Windows 11 Market Share Surges as Windows 10 Updates Get Costlier

Windows 11 is steadily increasing its market share, now accounting for 71.5% of all Windows computers globally, while Windows 10 has dropped to 27.8%, according to Statcounter. The shift comes as mainstream support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025, pushing users toward the newer operating system. Just before this deadline, about half of PCs still ran Windows 10, as reported by executives from Dell and HP.

Users can still receive security updates through Microsoft’s Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Consumers can enroll for free, with the program extended until October 12, 2027. However, businesses must pay for the service, with costs doubling each year. The first year costs $61 per device, rising to $122 in the second year, and reaching $244 in the final year. These escalating prices are expected to further drive the transition to Windows 11.

Statcounter’s estimates are based on tracking code installed on websites globally, though Microsoft does not publish official user figures. The data does not differentiate between consumer and business use, highlighting the broader trend toward Windows 11 adoption.