Windows 11 Adoption Trends Amidst Windows 10 Support Deadline
Recent data indicates a notable increase in the adoption of Windows 11 as businesses prepare to transition their PC fleets ahead of the impending end-of-support date for Windows 10. According to Statcounter’s market share statistics, despite being launched over forty months ago, Windows 11 has secured its position as the second most utilized operating system. Currently, Windows 10 holds a significant 54.36 percent share of the Windows operating systems in use, while Windows 11 has reached 41.99 percent.
The narrowing gap between the two operating systems is evident, though it is not progressing at the pace Microsoft might have anticipated. With the end of support for most versions of Windows 10 set for October 14, it is expected that Windows 11 will soon command a larger portion of the desktop Windows market.
A pressing concern remains regarding the number of Windows 10 devices that may continue to operate without the regular updates and fixes users have come to rely on. Microsoft has not made public the telemetry data collected from customer devices globally. However, Statcounter’s insights, derived from over 1.5 million websites and more than five billion page views, provide a glimpse into the current landscape.
In addition to Statcounter, Valve’s Steam Hardware and Software Survey offers another perspective on Windows 11’s market share. Although this survey primarily targets gamers, its findings may not be encouraging for Microsoft. As of February, Windows 11’s share has decreased to 44.1 percent, a decline of 9.36 points, while Windows 10 has seen an increase of 10.47 points, now accounting for 53.34 percent of users.
With the deadline for Windows 10 support approaching, the current state of Windows 11 adoption raises concerns. A swift acceleration in user uptake is essential to avoid a scenario where hundreds of millions of users find themselves without vital security updates.
In an effort to explore ways to enhance Windows 11 adoption, we consulted Microsoft’s Copilot, which suggested a couple of strategies. It recommended “simplifying” the hardware requirements that currently compel many Windows 10 users to replace their functioning PCs to meet Windows 11’s specifications. Additionally, it proposed “extending support for older hardware.”
Microsoft is well-known for “eating its own dog food,” utilizing its products and services internally, and has implemented Copilot for its staff. If the company is unable to grasp user feedback, perhaps it should heed the insights from its own generative AI when considering the reasons behind Windows 11’s slower adoption rate, even after several years in the market.
