Windows 11 has taken nearly four years to surpass its older sibling, but today it controls just over 52% of the Windows desktop and laptop landscape—a significant turning point, especially with Microsoft’s end-of-support deadline for Windows 10 now looming just over three months away. According to recently published data from StatCounter, Windows 11’s share of the global desktop market overtook Windows 10 for the first time, marking a critical milestone for Microsoft and reshaping the conversation about operating system upgrades, digital security, and the future of the personal computer ecosystem.
Windows 10, launched in July 2015, quickly positioned itself as “the last version of Windows,” with incremental updates ensuring longevity. Its modern UI, support lifecycle, and free upgrade incentives drew millions within months. In comparison, Windows 11’s journey has been considerably slower. Launched in October 2021, Windows 11 took more than twice as long as its predecessor to surpass even 400 million active installations, let alone command a majority market share.
Several reasons explain this protracted adoption curve. For one, Microsoft’s initial messaging around Windows 10 as a “service” led users to believe no new version would succeed it, dampening expectations and urgency when Windows 11 was announced. Second, Windows 11 introduced far stricter hardware requirements. Particularly controversial were the needs for Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and newer-generation CPUs, which instantly rendered otherwise functional millions of PCs ineligible for the free upgrade.
This left a significant portion of the Windows user base facing a dilemma as the Windows 10 support deadline neared: upgrade to a new machine, pay for security updates, switch to alternative operating systems, or continue running unsupported and potentially vulnerable systems.
The implications are serious. Without updates, Windows 10 machines will, by Microsoft’s own admission, face mounting security vulnerabilities. Once a flaw is identified, hackers will have a continuous window to exploit it, unchecked. For enterprise IT leaders, small businesses, and home users alike, this risk is compounded by the fact that cyberattacks have grown more sophisticated, frequent, and costly in recent years.
Beyond security, compatibility will become a pressing issue. Windows 10 users will be unable to run the latest versions of key applications, face device driver stagnation, and quickly find themselves excluded from both consumer and enterprise innovation cycles.
Copilot+ PCs are defined by their AI capabilities, enabled by specialist neural processing units (NPUs) in the latest silicon from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm. These devices offer enhanced multitasking, AI-powered text summarization, natural language responses via Windows Copilot, and advanced security features.
Microsoft makes bold claims about Copilot+ PCs’ performance, stating that flagship models are up to five times faster than popular five-year-old Windows laptops, and in some synthetic benchmarks, are 58% faster than the new Apple MacBook Air powered by the M3 chip. These numbers are difficult to verify independently, but early reviews suggest real and measurable improvement in everyday productivity tasks, especially those involving AI and multitasking.
Most critically, Microsoft is positioning Copilot+ as the only way to enjoy the full breadth of Windows 11’s new capabilities. Features like Recall—a tool for searching across your PC’s entire history using natural language queries—will only function on devices with an NPU and at least 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage. This approach, while accelerating innovation, also risks accelerating e-waste and exacerbating digital divides, as many current PCs—even those several years old—can’t meet the requirements.
It’s important to note, however, that IDC relies on predictive modeling and vendor surveys, which may overstate the pace of actual upgrades. Many small businesses, for example, continue to run unsupported operating systems for years past official deadlines, particularly in emerging markets with tighter budgets.
While Microsoft touts energy savings and security benefits of modern PCs, the forced obsolescence leaves an undeniable environmental cost. E-waste is a mounting global crisis; the United Nations estimates that 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2019, with less than 20% being formally recycled. As the Windows ecosystem alone accounts for over a billion devices, decisions on compatibility and support life cycles have outsized influence.
Security researchers consistently underscore that unsupported operating systems are a favored target for cybercriminals: vulnerabilities go unpatched, exploits are quickly commoditized, and the consequences—from ransomware to data breaches to infrastructure disruption—can be catastrophic. For regulated industries, running unsupported software may also result in legal and financial penalties.
For users, the choice is now stark and urgent. Staying put on Windows 10 invites escalating risk; upgrading means confronting both technical and environmental realities. For Microsoft, the real test will be sustaining this momentum while addressing the legitimate concerns of its enormous user base, both present and future.
With Copilot+ PCs, stricter security policies, and an unapologetic focus on the future, Microsoft is charting an ambitious new course—one that, in the coming months, will shape not just its products, but the very nature of the personal computing landscape itself.
Source: GB News Have YOU ditched Windows 10 yet? Windows 11 scores important victory just 99 days before crucial deadline
The Road to Windows 11’s Dominance
Windows 10, launched in July 2015, quickly positioned itself as “the last version of Windows,” with incremental updates ensuring longevity. Its modern UI, support lifecycle, and free upgrade incentives drew millions within months. In comparison, Windows 11’s journey has been considerably slower. Launched in October 2021, Windows 11 took more than twice as long as its predecessor to surpass even 400 million active installations, let alone command a majority market share.Several reasons explain this protracted adoption curve. For one, Microsoft’s initial messaging around Windows 10 as a “service” led users to believe no new version would succeed it, dampening expectations and urgency when Windows 11 was announced. Second, Windows 11 introduced far stricter hardware requirements. Particularly controversial were the needs for Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and newer-generation CPUs, which instantly rendered otherwise functional millions of PCs ineligible for the free upgrade.
This left a significant portion of the Windows user base facing a dilemma as the Windows 10 support deadline neared: upgrade to a new machine, pay for security updates, switch to alternative operating systems, or continue running unsupported and potentially vulnerable systems.
Microsoft’s End-of-Support Deadline: Security, Choices, and Complications
On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially end free support for Windows 10. After that, computers running the system will not receive routine security patches or bug fixes. This clear-cut policy stands in stark contrast to Microsoft’s recent extension for Office 365 apps, whose support has been delayed by three years, stoking hope among some users that Windows 10 could see a similar reprieve. But company executives have categorically refused to extend Windows 10 support, reemphasizing the need for users to move on.The implications are serious. Without updates, Windows 10 machines will, by Microsoft’s own admission, face mounting security vulnerabilities. Once a flaw is identified, hackers will have a continuous window to exploit it, unchecked. For enterprise IT leaders, small businesses, and home users alike, this risk is compounded by the fact that cyberattacks have grown more sophisticated, frequent, and costly in recent years.
Beyond security, compatibility will become a pressing issue. Windows 10 users will be unable to run the latest versions of key applications, face device driver stagnation, and quickly find themselves excluded from both consumer and enterprise innovation cycles.
Market Share Shifts and User Reluctance
Despite Microsoft’s strong-arm tactics—including conspicuous full-screen upgrade reminders, social media campaigns, and warnings about looming security risks—Windows 10 held onto its crown for a surprising length of time. As of the latest StatCounter report, Windows 11’s market share surge could be attributed to a confluence of factors:- Microsoft’s elevated marketing efforts and threat messaging around the support cutoff
- New device sales, especially in the business sector, as enterprises prepare for end-of-support by refreshing hardware fleets
- Growing public awareness of cybersecurity threats and increased willingness to upgrade for peace of mind
The AI Revolution: Copilot+ PCs and the Next Hardware Wave
Fueling further change is Microsoft’s aggressive push for a new hardware category—Copilot+ PCs. Unveiled alongside AI-powered innovations in Windows 11, these devices represent a core part of Microsoft’s bid to differentiate Windows 11 from its predecessors, and even from Mac and ChromeOS rivals.Copilot+ PCs are defined by their AI capabilities, enabled by specialist neural processing units (NPUs) in the latest silicon from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm. These devices offer enhanced multitasking, AI-powered text summarization, natural language responses via Windows Copilot, and advanced security features.
Microsoft makes bold claims about Copilot+ PCs’ performance, stating that flagship models are up to five times faster than popular five-year-old Windows laptops, and in some synthetic benchmarks, are 58% faster than the new Apple MacBook Air powered by the M3 chip. These numbers are difficult to verify independently, but early reviews suggest real and measurable improvement in everyday productivity tasks, especially those involving AI and multitasking.
Most critically, Microsoft is positioning Copilot+ as the only way to enjoy the full breadth of Windows 11’s new capabilities. Features like Recall—a tool for searching across your PC’s entire history using natural language queries—will only function on devices with an NPU and at least 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage. This approach, while accelerating innovation, also risks accelerating e-waste and exacerbating digital divides, as many current PCs—even those several years old—can’t meet the requirements.
Comparing the Upgrade Paths: Options and Their Ramifications
As the end-of-support deadline draws near, Windows 10 users face several choices. Each path carries its own benefits, drawbacks, and potential consequences:- Upgrade to Windows 11:
- Pros: Access to ongoing security updates, new features, and latest application support; ensures compliance for businesses; unlocks AI-powered workflows if using Copilot+ hardware.
- Cons: Older hardware might not be compatible, requiring expensive new purchases.
- Buy a new PC (ideally, a Copilot+ PC):
- Pros: Guarantees compatibility, future-proofing, and access to AI features.
- Cons: Significant upfront cost, environmental impact due to forced hardware refresh.
- Pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU):
- Pros: Short-term extension of support, especially useful for enterprise and legacy systems.
- Cons: Annual subscription fee (with costs historically increasing each year), only delays eventual need to move.
- Switch to an alternative OS (Linux, ChromeOS, etc.):
- Pros: Possible to extend hardware lifespan, lower hardware requirements, no upfront software costs.
- Cons: Compatibility issues, especially for specialized software and gaming; retraining required; not a viable option for all users.
- Continue using Windows 10 past October 2025:
- Pros: Zero cost, no disruption to current workflow.
- Cons: Quickly escalating security risk, exclusion from future updates and applications, potential for compliance violations in enterprise.
Enterprise vs. Consumer Response
Research cited by Microsoft from IDC indicates nearly 80% of businesses plan to refresh their PC portfolios by the deadline, and 70% of everyday consumers expect to do the same within two years. While these numbers seem optimistic, especially considering persistent economic uncertainties and increasing longevity of hardware, they do line up with observable trends: businesses prioritize security, compliance, and user experience, while consumers respond to both carrot (new features, performance) and stick (security warnings, app lockouts).It’s important to note, however, that IDC relies on predictive modeling and vendor surveys, which may overstate the pace of actual upgrades. Many small businesses, for example, continue to run unsupported operating systems for years past official deadlines, particularly in emerging markets with tighter budgets.
Environmental Risks and E-Waste Concerns
One of the less discussed but crucial aspects of the Windows 11 transition is the environmental impact. Industry analysts, advocacy groups, and journalists have warned that Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements could push hundreds of millions of otherwise-functional devices toward landfill. This risk is amplified as consumers and businesses are urged not just to upgrade software, but to purchase new, AI-capable hardware.While Microsoft touts energy savings and security benefits of modern PCs, the forced obsolescence leaves an undeniable environmental cost. E-waste is a mounting global crisis; the United Nations estimates that 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2019, with less than 20% being formally recycled. As the Windows ecosystem alone accounts for over a billion devices, decisions on compatibility and support life cycles have outsized influence.
Security: The Central Theme
Above all, the October 2025 deadline reinforces a central theme: the critical role of timely security updates in the modern digital world. As Windows 10 loses its safety net, and Windows 11’s technical superiority is partly justified by default-on security features (like Virtualization-Based Security, Windows Hello, and hardware-level protections), the focus on safeguarding users against rapidly growing cyber threats has never been sharper.Security researchers consistently underscore that unsupported operating systems are a favored target for cybercriminals: vulnerabilities go unpatched, exploits are quickly commoditized, and the consequences—from ransomware to data breaches to infrastructure disruption—can be catastrophic. For regulated industries, running unsupported software may also result in legal and financial penalties.
Open Questions and Looking Ahead
Even with Windows 11 finally leading the market, several questions remain:- Will Microsoft face further backlash over e-waste, and will regulators step in to demand longer device life cycles or right-to-repair measures?
- Will late adopters or cost-sensitive regions prove resilient to the forced upgrade push, carving out larger than expected enclaves of extended or alternative OS support?
- How will Microsoft balance the twin imperatives of innovation (driven by AI and Copilot+ hardware) and sustainability, both social and environmental?
- Are Copilot+ PCs truly transformative, or just a marketing term for incremental performance gains and incremental AI software?
Conclusion
After a lengthy market share battle, Windows 11 has claimed the top spot ahead of a watershed support deadline, signaling both the closing chapter for Windows 10 and the accelerating shift toward a new AI-powered computing paradigm. Microsoft’s successes and missteps along this path offer critical lessons about innovation, user trust, ecosystem stability, and the ever-present challenge of balancing progress with responsibility.For users, the choice is now stark and urgent. Staying put on Windows 10 invites escalating risk; upgrading means confronting both technical and environmental realities. For Microsoft, the real test will be sustaining this momentum while addressing the legitimate concerns of its enormous user base, both present and future.
With Copilot+ PCs, stricter security policies, and an unapologetic focus on the future, Microsoft is charting an ambitious new course—one that, in the coming months, will shape not just its products, but the very nature of the personal computing landscape itself.
Source: GB News Have YOU ditched Windows 10 yet? Windows 11 scores important victory just 99 days before crucial deadline
