Windows 11 Finally Overtakes Windows 10 in User Share as EOL Deadline Looms

A pivotal moment has arrived in the operating system market. For the first time, the latest version of Windows has surpassed its predecessor in user share—a milestone that signals a broader shift across the entire IT industry.

According to fresh data from StatCounter for July, Windows 11 is now installed on 50.24% of all devices, while Windows 10 lags slightly behind at 46.84%. Just a year ago, the landscape was markedly different: the older version held two-thirds of the market, and the new one had yet to reach even 30%.

This surge is largely attributed to the looming end of official support for Windows 10. Microsoft has confirmed that it will cease servicing most editions of the system on October 14, 2025. For many organizations and individual users, this has become a compelling reason to expedite migration plans.

Businesses began preparing well in advance. As Microsoft partners have noted, major players have spent the past year methodically transitioning their infrastructures to the new platform. Experts estimate that around 80% of corporate hardware is already running the current version.

The remaining 20% consists of particularly problematic machines—outdated systems or specialized hardware where upgrading requires significant time or investment. For such cases, Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) to help mitigate risk.

Some users are opting instead for Microsoft 365’s cloud-based solutions. These enable flexible work environments untethered from physical devices and include built-in access to security updates without additional costs—an appealing option for budget-conscious businesses.

Analysts at Canalys had predicted that the mass wave of upgrades would align with the beginning of the financial year—and their forecast has proven accurate. July, traditionally a favorable time for tech rollouts, has delivered a surge, and October is expected to mark another peak, likely accelerating the shift to the modern platform.

Notably, the rise in Windows 11’s market share is driven almost entirely by the corporate sector. Private users remain hesitant to upgrade, citing both caution and a lack of compelling reasons to invest in new hardware.

Sales of next-generation PCs—especially those featuring AI capabilities—continue to underperform. Despite aggressive marketing efforts by manufacturers, demand for AI-enabled machines has fallen short of expectations. Consumers remain unwilling to pay a premium for integrated neural features that have yet to demonstrate tangible value.

Curiously, the surge in Windows 11 adoption has arrived on the eve of the next major chapter. As enterprises wrap up preparations for the end of Windows 10, the industry is already abuzz with speculation about Windows 12. Though no official announcement has been made, rumors about the new system are already influencing infrastructure upgrade strategies.

For businesses, this moment offers a chance to complete the transition, resolve compatibility concerns, and calmly lay the groundwork for the next generation. Meanwhile, the consumer market continues to wait, watching developments unfold and holding off on purchases. PC makers remain hopeful that large-scale enterprise orders will revive momentum—but widespread consumer enthusiasm for next-generation devices has yet to materialize.