0% and 1.39% respectively. Notably, the latest macOS Sequoia is now the most favored version among macOS users.
Hardware Preferences Among Steam Gamers
From a hardware perspective, the survey highlights some essential trends among gamers’ choices:
- RAM: 16GB is favored by 46.75% of users.
- Processor: Intel chips hold 65.62% of the market share, with six physical cores used by 32.52%.
- Graphics Card: The Nvidia RTX 3060 is the top choice at 7.24%.
- Video Memory: An 8GB configuration is utilized by 35.11% of gamers.
- Display Resolution: Full HD (1080p) remains the standard for over 57% of Steam users.
Understanding Survey Limitations
It is important to note that participation in Valve’s survey is voluntary and random, resulting in a potential margin of error. The primary aim of this survey is to offer a general overview to assist developers in making informed decisions regarding technology support and product optimization.
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