HP has recently disclosed that a notable 30% of its installed user base continues to operate on Windows 10, even as Microsoft prepares to end support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. This situation leaves approximately 400 million PCs vulnerable, as they do not meet the hardware requirements necessary for an upgrade to Windows 11. Interestingly, the proportion of Windows 10 users has seen a slight decline since September 2025, when HP and Dell reported that nearly half of their PCs were still utilizing the older system. This trend suggests that the transition to Windows 11 may not be as swift as anticipated, potentially extending into 2026.
Financial Implications for HP
During a recent discussion with investors, Ketan Patel, president of personal systems at HP, noted that the gradual shift from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is providing a financial advantage for the company. He remarked, “Windows 11: 30 percent of the installed base is still to be refreshed. That’s one tailwind which we see as an opportunity in the short run.” HP’s CFO, Karen Parkhill, echoed these observations, highlighting that the trend is particularly pronounced in the EMEA and APJ regions for the company’s fiscal year 2026, second quarter, which concluded on April 30. Notably, HP’s revenue rose by 9% year-on-year, reaching .41 billion.
Parkhill further elaborated, “We have roughly 30 percent of the installed base still on Windows 10, so we still have some more to go. The Win 11 refresh that we’ve driven now in EMEA and APJ is now on par with North America.”
User Reactions and Support Options
Despite numerous appeals from users for extended support, Microsoft has largely remained unresponsive. However, it did introduce the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing users to enroll for free by syncing their PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft Account, or by paying or using 1,000 Microsoft Reward points. Notably, access to these updates was later made free for users in the European Economic Area who do not meet the cloud backup requirement.
Organizations such as The Restart Project, which co-developed the “End of 10” toolkit, have criticized Microsoft’s approach, suggesting that the continued security updates feel like a temporary fix rather than a sustainable solution. Critics have labeled the end of support for Windows 10 as a form of programmed obsolescence, arguing that it effectively forces millions of functional PCs into premature retirement due to the stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11.
Shifting to Alternatives
The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has expressed concerns that Microsoft’s decision to discontinue Windows 10 support will significantly affect older devices, thereby exacerbating the digital divide. In response, initiatives like End of 10 are encouraging users to consider transitioning to Linux as an alternative following Windows 10’s end-of-life. This campaign promotes the benefits of Linux, such as the absence of ads and telemetry tracking, to entice users away from the Windows ecosystem.
Amidst the backdrop of diminishing enthusiasm for advanced AI PCs and constrained budgets for new devices, the persistence of Windows 10 users is perhaps unsurprising. Microsoft has made concerted efforts to persuade users to upgrade to Windows 11, employing full-screen multi-page pop-up ads and emphasizing the performance advantages of new PCs with statements like “Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10 PCs.” However, it remains uncertain whether those still utilizing Windows 10 have enrolled in the ESU program or are simply continuing to use the operating system without security updates.
