As July 2025 approaches, Windows 10 will celebrate a decade of service, marking a significant milestone in the realm of operating systems. However, this anniversary also coincides with the impending end-of-life status for Windows 10, set for October 2025. Microsoft has established a clear framework for supporting its operating systems, typically offering five years of broader support followed by an additional five years dedicated to security updates. This policy encourages both consumers and businesses to transition to the latest version to ensure ongoing security and functionality.
Understanding Windows 10’s Transition
Windows 10 has proven to be a remarkably resilient operating system, often referred to as “sticky” due to its user base’s reluctance to migrate to newer versions. This hesitance can be attributed to various factors, including concerns over telemetry and the extensive online features that Windows 11 introduces. Additionally, Windows 11 imposes hardware requirements, such as the TPM 2.0 standard, which some older motherboards do not support. While there are methods to bypass this requirement, Microsoft has taken a firm stance against these workarounds, aiming to guide users toward upgrading their hardware.
Recent data from StatCounter.com indicates a notable increase in Windows 11’s market share, which has reached 36.65%, the highest figure recorded to date. In contrast, Windows 10’s share has gradually declined to 60.33%. Windows 7 remains a distant third, holding around 2.4% of the market. Many large enterprises, particularly those reliant on legacy applications, often opt to pay for extended security support rather than undertake the complex process of upgrading their internal systems. A prime example of this is the UK National Health Service, which continued using Windows XP until its eventual upgrade to Windows 10 in 2018.
Microsoft and its OEM partners are optimistic that the end-of-life status for Windows 10 will catalyze a wave of upgrades to modern PCs throughout 2025. However, external factors, such as trade tensions initiated by the U.S. government, pose potential challenges. Tariffs and restrictions affecting chip manufacturers and PC builders in Asia could lead to increased prices for electronics, complicating the upgrade path for many consumers and businesses alike.
Interestingly, Valve’s Steam Hardware Survey for January reveals that Windows 11 has experienced a slight dip in market share, losing ground to both macOS and Windows 10. Despite this, Windows 11 remains the dominant gaming operating system, capturing approximately 54% of the gaming market. Overall, Windows commands an impressive 96% share on Steam, with the Steam Deck contributing to a modest increase in Linux’s market presence, now at around 2%, surpassing macOS’s 1.4% share.
