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Microsoft’s Windows 11 has officially overtaken Windows 10 as the leading desktop operating system, achieving a significant milestone nearly four years after its launch.
Recent data from web analytics company StatCounter, as reported by Windows Central, reveals that Windows 11 now commands 52 percent of the global desktop OS market, surpassing Windows 10, which has fallen to 44.59 percent.
This change comes just months before the planned end of support for Windows 10 on October 14.
The transition has been gradual. Released in October 2021, Windows 11 initially gained traction among gamers—becoming the dominant gaming OS as early as September 2023—but struggled with wider adoption.
Leaked internal data from Microsoft late in 2023 indicated that Windows 11 was installed on over 400 million devices. In contrast, Windows 10 reached that milestone in under a year; Windows 11 took two years.
One key factor in this slower adoption rate has been Windows 11’s demanding hardware requirements.
Although Microsoft provided free upgrades for existing Windows 10 users, many older PCs were ineligible due to compatibility issues related to outdated CPUs and necessary security features like TPM 2.0.
To encourage those with older devices to upgrade, Microsoft has implemented full-screen upgrade reminders.
To facilitate the transition from Windows 10, Microsoft announced that users who activate Windows Backup and sync their Documents folder with OneDrive will receive a year of complimentary extended security updates.
For those who prefer not to engage in cloud services, they can continue to receive support for a $30 fee or by using 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
As the support deadline looms, Microsoft’s efforts to promote Windows 11 appear to be yielding results, although concerns remain regarding the long-term effects of its strict upgrade criteria.
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