Valve’s April 2026 Steam Hardware Survey reveals a notable shift in the operating system landscape among PC gamers. An impressive 67.74% of Steam users have transitioned to Windows 11, marking a month-over-month increase of 0.89 points. This data underscores a significant trend, as the gap between Windows 11 and its predecessor, Windows 10, has now widened to over 40 percentage points, with Windows 10 currently holding 25.63% of the market share.
Trends in OS Adoption
The Steam Hardware Survey is an opt-in initiative that captures the preferences of active PC gamers, which can differ sharply from the broader PC user base. For instance, in December 2023, Windows 11 accounted for only 41.95% of Steam installations. This figure steadily climbed to 54.96% by December 2024 and reached 70.83% in December 2025. Such growth significantly outpaces global adoption rates, where Windows 10 continues to dominate non-gaming PCs.
Despite this upward trajectory, the journey has not been entirely linear. A peculiar spike in February 2026 saw a 10-point drop back to Windows 10, a phenomenon that analysts deemed historically unusual. However, the April statistics indicate that this anomaly has largely corrected itself.
The fact that two-thirds of the Steam user base is now on Windows 11 presents a pivotal moment for developers. This shift influences decisions regarding the focus on DirectX 12 and Windows 11-specific optimizations. It aligns seamlessly with Microsoft‘s ongoing efforts to create a more integrated gaming ecosystem, highlighted by the recent rollout of Xbox Mode for Windows 11, which introduces console-like features to PC gaming.
As support for Windows 10 gradually diminishes throughout 2026, the remaining 25% of Steam users still utilizing the older operating system may soon feel the pressure to upgrade. If the February dip was indeed a reflection of migration hesitance rather than outright resistance, we could see a more rapid decline in Windows 10 users than previously anticipated.
Are you among the early adopters of Windows 11, or do you still prefer the familiarity of Windows 10? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned to GameLuster for the latest updates on gaming news and Steam developments.
Valve Says 67.74% of Steam Users Are Now on Windows 11
Valve’s April 2026 Steam Hardware Survey reveals a notable shift in the operating system landscape among PC gamers. An impressive 67.74% of Steam users have transitioned to Windows 11, marking a month-over-month increase of 0.89 points. This data underscores a significant trend, as the gap between Windows 11 and its predecessor, Windows 10, has now widened to over 40 percentage points, with Windows 10 currently holding 25.63% of the market share.
Trends in OS Adoption
The Steam Hardware Survey is an opt-in initiative that captures the preferences of active PC gamers, which can differ sharply from the broader PC user base. For instance, in December 2023, Windows 11 accounted for only 41.95% of Steam installations. This figure steadily climbed to 54.96% by December 2024 and reached 70.83% in December 2025. Such growth significantly outpaces global adoption rates, where Windows 10 continues to dominate non-gaming PCs.
Despite this upward trajectory, the journey has not been entirely linear. A peculiar spike in February 2026 saw a 10-point drop back to Windows 10, a phenomenon that analysts deemed historically unusual. However, the April statistics indicate that this anomaly has largely corrected itself.
The fact that two-thirds of the Steam user base is now on Windows 11 presents a pivotal moment for developers. This shift influences decisions regarding the focus on DirectX 12 and Windows 11-specific optimizations. It aligns seamlessly with Microsoft‘s ongoing efforts to create a more integrated gaming ecosystem, highlighted by the recent rollout of Xbox Mode for Windows 11, which introduces console-like features to PC gaming.
As support for Windows 10 gradually diminishes throughout 2026, the remaining 25% of Steam users still utilizing the older operating system may soon feel the pressure to upgrade. If the February dip was indeed a reflection of migration hesitance rather than outright resistance, we could see a more rapid decline in Windows 10 users than previously anticipated.
Are you among the early adopters of Windows 11, or do you still prefer the familiarity of Windows 10? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned to GameLuster for the latest updates on gaming news and Steam developments.