Recent data from Valve’s latest Steam Hardware and Software Survey for July 2024 reveals a continued preference among gamers for Windows 10 over its successor, Windows 11. The survey indicates that the usage share of Windows 11 has dropped below 46%, sitting currently at approximately 45.81%. This downturn represents a decrease of 0.82% compared to the previous month. Conversely, Windows 10 has experienced a rebound, climbing 0.74% to a share of 50.16%. This trend is noteworthy for the gaming community, suggesting that a significant segment of users remains hesitant to fully transition to the newer operating system.
A Closer Look at the Data
The decline in Windows 11's share is unexpected but not entirely surprising, considering the range of factors that could influence gamers' preferences. While both Windows 10 and Windows 11 generally deliver a similar gaming experience, certain underlying features may be affecting this trend. For instance, a recent performance test by Hardware Unboxed revealed that, in some scenarios, Windows 10 presents better performance, particularly in games that leverage older technologies that may not fully utilize the enhancements provided by Windows 11. One such feature is Core Isolation, where memory integrity, enabled by default in Windows 11, may hinder performance in specific game titles. Moreover, Microsoft's upcoming end-of-life support for Windows 10, scheduled for October 14, 2025, may push more users to consider upgrading. Despite this, it appears many gamers are currently satisfied with Windows 10, which has long been optimized for a wide range of games and hardware configurations.
The Presence of Legacy Operating Systems
Interestingly, although Valve has ceased to officially support Steam on Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, these older operating systems still maintain a minor presence on the gaming platform. The survey highlights that about 0.41% of Windows users are still on Windows 7, with a slight increase from the previous month, while Windows 8.1 users are at 0.08%. Meanwhile, the results also showthat more modern operating systems like Linux hold a market share of 2.08%. This diverse landscape underlines the varying technological capabilities and potential user experiences across different operating systems.
GPU Landscape and Market Influences
In the realm of hardware competition, Nvidia continues to dominate the GPU market. The RTX 3060, with a share of 5.71%, remains the most used graphics card among gamers on Steam, followed by the GTX 1650 and RTX 3060 Ti. Notably, reports indicate that Nvidia plans to discontinue the RTX 3060, which underscores the ever-evolving nature of GPU technologies and the transition toward newer models, including the RTX 4060.
Upcoming Changes With Windows 11
As Windows 11 strives to catch up with its predecessor, Microsoft is rolling out a new build in its Beta channel, marking a significant step towards enhancing user support. Build 22635.3646 includes the PC Manager app, designed to streamline system performance and management. This tool targets features such as cleaning temporary files, optimizing memory usage, and minimizing unwanted ads. While some may see this as a useful addition, others express concern over the necessity of such optimizers from Microsoft, as the market already features several established options.
Conclusion: A Transition Still in Progress
In conclusion, the results from Valve’s latest survey indicate that while Windows 11 aims to provide an updated experience for gamers, Windows 10 continues to hold a powerful position in the gaming community. The slight decline in Windows 11's market share could be attributing factors, including performance concerns and longstanding user satisfaction with Windows 10's established functionality for gaming. As the October 2025 deadline draws closer for Windows 10 support, it will be interesting to observe whether these trends will shift significantly or if gamers will continue to favor the older operating system during the transition period. In sum, Windows 10's resilience in the gaming arena attests to the importance of performance and user preference in determining the adoption of new software environments like Windows 11, along with critical future support from Microsoft. If you’re a PC gamer contemplating an upgrade, consider these dynamics carefully, as they could greatly affect your gaming experience and system performance in the months to come. For additional details, check the original article on Digital Trends:
PC gamers still prefer Windows 10 over Windows 11 | Digital Trends