The slow decline of Windows 10 has been a topic of growing interest among Windows users, IT professionals, and industry analysts alike. With the official end-of-life date set for October 14, 2025, Windows 10 is now firmly on a path toward obsolescence, prompting organizations and individuals to consider their next steps amid a shifting operating system landscape. Recent statements from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, corroborated by independent market data, shine a fresh spotlight on the growing momentum behind Windows 11—a transformation that marks one of the boldest shifts in the Windows user base since the software giant first dominated the PC market.
Since Windows 11’s debut in October 2021, Microsoft has methodically encouraged users to migrate, but the transition from Windows 10 has not been as rapid as the company might have wished. Support for Windows 10 will officially cease in the fourth quarter of 2025, at which point the OS will no longer receive security updates or patch new vulnerabilities. Microsoft’s approach is clear—without ongoing updates, the vast installed base of Windows 10 PCs will be left to fend for themselves, exposed to the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.
IT departments, particularly in enterprise and government sectors, have interpreted this announcement as a line in the sand. The practical implications are significant: for many organizations, running unsupported software is not merely a technical issue but a matter of regulatory compliance and risk management. As entities prepare for the sunset of Windows 10, the migration to Windows 11 or alternative platforms has become increasingly urgent.
Yet, as numerous reports highlight, the end of Windows 10’s reign has not triggered a mass exodus. Rather, the OS has continued to dominate the global Windows market share for years after the introduction of its successor. According to StatCounter’s publicly accessible data, Windows 10 accounted for approximately 70% of the total Windows user base in April 2024. Fast forward twelve months, and that figure had dropped to just 54%. This steady, if somewhat measured, decline underscores a deep-seated attachment to Windows 10 and hints at the frictions impeding migration.
Verifying this figure requires context and careful scrutiny. Commercial deployment, in Microsoft’s parlance, typically refers to units sold and switched on—either through direct hardware sales, enterprise upgrades, or new device installations. While independent validation of exact numbers is inherently challenging, both StatCounter’s Windows market share data and anecdotal reports from large OEMs and channel partners support the narrative of accelerated Windows 11 adoption. However, it is important to note that Nadella’s statistics likely reflect growth metrics within specific commercial channels rather than the total global user base.
Other independent sources, such as telemetry and analytics from AdDuplex and Lansweeper, echo similar trends—showing consistent, though regionally variable, increases in Windows 11 usage. As with all corporate-supplied statistics, a measure of transparency—and skepticism—is prudent. Many organizations conduct large-scale rolling upgrades, meaning official deployment numbers might temporarily surge due to enterprise contract renewals or hardware refresh cycles. Still, the reported year-over-year growth, approaching 75%, aligns directionally with public and third-party data.
The most recent milestone, Windows 11 24H2, arrived in October 2024, bringing with it a suite of new capabilities. Key highlights include:
Looking ahead, the next major update—Windows 11 25H2—is rumored, according to reporting from Windows Central and backed by Microsoft’s public Insider build deployment schedule, to arrive between September and October 2025. Early developer channel builds (the 26200 series) have already entered testing, hinting at upcoming features focused on productivity, cloud integration, and—reportedly—further AI enhancements. As always, specifics remain subject to change until final release notes are published.
In these contexts, Nadella’s enthusiastic framing of deployment rates—while broadly accurate—should be viewed in light of the broader, messier reality: migration is happening, albeit at a pace determined by complex technical, financial, and human factors.
For home users on very old hardware, the options are similarly stark: either upgrade the PC or risk operating an insecure machine. While Microsoft has not announced any extended paid support plans for consumers, there are some reports (as yet unconfirmed) that large organizations may be able to negotiate custom support contracts, similar to those provided for Windows 7 after its end of life.
In summary, while sentimental and practical reasons might keep users on Windows 10 for a while longer, the hazards of running unsupported software in an era of rampant cybercrime are too grave to ignore.
From a financial perspective, the Windows transition is less about direct revenue and more about maintaining a healthy, engaged ecosystem for its broader portfolio. New hardware sales, growing demand for Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and increased engagement with cloud-connected features are all secondary dividends of a successful OS transition.
The journey from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is marked by both tangible benefits and real-world challenges. For most, upgrading is not only a matter of convenience but an imperative for staying secure and supported. Yet, the attachment to Windows 10—the “last great version” in the eyes of many—serves as a testament to its enduring utility and user-friendly design.
As Microsoft prepares to turn the page, the lessons from this transition will inform future efforts—not just for operating systems, but for how technology companies shepherd entire communities into new computing eras. For users and IT pros alike, the next eighteen months offer a window to plan, test, and adapt—ensuring the shift is as smooth and secure as possible. The death of Windows 10, while slow, is inevitable; the promise of Windows 11 is that the next chapter may be safer, smarter, and better connected than ever before.
Source: Laptop Mag Amid the slow death of Windows 10, Microsoft's CEO reveals a bold stat about Windows 11
The Waning Era of Windows 10
Since Windows 11’s debut in October 2021, Microsoft has methodically encouraged users to migrate, but the transition from Windows 10 has not been as rapid as the company might have wished. Support for Windows 10 will officially cease in the fourth quarter of 2025, at which point the OS will no longer receive security updates or patch new vulnerabilities. Microsoft’s approach is clear—without ongoing updates, the vast installed base of Windows 10 PCs will be left to fend for themselves, exposed to the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.IT departments, particularly in enterprise and government sectors, have interpreted this announcement as a line in the sand. The practical implications are significant: for many organizations, running unsupported software is not merely a technical issue but a matter of regulatory compliance and risk management. As entities prepare for the sunset of Windows 10, the migration to Windows 11 or alternative platforms has become increasingly urgent.
Yet, as numerous reports highlight, the end of Windows 10’s reign has not triggered a mass exodus. Rather, the OS has continued to dominate the global Windows market share for years after the introduction of its successor. According to StatCounter’s publicly accessible data, Windows 10 accounted for approximately 70% of the total Windows user base in April 2024. Fast forward twelve months, and that figure had dropped to just 54%. This steady, if somewhat measured, decline underscores a deep-seated attachment to Windows 10 and hints at the frictions impeding migration.
Satya Nadella’s Bold Claim: Windows 11’s Growth Spurt
Against this backdrop, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s public remarks made waves in both financial circles and the tech community. “We continue to see increased commercial traction as we approach end of support for Windows 10. Windows 11 commercial deployments increased nearly 75% year over year,” Nadella shared during his post-earnings call for the company’s third-quarter 2025 fiscal year.Verifying this figure requires context and careful scrutiny. Commercial deployment, in Microsoft’s parlance, typically refers to units sold and switched on—either through direct hardware sales, enterprise upgrades, or new device installations. While independent validation of exact numbers is inherently challenging, both StatCounter’s Windows market share data and anecdotal reports from large OEMs and channel partners support the narrative of accelerated Windows 11 adoption. However, it is important to note that Nadella’s statistics likely reflect growth metrics within specific commercial channels rather than the total global user base.
Other independent sources, such as telemetry and analytics from AdDuplex and Lansweeper, echo similar trends—showing consistent, though regionally variable, increases in Windows 11 usage. As with all corporate-supplied statistics, a measure of transparency—and skepticism—is prudent. Many organizations conduct large-scale rolling upgrades, meaning official deployment numbers might temporarily surge due to enterprise contract renewals or hardware refresh cycles. Still, the reported year-over-year growth, approaching 75%, aligns directionally with public and third-party data.
Why the Reluctance? Stubborn Attachments to Windows 10
If the advantages of Windows 11 are significant, why then has Windows 10’s decline been so slow? Several key reasons surface repeatedly in user forums, media analyses, and interviews with industry professionals.Hardware Compatibility Concerns
One of the most significant blockers to migration is hardware compatibility. Microsoft’s new, stricter minimum requirements for Windows 11—especially the need for TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot—exclude a substantial portion of PCs made before 2018. For home users and businesses alike, this raises the unappealing prospect of either buying a new computer or risking unsupported installations. As highlighted by Copilot, Microsoft’s own AI assistant built into Windows 11, performance bottlenecks on older systems further deter users from making the leap.Familiarity and User Interface
Changes to the Start menu design, as well as to system controls and settings, have frustrated many longtime Windows users. The outcry on social communities and editorial platforms—including those voiced by Laptop Reviews Editor Rami Tabari—reflects broader dissatisfaction with Windows 11’s visual and operational overhauls. While Windows 11 introduces numerous design refinements aimed at consistency and modernity, not all users view these changes favorably. The learning curve—however mild in technological terms—remains a source of friction.Control Over System Updates
Windows 10 users often cite the desire for more granular control over updates as another motivation for staying put. Historically, Windows 10 offered more visible options for deferring feature or quality updates, giving power users greater autonomy over their systems. Windows 11, while evolving its update mechanism toward seamlessness and reliability, has adopted a cadence that some users perceive as more aggressive or disruptive.Legacy Application Support
Some specialized professional and industrial software, often tailored to specific Windows 10 environments, has yet to be certified for Windows 11. This is particularly true in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and legacy enterprise resource planning. For organizations tethered to such applications, migration risks business disruption—a strong incentive to remain on Windows 10 until absolutely necessary.Windows 11: What’s New and What’s Next
Despite resistance, Windows 11 continues to enhance its value proposition through robust feature releases and security improvements. Microsoft rolls out new features in major semi-annual “feature updates,” typically in the second half of each calendar year, alongside regular monthly security updates (“Patch Tuesday”).The most recent milestone, Windows 11 24H2, arrived in October 2024, bringing with it a suite of new capabilities. Key highlights include:
- Improved integration of AI-powered features, primarily through the Windows Copilot experience.
- Expanded support for ARM64 devices, better aligning Windows with the industry trend toward efficient, low-power chip architectures.
- Enhanced accessibility features, including improvements for those with visual or physical impairments.
- Streamlined system installation and configuration workflows, making initial setup faster and more intuitive for both consumers and IT staff.
- Expanded options for Android app compatibility, leveraging the Windows Subsystem for Android.
Looking ahead, the next major update—Windows 11 25H2—is rumored, according to reporting from Windows Central and backed by Microsoft’s public Insider build deployment schedule, to arrive between September and October 2025. Early developer channel builds (the 26200 series) have already entered testing, hinting at upcoming features focused on productivity, cloud integration, and—reportedly—further AI enhancements. As always, specifics remain subject to change until final release notes are published.
Windows 11 Adoption: Risks, Rewards, and Practical Considerations
While the migration to Windows 11 brings clear benefits, it is not without trade-offs and challenges.The Rewards
- Stronger Security Posture: With more robust default security configurations, ongoing patching, and better hardware support for advanced security features, Windows 11 offers a futureproofed platform for organizations worried about ransomware and zero-day threats.
- Improved Productivity Tools: Native support for AI-driven workflows, tighter Teams integration, and new multitasking enhancements (such as Snap Layouts) make Windows 11 an appealing option for hybrid and remote work scenarios.
- Continuity of Support: Migrating before end-of-life avoids gaps in critical security patches and ensures compliance with most regulatory standards, including those required in healthcare, finance, and government.
The Risks
- Legacy Software Incompatibility: Some older applications or drivers may not run smoothly—or at all—on Windows 11, meaning organizations must audit their software ecosystems before upgrading.
- Forced Hardware Upgrades: For users of PCs older than five or six years, system requirements for Windows 11 can necessitate significant capital expenditure, both at home and in the enterprise.
- Adoption Fatigue: Ongoing resistance to UI/UX changes may lead to reduced productivity or user dissatisfaction, particularly in conservative or risk-averse organizations.
Uncertainties and Conflicting Reports
There remain conflicting reports about the true pace of Windows 11 adoption in specific regions and sectors. Some surveys suggest small businesses are lagging behind large enterprises in migration rates, while certain educational institutions remain locked into older hardware cycles. Furthermore, reports of users using registry hacks or third-party utilities to enable Windows 11 installations on unsupported hardware complicate the true user count—these systems may or may not receive future updates reliably.In these contexts, Nadella’s enthusiastic framing of deployment rates—while broadly accurate—should be viewed in light of the broader, messier reality: migration is happening, albeit at a pace determined by complex technical, financial, and human factors.
Is Staying on Windows 10 Worth the Risk?
The calculus for those considering sticking with Windows 10 after support ends is clear-cut for most IT professionals: the risks do not outweigh the benefits. Without security updates, users will become increasingly vulnerable to exploits, especially as attackers pivot to target known but unpatched vulnerabilities.For home users on very old hardware, the options are similarly stark: either upgrade the PC or risk operating an insecure machine. While Microsoft has not announced any extended paid support plans for consumers, there are some reports (as yet unconfirmed) that large organizations may be able to negotiate custom support contracts, similar to those provided for Windows 7 after its end of life.
In summary, while sentimental and practical reasons might keep users on Windows 10 for a while longer, the hazards of running unsupported software in an era of rampant cybercrime are too grave to ignore.
The Bigger Picture: Windows as a (Smaller) Piece of Microsoft’s Empire
It’s important to contextualize these changes within Microsoft’s broader business model. For all the attention Windows receives, it accounts for a relatively small slice of Microsoft’s massive revenue stream—just 9% of the company’s $245 billion fiscal year revenue in 2024. The company’s primary growth drivers now reside in cloud services (Azure), productivity apps (Microsoft 365), and AI-powered solutions.From a financial perspective, the Windows transition is less about direct revenue and more about maintaining a healthy, engaged ecosystem for its broader portfolio. New hardware sales, growing demand for Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and increased engagement with cloud-connected features are all secondary dividends of a successful OS transition.
Conclusion: A Carefully Managed Transition
As Windows 10 approaches end-of-life, the transition to Windows 11 is accelerating, driven both by necessity and Microsoft’s concerted efforts to add value to its latest platform. CEO Satya Nadella’s assertion of a nearly 75% year-over-year increase in commercial deployments is broadly supported by public market data and industry analysis, though granular breakdowns and user sentiment reveal a more nuanced reality.The journey from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is marked by both tangible benefits and real-world challenges. For most, upgrading is not only a matter of convenience but an imperative for staying secure and supported. Yet, the attachment to Windows 10—the “last great version” in the eyes of many—serves as a testament to its enduring utility and user-friendly design.
As Microsoft prepares to turn the page, the lessons from this transition will inform future efforts—not just for operating systems, but for how technology companies shepherd entire communities into new computing eras. For users and IT pros alike, the next eighteen months offer a window to plan, test, and adapt—ensuring the shift is as smooth and secure as possible. The death of Windows 10, while slow, is inevitable; the promise of Windows 11 is that the next chapter may be safer, smarter, and better connected than ever before.
Source: Laptop Mag Amid the slow death of Windows 10, Microsoft's CEO reveals a bold stat about Windows 11
