Microsoft has shared its earnings for the fourth quarter of 2025, concluding on December 31. During the earnings call, the company emphasized the impressive trajectory of its Windows 11 operating system, which is surpassing the performance benchmarks set by its predecessor, Windows 10. Notably, Windows 11 has officially welcomed one billion users worldwide, achieving this remarkable milestone in just 1,576 days, a feat that took Windows 10 1,706 days to accomplish.
Windows 11’s Rapid Adoption
CEO Satya Nadella remarked on this achievement, describing it as a significant milestone for the Windows brand, highlighting the accelerated growth of Windows 11 compared to the earlier version. With the recent discontinuation of Windows 10, a wave of users and enterprises are now poised to upgrade from their aging systems, making Windows 11 the logical choice for their next iteration.
Having been launched on October 5, 2021, Windows 11 has had ample time to evolve within the tech landscape. Initially perceived as a mere reskin of Windows 10, it has transformed into a distinctly modern user experience, featuring updated layouts and a refreshed user interface. However, this evolution has not been without its challenges. As Microsoft sought to unify various functionalities within a single operating system, users encountered a range of issues, including bugs and system crashes, particularly following updates.
Despite the prevalent criticisms surrounding its performance, the success and market penetration of Windows 11 remain undeniable. Microsoft has committed to maintaining Windows 11 as a long-term version, suggesting that users may have to wait some time before the introduction of a successor, such as Windows 12.
In the latest quarterly results, Windows reported a modest 5% year-over-year growth. While this figure reflects an upward trend, it falls short of Microsoft’s expectations. The company had anticipated a more substantial increase driven by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) purchasing Windows 11 license keys and a significant consumer shift towards Windows 11 devices, particularly in light of Windows 10’s end of life.
