Steam’s latest hardware survey for November 2024 reveals a noteworthy shift in the operating system landscape among PC gamers. Windows 11 has experienced a remarkable surge, increasing its market share by 4.18% to reach 52.98%. In contrast, Windows 10 has seen a decline of 4.15%, settling at 43.31%. This trend indicates a growing preference for Windows 11, which is expected to continue as support for Windows 10 is set to conclude in October 2025.
Survey Insights
Valve’s monthly survey provides a comprehensive breakdown of operating system usage among Steam gamers. The November results mark the largest increase for Windows 11 that has been recorded to date. Previously, the most significant rise was 3.4% in August 2024, excluding months where external factors may have skewed the data.
With Windows 11 now holding a nearly 10% lead over its predecessor, the implications for the gaming community are substantial. While a small fraction of users, 0.21%, still cling to Windows 7, this number has slightly decreased by 0.07%.
- Windows PCs dominate the gaming scene, comprising 96.56% of Steam users.
- Linux users are gradually increasing, now at 2.03%.
- Mac gamers account for 1.41%.
The anticipated rise in Windows 11’s popularity is further fueled by Microsoft’s push for upgrades, especially as the end of Windows 10 support looms. However, users unable to transition to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations may find themselves facing challenges. Upgrading components such as the CPU or motherboard, or acquiring a TPM module, could be necessary. Alternatively, some may opt to pay for extended Windows 10 support until October 2026, which could present its own set of financial considerations.
