Windows 10 share increases while Windows 11 share decreases

https://www.pcmag.com/news/yikes-windows-10-sees-uptick-as-windows-11-share-decreases

Millions of people have resisted upgrading to Windows 11 for one reason or another, opting to stick with Windows 10 instead. Despite being around for almost a decade, the older operating system has more users now than last month.

In April 2024, Windows 10 reached 70% market share for the first time since September 2023, according to Neowin. Windows 11 was at 25.65% last month, which is up from around 23% in September, but represents a slow slide since February when it sat at 28.16%, per StatCounter.

It's a worrying trend for Microsoft, especially since support for Windows 10 ends in October 2025. The tech giant will only continue to support the OS after 2025 if you pay.

Compatibility issues may be holding some people back from upgrading. There are workarounds, but Microsoft can't guarantee they won't mess up your PC. Microsoft has made some strides, there including removing a compatibility hold that kept some PCs from upgrading for years.

As we note in our review, meanwhile, the OS's "radically modernized, more consistent design...belies what is really more of an evolutionary update." Plus, some newer features like Copilot AI are coming to Windows 10, too.

Recommended by Our Editors

At least the number of people on Microsoft's truly ancient OSes saw a decline. Windows 7 went from 3.33% in September to 3% last month, while Windows 8.1 dropped 0.61% to 0.53% in the same time period. About 0.33% of PC users are still hanging on to an old favorite: Windows XP.

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About Joe Hindy

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Joe Hindy

Hello, my name is Joe and I am a tech blogger. My first real experience with tech came at the tender age of 6 when I started playing Final Fantasy IV (II on the SNES) on the family's living room console. As a teenager, I cobbled together my first PC build using old parts from several ancient PCs, and really started getting into things in my 20s. I served in the US Army as a broadcast journalist. Afterward, I served as a news writer for XDA-Developers before I spent 11 years as an Editor, and eventually Senior Editor, of Android Authority. I specialize in gaming, mobile tech, and PC hardware, but I enjoy pretty much anything that has electricity running through it.

Read Joe's full bio

Read the latest from Joe Hindy

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{
"url": "https://www.pcmag.com/news/yikes-windows-10-sees-uptick-as-windows-11-share-decreases",
"title": "Yikes: Windows 10 Sees Uptick as Windows 11 Share Decreases",
"description": "Millions of people have resisted upgrading to Windows 11 for one reason or another, opting to stick with Windows 10 instead. Despite being around for almost a decade, the older operating system has more users...",
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"content": "<div>\n<article>\n<p>Millions of people have resisted upgrading to Windows 11 for one reason or another, opting to stick with Windows 10 instead. Despite being around for almost a decade, the older operating system has more users now than last month. </p><p>In April 2024, Windows 10 reached 70% market share for the first time since September 2023, <a href=\"https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-10-reaches-70-market-share-as-windows-11-keeps-declining/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"(Opens in a new tab)\">according to Neowin</a>. Windows 11 was at 25.65% last month, which is up from around 23% in September, but represents a slow slide since February when it sat at 28.16%, <a href=\"https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/windows/desktop/worldwide\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"(Opens in a new tab)\">per StatCounter</a>.</p><p>It's a worrying trend for Microsoft, especially since support for Windows 10 ends in October 2025. The tech giant will only <a href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-extends-security-updates-for-windows-10-beyond-2025-for-a-price\" target=\"_blank\">continue to support the OS after 2025</a> if you pay.</p><p><a href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/what-is-a-tpm-and-why-do-i-need-one-for-windows-11\" target=\"_blank\">Compatibility issues</a> may be holding some people back from upgrading. There are workarounds, but Microsoft can't guarantee they won't mess up your PC. Microsoft has made some strides, there including <a href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/news/more-pcs-can-upgrade-to-windows-11-after-microsoft-drops-compatibility\" target=\"_blank\">removing a compatibility hold</a> that kept some PCs from upgrading for years.</p><p>As <a href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-windows-11\" target=\"_blank\">we note in our review</a>, meanwhile, the OS's \"radically modernized, more consistent design...belies what is really more of an evolutionary update.\" Plus, some newer features like <a href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/what-is-microsoft-copilot\" target=\"_blank\">Copilot AI</a> are coming to Windows 10, too. </p><div>\n<h3>Recommended by Our Editors</h3>\n</div>\n<p>At least the number of people on Microsoft's truly ancient OSes saw a decline. Windows 7 went from 3.33% in September to 3% last month, while Windows 8.1 dropped 0.61% to 0.53% in the same time period. About 0.33% of PC users are still hanging on to an old favorite: Windows XP.</p>\n<div>\n<h3>Get Our Best Stories!</h3>\n<p>Sign up for <strong>What's New Now</strong> to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.</p>\n<p>This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our <a href=\"http://www.ziffdavis.com/terms-of-use\" title=\"(Opens in a new tab)\" target=\"_blank\">Terms of Use</a> and <a href=\"https://www.ziffdavis.com/ztg-privacy-policy\" title=\"(Opens in a new tab)\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy</a>. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.</p>\n</div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<h3>About Joe Hindy</h3>\n<p>\n</p><h4>Contributor</h4>\n<p></p>\n</div>\n<div>\n<p><img src=\"https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/authors/079EUTS1QPV9bIgrvrCiYWW.fit_lim.size_200x200.v1693334262.jpg\" alt=\"Joe Hindy\" />\n</p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Hello, my name is Joe and I am a tech blogger. My first real experience with tech came at the tender age of 6 when I started playing Final Fantasy IV (II on the SNES) on the family's living room console. As a teenager, I cobbled together my first PC build using old parts from several ancient PCs, and really started getting into things in my 20s. I served in the US Army as a broadcast journalist. Afterward, I served as a news writer for XDA-Developers before I spent 11 years as an Editor, and eventually Senior Editor, of Android Authority. I specialize in gaming, mobile tech, and PC hardware, but I enjoy pretty much anything that has electricity running through it.</p>\n<p>\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/authors/joe-hindy\">\nRead Joe's full bio\n</a>\n</p>\n</div>\n<h4>Read the latest from Joe Hindy</h4>\n</div>\n</div>\n</article>\n</div>",
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