In a recent conversation with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Mark Cuban, the minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, drew an intriguing parallel between the world of sports and the software industry. Cuban humorously posed a scenario regarding the Mavericks trading their star player, Luka Dončić, to the Los Angeles Lakers, likening it to a hypothetical situation where Microsoft would trade its flagship product, Windows 11, for its predecessor, Windows 10. This light-hearted exchange highlights the often unexpected intersections between different sectors.
Mark Cuban jokes with Bill Gates about the Mavericks trading Luka Doncic: “If after you left the company, they traded Microsoft 11 for Microsoft 10… what would you do?”
(via @persources) pic.twitter.com/CrCYdokSJLFebruary 8, 2025
The discussion took a reflective turn as Gates shared his own journey with Microsoft, revealing that he didn’t fully grasp the company’s monumental success until the late 1990s. “I thought I was one mistake away from death until then,” Gates admitted, revealing a mindset that many entrepreneurs can relate to.
A preference for Windows 10, louder than ever
While Cuban’s analogy regarding sports may resonate with some, his commentary on Windows 10 is particularly noteworthy. As Microsoft prepares to phase out Windows 10 by October 14, 2025, the operating system still commands a significant market presence, holding a 60.33% share compared to Windows 11’s 36.65%. This statistic underscores the enduring popularity of Windows 10, even as the tech giant pushes for a transition to its newer operating system.
Despite Microsoft’s aggressive marketing strategies, including full-screen pop-up ads urging users to upgrade, many remain steadfast in their choice to stick with Windows 10. This reluctance can be attributed to several factors:
- The current state of the PC market, which, while showing signs of recovery, has been depressed.
- Strict minimum system requirements for Windows 11, which exclude a considerable number of existing devices.
- Design flaws and user interface issues reported with Windows 11.
In a notable development, a public interest research group has filed a petition challenging Microsoft’s decision to end support for Windows 10. They argue that over 40% of users still rely on this operating system, and discontinuing support could lead to a significant increase in discarded computers, contradicting Microsoft’s sustainability initiatives.
As it stands, Microsoft appears committed to its timeline, but users have the option to extend their support for Windows 10 through the Extended Security Updates program for . This program provides an additional year of security updates, albeit with the understanding that after this period, users will need to either upgrade to Windows 11 or continue using Windows 10 without any support, leaving them vulnerable to potential security threats.
