Since its announcement in October 2021, Microsoft has faced challenges in persuading PC users to transition to Windows 11. Despite a strong preference for Windows 10, the company is steadfast in its plan to discontinue support for this widely used operating system on October 14, 2025. Just a year ago, this strategy appeared questionable, as statistics indicated that twice as many laptops and desktop PCs were operating on Windows 10 compared to its successor.
In an effort to encourage upgrades, Microsoft deployed full-screen reminders on PCs, branding 2025 as the “year of the Windows 11 PC refresh.” Executives urged consumers to prioritize upgrading their PCs over other gadgets, such as refrigerators, televisions, or mobile phones, as the deadline approached.
Between May and June 2025, Windows 11 usage saw an increase of over 4%. At this pace, it is on track to surpass Windows 10 as the most popular operating system sooner than anticipated. However, despite this growth, Windows 10’s market share has unexpectedly risen, leaving Microsoft with just nine months until the deadline.
Recent statistics reveal a significant uptick in Windows 11’s market share, although it has yet to eclipse Windows 10. The gap has narrowed to a mere 1%. With only 114 days remaining until Microsoft ceases support for Windows 10, the trend suggests that Windows 11 could soon become the most utilized operating system from the tech giant.
According to StatCounter, Windows 10’s share dropped from 66% of all PCs in June 2024 to 49% in June 2025, while Windows 11 surged from 29% to over 47%. Given that there are over one billion devices running some version of Windows globally, these percentage changes translate to millions of new laptops, tablets, and desktop PCs.
The reasons behind this recent surge in Windows 11 adoption remain somewhat unclear. However, it is plausible that Microsoft’s persistent warnings on social media, along with full-screen prompts and cautionary messages regarding the impending loss of support for Windows 10, are beginning to resonate with users.
Typically, there is a delay in the public’s transition to a new operating system, often due to concerns about compatibility with accessories, software, or critical workflow components. Yet, the shift from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has taken longer than previous transitions, likely due to Microsoft’s stringent minimum system requirements for the new OS. These requirements have prevented many PCs capable of running Windows 10 from upgrading to Windows 11 without incurring costs.
Despite ongoing speculation about a potential relaxation of these requirements, Microsoft has maintained its strict hardware standards, which are deemed essential for modern security measures.
Microsoft has introduced a new category of Windows 11 PCs, known as Copilot+ PCs, featuring additional capabilities not available in other versions of Windows 11, thanks to specialized AI chipsets.
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Compounding the situation, Microsoft is heavily marketing its new Copilot+ PC category as the premier offering for Windows 11 users. These machines are touted as “the fastest, most intelligent, and most secure Windows PCs ever built,” according to Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, in a recent blog post. Launched last summer by Microsoft, Lenovo, Samsung, and other prominent manufacturers, these laptops boast exclusive Windows 11 features unavailable on non-Copilot+ machines.
Microsoft claims that Copilot+ PCs can be up to five times faster than popular five-year-old Windows PCs, with top models reportedly outperforming a MacBook Air with M3 by 58%. The new category includes processors from various manufacturers, such as Snapdragon, AMD Ryzen AI, and Intel Core Ultra.
Security remains a focal point for Microsoft, with the company asserting that it is “at the heart of everything” they do. Windows 11 devices are shipped with numerous security features enabled by default, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding customer data.
To fully experience the features of Windows 11, consumers must ensure their next purchase is labeled as a Copilot+ PC, meeting the latest criteria from Microsoft, which includes 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and an NPU to enable advanced AI functionalities.
Despite the millions of PCs unable to upgrade to Windows 11—potentially forcing around 240 million working machines into landfill—Microsoft remains resolute in its hardware requirements, framing them as vital for contemporary security protection. Mehdi reiterated this commitment, emphasizing the company’s focus on data security.
According to IDC data cited by Microsoft, nearly 80% of businesses plan to refresh their PC portfolios by the end of 2025, while 70% of everyday consumers are expected to upgrade their PCs within the next two years.
For those who may have overlooked the announcement, starting from October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease to provide free software updates to address vulnerabilities, bugs, and critical glitches in Windows 10. Users who continue to operate on this platform will be left “at greater risk for viruses and malware,” as Microsoft warns that any discovered flaws will remain unaddressed, leaving millions of PCs vulnerable to exploitation.
Beyond security concerns, compatibility issues are likely to escalate. While Microsoft has recently extended support for its own 365 apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, this support is also set to conclude in October 2025.
Since the launch of Windows 11 four years ago, the minimum system requirements have sparked controversy due to their stringent demands, which many older computers cannot meet. To install Windows 11, a computer must possess a 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of memory (RAM), 64GB of storage, and specific security features such as UEFI firmware with Secure Boot and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
The TPM is a small hardware component designed to enhance security by securely storing sensitive information like encryption keys and passwords, protecting against malware and unauthorized access. Secure Boot ensures that only trusted software runs during the computer’s startup, preventing attacks that could compromise the system before the operating system loads.
Microsoft introduced these requirements to bolster security and leverage modern hardware capabilities. Naturally, new desktop PCs or laptops purchased with Windows 11 preinstalled will include all necessary hardware. However, many existing computers with sufficient processing power to run Windows 10 lack these additional security features, such as TPM 2.0, rendering them ineligible for the upgrade despite their functionality.
This situation has frustrated users eager to take advantage of Microsoft’s free upgrade offer, leaving them with the choice of either upgrading their hardware or remaining on Windows 10 after the operating system ceases to receive updates later this year.
Critics argue that the requirements are excessively stringent, compelling users to replace otherwise capable computers, resulting in unnecessary costs and contributing to electronic waste.
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If your current Windows 10 PC does not meet the minimum system requirements for a free upgrade to Windows 11, you have two options: either invest in a new machine with Windows 11 preinstalled or subscribe to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 to continue receiving critical security patches and bug fixes.
Enterprise users will incur a charge of (£48) for the first year of additional support, escalating to 4 (£192) for the third and final year. In contrast, consumers can access this support for a much more reasonable (£24) for an extra year of critical Windows 10 updates, marking the first time Microsoft has extended ESU to everyday PC owners.
For those exploring alternatives, some users are turning to Linux distributions to keep older hardware operational, while Google is facilitating the transition for dissatisfied Windows 10 users to its ChromeOS Flex—a variant of the software that powers its popular Chromebooks.
