Windows 11’s market presence remains stagnant, raising eyebrows as the end of Windows 10’s extended support looms just eight months away. In Germany, a significant 48 percent of private households—approximately 21 million devices—are still operating on Windows 10. This statistic excludes businesses, which also tend to favor the older operating system. The impending deadline for Windows 10 support, officially set for October 14, 2025, adds urgency to the situation. Users who opted for Extended Security Updates (ESU) can continue receiving security patches and minor improvements until October 13, 2026. After this date, users must either upgrade to Windows 11 or consider replacing their PCs entirely.
According to cybersecurity firm ESET, the current landscape in Germany reveals that Windows 10 had around 24 million installations in August 2025, while Windows 11 was installed on about 17 million devices. This indicates that only 3.6 to 3.7 million PCs transitioned from Windows 10 to Windows 11 during that period. ESET’s report highlights that Windows 11 is now present on approximately 49.5 percent of desktop PCs and notebooks in Germany, marking an increase of around 3.6 million since August 2025.
The trend of older Windows systems, including XP and 7, has dwindled to 840,000, down from about 1 million in August 2025. Alexander Opel, an IT security expert at ESET, notes, “Germany struggles with change, including switching operating systems. Windows 10 remains extremely popular among Germans compared to other countries worldwide. Official support ended in October 2025. Anyone who delays the switch further or doesn’t upgrade to extended support is walking a tightrope.”
Windows 11 is popular among gamers
While the situation in Europe may appear stagnant, insights from Steam’s December 2025 survey shed light on the preferences of gamers. Windows continues to dominate the gaming landscape, holding a substantial 94.23% market share, albeit down 0.56 points. Notably, Windows 11 has emerged as the leading version, accounting for 66.60% of users, up 1.01 points, while Windows 10 has dipped to 27.51%, down 1.55 points. The data indicates that Windows 7 is virtually extinct, with a mere 0.08% share.
Among Windows machines on Steam, Windows 11 represents approximately 71%, suggesting that gamers who have the capability to upgrade are doing so. This trend aligns with the preference for newer hardware, as gamers are likely to favor Windows 11 due to its enhanced performance in gaming scenarios.
However, it’s essential to recognize that those who prefer Windows 10 have a straightforward option to extend their support. The Windows Update page not only warns users about the impending end of support but also facilitates continued use of Windows 10. For many, as long as Windows 10 remains functional and supported, there’s little incentive to switch.
As the October 2026 deadline approaches, users still on Windows 10 with ESU will no longer receive security updates, heightening the stakes for those hesitant to upgrade. Microsoft may soon implement full-screen notifications urging users to transition to Windows 11, particularly promoting the benefits of a Copilot+ PC. In fact, the company suggests that users consider recycling their old PCs to fund a new Copilot+ PC if their current hardware does not meet the requirements for Windows 11.
