Tuesday, November 5th 2024
Windows 11 Gains 3% in OS Market Share, Windows 10 Remains on Top
The battles of operating systems continue, and one fight is internal to the Microsoft Windows user base. Recent data from StatCounter shows that Windows 11 now accounts for 35.58% of Windows installations as of October 2024, recording a modest 3% increase. Meanwhile, Windows 10 continues to power most Windows computers, with a 61% market share. The gradual shift toward Windows 11 comes as Microsoft pushes software updates and hardware partnerships. Large organizations have begun adopting the newer OS, drawn to its updated security features. These include mandatory secure boot protocols and improved protection against credential theft, addressing growing cybersecurity concerns. For individual users, Windows 11 offers updated gaming capabilities through DirectStorage and a redesigned interface. However, many still prefer Windows 10's established stability and broader compatibility with existing hardware and software. Microsoft's recent announcement of a $30 yearly Extended Security Updates subscription acknowledges this divide.
Starting in October 2025, when Windows 10's standard support ends, users can purchase these updates to maintain security protections. Unlike previous programs restricted to business customers, this subscription will be available to all users. The move to Windows 11 faces a significant hurdle: strict system requirements that exclude many older computers. While these standards aim to ensure better performance and security, they effectively prevent many current Windows 10 users from upgrading. Microsoft's plan to add new AI features like Recall and Copilot to Windows 11 could attract more users. Still, the transition largely depends on hardware replacement cycles and users' willingness to adapt to a new system. As Microsoft manages both operating systems, its strategy reflects the challenge of maintaining existing Windows 10 installations while encouraging gradual migration to Windows 11.
Sources:
StatCounter, via Tom's Hardware
Starting in October 2025, when Windows 10's standard support ends, users can purchase these updates to maintain security protections. Unlike previous programs restricted to business customers, this subscription will be available to all users. The move to Windows 11 faces a significant hurdle: strict system requirements that exclude many older computers. While these standards aim to ensure better performance and security, they effectively prevent many current Windows 10 users from upgrading. Microsoft's plan to add new AI features like Recall and Copilot to Windows 11 could attract more users. Still, the transition largely depends on hardware replacement cycles and users' willingness to adapt to a new system. As Microsoft manages both operating systems, its strategy reflects the challenge of maintaining existing Windows 10 installations while encouraging gradual migration to Windows 11.
56 Comments on Windows 11 Gains 3% in OS Market Share, Windows 10 Remains on Top
In a world of highly portable and compatible software developers are forced to use older versions of Windows. There are Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7 sometimes on older computers but mostly in VMware to verify that functionality is Not broken.
PS1: I even have an Acer Aspire Netbook with Windows 95 PE installed on a CF card. Works well and very fast since Windows 95 PE uses 512 MB of memory!
PS2: You will be very surprised to learn that some very big US corporations using very old Microsoft development IDEs, like Visual C++ 6.0 Enerprise ( 1994 technology! ).
Many would find the way to use Linux, just in spite, because it can be run even on a toaster, and has way lower requirements, than any recent, or distant Windows OS. So there's no need to upgrade already perfectly working hardware.Indeed. People just put too much of fear and attention to the so called "security".
Firstly, because the ones, who needs it, will continue to use it. Much like thousands of machines and equipment, used older version from WXP-to W7, in closed/offline environment, for years. The home users can also feel more or less safe, unless they do some deliberate exposure of their PCs to the dangerous environment, and suspicious web resources.
And secondly, because µ$ own stuff is already pretty suspicious and even dangerous, going on the fringe between explicit scam and malware, and so called "security"/"protection" measures, nobody can feel and be safe.Exactly. MS is puushing to hard, but actually have the exaggerated expectations, if they think they can force people with no will or/and money, to go and upgrade. This might be the case, if people will install the W11 (or any MS's next OS), bypassing the TPM and other requirements.It's not becoming popular. MS just deliberately and forcively removes the ability to like, and use the previous OSes. How that can make it more attractive?Unfortunately this is subject to change, and is in the hands of their (platform/storefront) owners, to decide when. Valve was keeping the support for W7, because, games were designed to run on W7, sometimes exclusively on it. And could be brought to the court, for breaching the terms, or removing the sole support for the bought games, by thousands of users. Especially in the class action. But will this remain the case, considering Valves recent "update" of ToS/EULA. They aren't afraid of anyone anymore.
I have no idea why you think NV is interested in developing their own OS and even less idea on why you’d think it would be successful. And Proton isn’t an OS, it’s a translation layer. Steam OS is just a Linux distro, Arch to be precise.
Absolutely free and open source Linux OS failed to shutter Microsoft's position in a segment of Desktop PCs. I'm Not talking about a Server segment OSs where Linux OSs are dominated.
lol nice
I just don't get why this support thing is such a big deal to be honest. It's not like your OS suddenly became unusable overnight simply by not receiving more updates.
It's not so much a big deal as it is something new. Microsoft is providing a way for the average joe to legally and safely continue to use their legacy OS for a reasonable fee. I don't ever recall them doing something like this so the ripple effect in the future will be interesting to observe. People have ALWAYS run legacy versions of Windows outside of their support lifecycles, but this time they might actually remained patched and we might end up with less botnets! :)
Depending on the support structure your average Windows 10 user has they may not be given the option to run an unsupported OS anymore. Anyone technically-savvy is going to see that a minor fee is the far better option for their family/friends compared to running an unpatched, internet-facing OS. "Grandpa, you can't run Windows 10 without paying the fee, haven't you seen the news lately? It's only $30".
Because of the controversy around Windows 11, the unavailability of Windows 10 on devices and the aforementioned push for security I do think people will be happy to shell out the fee on expert advice if it means they avoid ending up on the nightly news. This is all hypothesis though.
The OS Installation is from the refurbish company. The device should be exactly 1 year old now. My refurbished Lenovo laptop is being repaired for a dead display backlight (RMA - 4 weeks). The backside of the notebook has a nice shiny sticker - certified microsoft refurbisher windows license. (I bought that laptop for the odb2 port for my car)
With every windows update in windows 10 pro you see the banner and other annoyance for windows 11. (on an unsupported plattform)