Windows 10’s Transition: A Closer Look at the Current Landscape
As the digital landscape evolves, Windows 10 officially reached its end of support in October 2025. While the majority of users have transitioned to Windows 11, a notable segment remains on the older operating system, which warrants attention.
Current statistics reveal that Windows 11 now commands a significant 78.8% share of Windows devices, a sharp increase attributed to the impending support deadline that prompted many users to upgrade. However, Windows 10 still maintains a presence with 16.9% of devices, translating to approximately one in every six PCs continuing to operate on the legacy OS.
The disparity in security between these two versions is striking. Research conducted by Lansweeper indicates that a typical Windows 10 device harbors an average of 1,903 active Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), in stark contrast to the 652 found on Windows 11. This represents a vulnerability ratio of nearly 2.9 times. Alarmingly, 66.6% of the vulnerabilities identified on Windows 10 devices are rated as high or critical, with some already being actively exploited.
Each Patch Tuesday, while aimed at rectifying issues in Windows 11, inadvertently provides potential attackers with insights into unpatched flaws present in Windows 10. By reverse-engineering these fixes, researchers can discern the specific vulnerabilities affecting the older system.
For those still operating on Windows 10, there exists a temporary reprieve in the form of Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which has been extended until October 12, 2027. This initiative ensures that eligible devices receive critical security patches, offering a buffer for users who may not be prepared to upgrade just yet.
However, this situation presents a dual-edged sword. The recent surge in memory and storage prices has made older, Windows 10-compatible hardware—often still utilizing DDR4—more economically viable to maintain. For a segment of users within that 16%, the decision to stick with their current setup may be driven by financial considerations.
In light of these factors, it is highly recommended that users who have yet to upgrade enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. This proactive step will help safeguard their systems until at least the fall of 2027. The future beyond that remains uncertain, but if the transformative potential of AI in the mobile sector serves as any indication, the PC market may soon experience its own wave of disruption.
