Windows 11 adoption

Winsage
July 12, 2025
Microsoft has rolled out a fix for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) wizard for Windows 10 Insiders, addressing a glitch that caused the enrollment process to crash. The update is available in the Release Preview Channel and resolves an issue where the ESU enrollment wizard would close when users clicked "Enroll now." This tool is essential for maintaining security updates for Windows 10 after official support ends in October 2025. The Release Preview Channel for Windows 11 24H2 introduces a change, replacing the Blue Screen of Death with the Black Screen of Unexpected Restart as part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative. Corporate usage of Windows 11 has surpassed 50.6 percent, a 16.8 percent increase since early 2025, driven by upgrade campaigns and new hardware rollouts. Windows 10 will reach its end-of-life on October 14, 2025, and nearly half of all business devices are still running it. Kieren Jessop from Canalys noted that the surge in Windows 11 adoption is primarily driven by the U.S., and the transition to Windows 11 is expected to be lengthy, similar to the persistence of Windows 7 after its end in January 2020. He mentioned that the slow transition could help demand in the PC market, as older devices are replaced over time.
Winsage
July 7, 2025
As of July, Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in global market share, claiming 52% compared to Windows 10's 44.59%. Microsoft has changed the extended support program for Windows 10, allowing users to sync their PC settings to the cloud using the Windows Backup app to receive an additional year of security updates at no cost. This option provides users more time to decide on upgrading to Windows 11, particularly for those with PCs that do not meet its system requirements. Users are cautioned against remaining on Windows 10 without security updates due to potential vulnerabilities. There is speculation that Microsoft may extend support options further in response to concerns about older PCs.
Winsage
July 4, 2025
Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, reaching 50.24 percent compared to Windows 10's 46.84 percent as of July, according to StatCounter. A year ago, Windows 10 held a 66.04 percent share while Windows 11 had 29.75 percent. The end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, is prompting businesses to upgrade, with many preparing for the transition to Windows 11. Daniel Bowker from Phoenix noted that they are 80 percent prepared for the transition, with the remaining 20 percent needing investment in Extended Security Updates or alternative solutions like Windows 365. Canalys indicated that the increase in Windows 11 adoption is driven by enterprise activity rather than consumer demand, as IT administrators upgrade systems rather than consumers purchasing new hardware.
Winsage
July 1, 2025
Microsoft's Windows 11 has been available for nearly four years and features a modern interface but lacks some popular features from Windows 10, such as taskbar repositioning. Security updates for Windows 10 will end on October 15, 2025, prompting users to either upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for a fee. Recent data from StatCounter shows that in the US, Canada, and the UK, Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, although globally, Windows 11 holds 47.98% compared to Windows 10's 48.76%. From March to May, market shares were stable, but in June, Windows 11's adoption increased by over four percentage points while Windows 10's declined. Windows 7 is the third most used version of Windows with a 2.19% share, followed by Windows XP at 0.43%, and Windows 8 and 8.1 at 0.31% and 0.28%, respectively. StatCounter's data comes from over 1.5 billion sites globally, providing insights into operating system trends.
Winsage
June 23, 2025
Desktop shipments to businesses increased by 22%, accounting for 17% of total enterprise PC sales, as companies prepare for the end of support for Windows 10. In contrast, overall PC shipments for consumers rose by only 9%. Canalys reported that during the first four months of 2025, overall PC shipments rose by an average of 9%, with desktops increasing by 8% and notebooks by 10%. Windows 11 adoption is currently at 43%, while Windows 10 stands at 53%. IDC forecasts a potential contraction in the global PC market due to stabilization from the migration to Windows 11 and expected worsening macroeconomic conditions.
Winsage
June 22, 2025
Microsoft plans to discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, despite a strong preference for it among users. As of June 2025, Windows 10's market share dropped from 66% to 49%, while Windows 11's share increased from 29% to over 47%. The gap between the two operating systems has narrowed to 1%. Microsoft has implemented full-screen reminders to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, branding 2025 as the "year of the Windows 11 PC refresh." Windows 11 adoption has increased, but many PCs are unable to upgrade due to stringent minimum system requirements, which include a 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and TPM version 2.0. Microsoft introduced a new category of Windows 11 PCs called Copilot+ PCs, which feature advanced capabilities and security measures. Starting October 14, 2025, users on Windows 10 will not receive free updates, leaving them vulnerable to security risks. Users whose PCs do not meet the requirements for Windows 11 can either buy new machines or subscribe to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued support. Enterprise users will pay £48 for the first year of ESU, increasing to £192 for the third year, while consumers can access it for £24 for an additional year. Some users are exploring alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS Flex for older hardware.
Winsage
June 3, 2025
User adoption of Windows 11 is slowing, with its market share decreasing from a peak of 43.72 percent in May to 43.22 percent in early June 2025. In contrast, Windows 10's market share has increased to 53.19 percent. Expert Kieren Jessop from Canalys notes that while the figures may seem concerning, they align with forecasts, and a monthly increase in Windows 11 adoption of 0.5 to 1.5 percent is anticipated through October. Canalys projects an 8.1 percent growth in commercial shipments of Windows-only devices in the US for 2025, but a decline in consumer shipments is expected, with a -2.5 percent decrease in the US and a -0.7 percent decrease globally.
Winsage
May 2, 2025
Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, meaning no more security patches will be provided. As of April 2024, Windows 10 comprised 70% of Windows users, but this dropped to 54% by April 2025. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reported a nearly 75% increase in commercial deployments of Windows 11 year over year. Transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free, but Windows 11 requires more RAM and memory, which may not be compatible with older hardware. Microsoft continues to release updates for Windows 11, with the latest security update on April 25 and the anticipated 24H2 version released in October 2024. The next version, Windows 11 25H2, is expected between September and October 2025.
Winsage
April 20, 2025
Microsoft is encouraging approximately 240 million PC owners to recycle outdated devices, as they will not qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 11 without new hardware. The company emphasizes the importance of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, a security chip that determines eligibility for the upgrade and protects sensitive data. TPM 2.0 offers several security benefits, including data encryption, verification of trusted software, detection of physical tampering, and support for advanced security features in Windows 11. Currently, around 240 million PCs are estimated to be ineligible for the upgrade, which may hinder the adoption of Windows 11 and leave many devices vulnerable to cyber threats.
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