Microsoft has achieved a notable milestone with its latest operating system, Windows 11, just as the countdown to the end of support for Windows 10 begins. Recent data from Windows Central indicates that Windows 11 has now ascended to the position of the most widely adopted desktop operating system, capturing an impressive 52% of the market share. In contrast, Windows 10 holds a 44.59% share.
Windows 11’s Journey to Dominance
While Windows 11 had already established itself as the favored choice among PC gamers as of last September, its overall adoption had lagged behind that of Windows 10—until this pivotal moment. Leaked statistics from October 2023 revealed that Windows 11 is now operational on over 400 million devices. However, it is worth noting that this growth trajectory has been somewhat more gradual than that of its predecessor, Windows 10, which achieved the same user milestone in just one year, whereas Windows 11 took two years.
A significant factor contributing to the slower adoption of Windows 11 has been its stringent hardware requirements. Despite Microsoft’s initiative to offer a complimentary upgrade for Windows 10 users, millions of devices remain ineligible due to the enhanced CPU and security specifications mandated by Windows 11. To further incentivize users to make the switch, Microsoft has occasionally employed full-screen prompts to encourage upgrades.
As the deadline for Windows 10 support approaches on October 14, Microsoft has announced a provision for users to receive one additional year of security updates at no cost. However, this offer comes with a caveat: users must enable Windows Backup and synchronize their Documents folder with OneDrive. For those who do not meet these conditions, a fee of USD will be required for one year of updates, or alternatively, users can redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
