The Transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11: A Market Shift
As mainstream support for Windows 10 approaches its conclusion in the coming six months, Microsoft is offering a one-year extension for security updates at a cost of $30. However, many third-party solutions are available, promising extended support well beyond this timeframe. Consequently, the market share for Windows 10 is experiencing a rapid decline.
Current Market Trends
Recent statistics from Statcounter highlight a notable increase in Windows 11’s market presence as of March 2025. During this period, Windows 10 has suffered a considerable loss of users, dropping significantly to hold 54.23% of all Windows PCs globally, reflecting a decrease of 4.43 percentage points. In stark contrast, Windows 11 has surged to 42.66%, achieving an all-time high with an impressive increase of 4.53 percentage points—the most substantial growth for the OS in three years.
Year-Over-Year Comparisons
Looking at the year-over-year statistics, Windows 11 has seen a remarkable change of +15.98 points, up from just 26.68% in March 2024. Conversely, Windows 10’s share has plummeted by -14.84 points from 69.07% during the same time frame. This sharp contrast illustrates the growing preference for the latest operating system among users.
Challenges for Windows 10 Holdouts
The quick ascension of Windows 11 raises questions about the remaining Windows 10 users, as Microsoft faces the challenge of converting this base. While some users will naturally transition to Windows 11, others may stick with the aging OS due to various constraints. Notably, outdated hardware may prevent some from upgrading, while others express skepticism about Windows 11’s new features and design choices.
Extended Support Options
In an effort to facilitate the transition, Microsoft has introduced the Extended Security Update program for Windows 10, now available to regular consumers for the first time, which was previously limited to enterprise users. Although this program will only extend support for one additional year, it may slow down the migration process for some users.
Other Windows Versions Remain Steady
Meanwhile, the market shares of older Windows versions have remained relatively stable. Windows 7 now holds 2.22% (-0.08 points), Windows XP stands at a mere 0.33% (+0.04 points), and Windows 8.1 is at 0.28% (-0.02 points).
To explore more about the latest data from Statcounter, visit here.
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