Windows 11 Hits Major Milestone: 30% Adoption Rate

Promoting Windows 11 is destined to be a challenging endeavor for Microsoft. Even without hardware restrictions, many users might prefer the more reliable Windows 10 system. Moreover, Windows 11’s requirement for newer CPUs and at least a TPM 2.0 security module exacerbates the difficulty.

Windows 11 was initially released in October 2021, and it is now approaching its third anniversary. According to statistics from Statcounter, Windows 11’s market share has recently surpassed 30%, although it remains significantly lower than that of Windows 10.

Despite the gradual decline in Windows 10’s market share, it still commands a substantial 65% of the market. It is important to note that Windows 10 will cease to receive support and security updates in October next year. It is unrealistic for Microsoft to persuade most users to upgrade to Windows 11 or purchase new PCs to run the new system within just one year. Consequently, a significant number of PCs worldwide will be unable to receive security updates, potentially leading to a severe security disaster.

Next year’s end of support will affect the consumer version of Windows 10, while long-term support versions like Windows 10 LTSB/LTSC will remain available. However, the majority of users are on the Home or Pro editions.

In response to security concerns, Microsoft plans to introduce the Windows 10 ESU (Extended Security Updates) paid support program for home consumers next year. Yet, such solutions do not truly address the issue, as most ordinary users are not well-versed in PC or system management. They typically do not prioritize whether their systems receive updates as long as their devices remain functional.

Will Microsoft potentially relax the upgrade restrictions for older CPUs to Windows 11 next year? That remains uncertain. If Microsoft persists with its stringent hardware requirements, the market share for Windows 11 will likely increase only as old PCs gradually phase out and new PCs preloaded with Windows 11 enter the market in the coming years.