In January 2025, Windows 11 experienced a notable surge in market share, capturing an additional 2.53%. This increase, recorded by analytics firm Statcounter, brings Windows 11’s total market share to 36.65%, up from 34.12% in December. Meanwhile, Windows 10 saw a decline, dropping from 62.7% to 60.33%. Despite this shift, Windows 10 remains the dominant operating system, holding a significant lead of 23.7% over its successor.
The migration trend is evident, particularly as Windows 7 also experienced a slight decrease of 0.17%. The majority of users transitioning to Windows 11 are coming from Windows 10, as reflected in the changing statistics. The impending October 2025 End of Life deadline for Windows 10 is likely a driving factor in this migration, prompting users to consider their options sooner rather than later.
Analysis: An inevitable migration
As the clock ticks down, the urgency for users to upgrade becomes increasingly apparent. The October deadline looms large, serving as a stark reminder that continued use of Windows 10 will expose systems to potential vulnerabilities without the safety net of security updates. While some users may contemplate alternative operating systems or even consider purchasing an additional year of support for Windows 10, such decisions may merely delay the inevitable transition to Windows 11.
Signs of a growing rush to upgrade are beginning to emerge. Many tech experts advocate for making the switch sooner rather than later, especially for those who may need to make adjustments to their hardware, such as enabling TPM 2.0 in the BIOS. Businesses, in particular, are taking proactive steps toward upgrading their systems. An IT administrator managing over 1,500 PCs recently shared that their organization has been testing Windows 11 for months and believes it is the right time to move away from Windows 10.
As 2025 unfolds, a more pronounced shift in market share toward Windows 11 is anticipated. Given the historically slow adoption rate of Windows 11, it is reasonable to expect monthly increases of around 5% or more as users and organizations alike embrace Microsoft’s latest operating system.
