Microsoft appears to be encountering significant challenges in its transition to Windows 11. The adoption rate is markedly slower than the previous shift from Windows 7 to Windows 10, raising concerns within the tech giant.
Stagnation in Upgrades
During a recent earnings call, Dell’s Chief Operating Officer, Jeffrey Clarke, shared some striking statistics. He noted that approximately 500 million PCs are fully equipped to run Windows 11 but remain on Windows 10. This figure represents a substantial number of users—half a billion—who are seemingly hesitant to make the switch.
Compounding the issue, Clarke pointed out that there is an additional 500 million computers that are four years old or older, rendering them incapable of upgrading due to Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements, including the TPM 2.0 security chip. This leaves many machines stranded, unable to transition to the latest operating system.
In a bid to put a positive spin on the situation, Microsoft executive Pavan Davuluri recently claimed that “nearly a billion people rely on Windows 11.” However, this statement lacked clarity, as the underlying data reveals a more complex reality.
Windows 11: The Free Party No One Wants to Attend
This situation serves as a wake-up call for Microsoft. With mainstream support for Windows 10 having ended in October 2025, the expectation was that users would eagerly migrate to the new system. Instead, the market has bifurcated:
- One segment of users is operating on hardware that cannot upgrade.
- The other segment possesses upgrade-capable hardware but is choosing not to transition.
This reluctance poses a significant cybersecurity risk and complicates Microsoft’s ambitions to roll out AI features across its user base. Dell views this as an opportunity to market new “AI-ready” computers, yet it cautions that sales may remain stagnant through 2026. Without compelling incentives to upgrade, many users are content to stick with their established systems.
For those still using Windows 10, the landscape is increasingly precarious. With mainstream security updates now a thing of the past, the vulnerability to cyber threats grows daily.
Users currently face three primary options:
- Invest in a new PC, which both Microsoft and Dell are advocating.
- Opt for Extended Security Updates (ESU) to maintain security on their existing machines for a limited time.
- Continue using an unsupported operating system, a choice that carries significant risks.
What This Means for You
Microsoft finds itself in a challenging position, facing mounting pressure to either ease its hardware restrictions or enhance the appeal of Windows 11 to encourage upgrades. Currently, the company is banking on a new generation of AI-powered PCs to entice consumers. However, with a billion users caught in the limbo of either being unable or unwilling to upgrade, persuading the global audience to transition may prove to be one of Microsoft’s most formidable sales challenges to date.
