As we head into the twilight of Windows 10, significant changes are on the horizon, marking a crucial transition for users. The recent update highlights the urgency for users to migrate to Windows 11 as Microsoft gears up to withdraw free support for Windows 10, effective October 2025. With this deadline now less than 13 months away, the user trend appears to indicate a shift towards Windows 11, which has recently gained traction as the preferred operating system among gamers and general users alike.
The Countdown to End of Life for Windows 10
Microsoft has been vocal about its intention to phase out Windows 10, prompting many users to reconsider their current setups. Coupled with strong incentives to adopt Windows 11, it's no surprise that there's a noticeable migration trend. Although Windows 10 has long enjoyed immense popularity, the latest statistics indicate a decline in its user base as more customers opt for the new system.Statistics Reveal the Shift
Recent data revealed by Stat Counter shows that Windows 11 user numbers are climbing steadily while Windows 10's popularity is waning. According to new figures from Steam, Windows 11 has become the most popular platform for gaming, commanding a significant market share. In just the past month, it has grown nearly 4%, pushing its market share to 49.17%, whereas Windows 10 trails closely behind at 47.09%. This notable trend underlines the possibility that the days of Windows 10 could soon be numbered.The Industry Perspective
Aaron Woodman, the Vice President of Windows Marketing at Microsoft, expressed a sense of inevitability about the declining Windows 10 user base. He noted parallels between the current shift from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and past migrations from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Many users resist transitioning until support for their current operating system runs out, which is an observation supported by historical data. "It doesn't surprise me," Woodman remarked. "We had a bunch of customers on Windows 7 even after we launched Windows 10, until the end of support date for Windows 7. We're actually ahead of the Windows 7 to Windows 10 transition." This suggests that many Windows 10 users may wait until the very last moment to make the switch, although the consequences of doing so in a timely manner can greatly enhance security and performance.The Implications of End of Support
Once Microsoft's end-of-support deadline passes, Windows 10 users will no longer receive crucial updates and security patches. This is a particularly significant risk as cyber threats continue to evolve. The lack of updates could render those systems vulnerable, prompting more users to prioritize the need for a migration to Windows 11. For those unable to transition before the deadline, Microsoft has made provisions for Extended Security Updates. However, this service incurs an annual fee of $61 (approximately £48), and as of now, it is primarily targeted at enterprise customers and not necessarily available to home users.Key Specs for Running Windows 11
Transitioning to Windows 11 won’t be feasible for every user, as the operating system comes with specific hardware requirements. Here’s a quick overview of the necessary specifications:- Processor: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).
- RAM: At least 4 GB.
- Storage: Minimum of 64 GB of available storage is needed to install Windows 11.
- Graphics Card: Must be compatible with DirectX 12 or later, featuring a WDDM 2.0 driver.
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. These specifications may necessitate hardware upgrades for some users, further complicating the migration process.
