Windows 10 Security Concerns Amidst Migration to Windows 11
A notable segment of devices continues to operate on Windows 10, raising alarms about potential security vulnerabilities. Despite ongoing efforts to transition to Windows 11, the lingering user base of Windows 10 is now facing a disproportionately elevated risk, as highlighted by recent findings from Tech Radar.
According to new data from Lansweeper, approximately 16.9% of Windows client devices—equivalent to one in six—are still utilizing Windows 10. This situation is particularly concerning given that these devices exhibit, on average, three times more active Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), tallying up to 1,903 compared to just 652 for their Windows 11 counterparts.
Moreover, the report reveals that around two-thirds of the vulnerabilities associated with Windows 10 are classified as high or critical. The risk of exploitation is significantly higher as well, with an exploitable rate that is 1.7 times greater than that found in Windows 11 environments. This trend is particularly pronounced in sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, consumer retail, and manufacturing, where adoption rates of Windows 10 remain elevated.
Interestingly, technical limitations do not appear to be the primary obstacle to migration; only a small fraction of Windows 10 devices fail to meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. The report further emphasizes that nearly 20% of all monitored Windows devices are still running end-of-life operating systems, including Windows 7, 8.1, and XP, which exacerbates the overall security landscape.
