A comprehensive analysis of Valve’s recent hardware survey reveals intriguing trends in the operating systems favored by PC gamers. Over the past four years, Valve has conducted 44 consecutive surveys, providing a wealth of data that illustrates a notable resistance among users to transition from Windows 10, even in light of Microsoft’s impending support cessation.
Survey Insights
For those interested in the specifics, Valve’s monthly Steam Hardware Survey data is accessible via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. By examining these surveys, one can discern the percentage shares of Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7 over time. The results indicate that Windows 10 remains firmly entrenched in the gaming community, with an anticipated slow decline that may not align with Microsoft’s timeline for phasing out support.
Microsoft’s stringent requirements for upgrading to Windows 11—such as the necessity for a UEFI BIOS, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0—have created barriers for many users. This raises questions about how long Windows 10 will maintain its dominance in Valve’s surveys before it converges with Windows 7, which currently holds a mere 0.1% share. Based on current trends, projections suggest it could take approximately 82 months for Windows 10 to reach that level, assuming a linear decline continues.
However, the landscape may shift dramatically following Microsoft’s withdrawal of support and updates for Windows 10 this October, potentially accelerating the exodus of users from the platform.
Lessons for Future Operating Systems
The implications of these survey results extend beyond Windows 10. They serve as a cautionary tale for Microsoft as it considers the future of its operating systems, particularly with the anticipated release of Windows 12. To avoid a repeat of Windows 11’s struggles—where it has yet to surpass 60% of any Steam survey sample—Microsoft must ensure that its next iteration is both accessible and appealing to users.
In a broader context, the survey also examined the impact of the Steam Deck’s launch on Linux and macOS usage. While Linux has seen a modest increase from around 1% to over 2.5% in three years, this growth appears minimal compared to the vast number of desktop PCs and laptops in use. Despite Valve’s success with the Steam Deck, the overall impact on Linux adoption remains limited.
Interestingly, while Linux’s share has increased significantly, Windows 11’s growth has been relatively stagnant, reflecting a mere 3.7x increase during the same period. This disparity underscores the challenges faced by new operating systems in gaining traction within a competitive market.
As SteamOS begins to permeate additional devices, the potential for Linux’s user base to expand further becomes evident. Although Valve does not aim to rival Microsoft in the operating system arena, the reluctance of Steam users to embrace Windows 11 hints at a future where SteamOS could alter the dynamics of the gaming OS landscape.
In light of these findings, a call to action emerges for the gaming community: a simple questionnaire to gauge the operating systems used by gamers could yield fascinating comparisons with Valve’s data, enriching the ongoing conversation about OS preferences in the gaming world.
