Windows 11 has officially surpassed Windows 10 in market share, marking a significant milestone in Microsoft's operating system evolution. According to StatCounter's July 2025 data, Windows 11 now holds 52% of the market, while Windows 10 has declined to 44.59% (thurrott.com). This shift comes nearly four years after Windows 11's initial release in October 2021.
The adoption trajectory of Windows 11 has been gradual yet steady. By the end of 2022, it had captured less than 10% of the market. This figure rose to 28% in 2023 and reached 36% by late 2024 (techpowerup.com). The recent surge is largely attributed to the impending end of support for Windows 10, scheduled for October 14, 2025. Microsoft's proactive efforts to encourage users to upgrade have also played a crucial role in this transition.
A significant factor in Windows 11's growth is the natural hardware upgrade cycle. Since 2021, most new laptops and PCs have been shipped with Windows 11 pre-installed, facilitating its adoption. Additionally, Microsoft's announcement of Windows 10's end-of-support date has prompted many users and organizations to transition to the newer OS to ensure continued security updates and support (theregister.com).
Despite the rise of Windows 11, a substantial portion of users remain on Windows 10. As of July 2025, 44.59% of PCs still run Windows 10 (thurrott.com). To address this, Microsoft has introduced options for users to extend security updates. Consumers can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, with one year of free updates available by syncing settings to the cloud or redeeming Microsoft Rewards points (tech.yahoo.com).
Windows 11's adoption has been met with both enthusiasm and criticism. Users appreciate its aesthetic updates and integrated AI features, such as the Copilot AI. However, concerns over telemetry, online features affecting privacy, and strict hardware requirements have deterred some from upgrading (techspot.com).
In response to user feedback, Microsoft has made several updates to Windows 11. Notably, the traditional blue screen of death (BSOD) has been replaced with a black background. The new screen omits the sad smiley face and QR code, instead displaying the error code and the name of the driver associated with the error. This design aims to simplify diagnostics and make the information more useful for users and specialists (techpowerup.com).
As the October 2025 deadline approaches, it's anticipated that more users will transition to Windows 11. Microsoft continues to encourage this shift, emphasizing the benefits of the newer operating system and the importance of staying updated for security and performance reasons.
In conclusion, Windows 11's overtaking of Windows 10 in market share signifies a pivotal moment in Microsoft's operating system landscape. While the transition has been gradual, the combination of hardware upgrades, impending end-of-support for Windows 10, and Microsoft's initiatives have collectively driven the adoption of Windows 11.
Source: hi-Tech.ua Windows 11 overtook Windows 10 in the number of installations in just 4 years
