What a difference two weeks can make in the tech landscape. At the start of June, Microsoft faced a challenging scenario as reports indicated that the upgrades to its flagship operating system, Windows 11, had stalled. However, just a fortnight later, the narrative has shifted dramatically, with Windows 11 nearly matching the market share of its predecessor, Windows 10. This remarkable turnaround in just 16 days is noteworthy.
Market Share Dynamics
The insights stem from Statcounter, a data analytics firm, which, while not infallible—only Microsoft possesses the definitive figures—provides a valuable glimpse into market trends. The critical aspect here is the trajectory of these trends. With less than 100 days remaining until Windows 10 loses official support and over 700 million users still operating on it, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.
As of June 17, Windows 10’s global market share has dipped below the 50% mark for the first time, now resting at 48.9%. Meanwhile, Windows 11 is on the cusp of reaching that same milestone, currently at 47.7%. This shift follows a month where Windows 11 had seen a decline while Windows 10 experienced a brief resurgence, widening the gap between the two systems in an unfavorable direction.
If these figures hold true, it suggests that nearly 60 million users have made the switch from Windows 10 to Windows 11. While May may have represented an anomaly, this recent data indicates a positive trend for Microsoft and the broader security community.
In the United States, where Windows 11 had previously surpassed Windows 10, the gap has widened significantly, with Windows 11 now commanding 55.2% of the market compared to Windows 10’s 42.0%. Europe has also seen slight gains for Windows 11, but the standout performance is in Asia, where Windows 10’s share has plummeted from 59% to 49%, while Windows 11 has surged to over 46%.
Despite this positive momentum, approximately 700 million users remain on Windows 10, and the question of where the upgrade threshold lies remains unanswered. Among these are more than 240 million users whose devices do not meet the requirements for an upgrade. Microsoft and its hardware partners are actively encouraging these users to invest in new devices, and the company is set to introduce a migration tool aimed at simplifying the transition.
In two weeks, when the comprehensive data for June is released, the industry will gain clarity on whether this trend represents a fleeting spike or a sustained acceleration in upgrades. The stakes are high, as the potential for hundreds of millions of PCs to fall out of support looms large, particularly in an era where vulnerabilities in Windows systems are increasingly common.
For those with compatible PCs running a licensed version of Windows 10, the upgrade to Windows 11 remains free. Users may find their systems prompting them to upgrade, and following the provided instructions is straightforward. For those whose devices do not qualify, options are limited to either a paid support extension post-October 14 or the purchase of new hardware. It is advisable not to delay, as leaving systems unsupported could expose them to significant risks.
