Windows 11 Surpasses Windows 10 as the Dominant OS
2025-07-06 07:48:01Windows 11 has officially become the most widely used version of Microsoft's operating system, surpassing its predecessor, Windows 10. This shift in dominance comes as Microsoft prepares to end support for Windows 10, pushing more users towards its latest OS iteration.
October 5th will mark the fourth anniversary of Windows 11's release. While its adoption rate was initially slow, the impending end-of-life for Windows 10 has accelerated its growth. The transition has been particularly noticeable in recent months, with new hardware consistently shipping with Windows 11 pre-installed.
Recent statistics from GlobalStats reveal that as of July 2025, Windows 11 holds 51.36% of the Windows version market share, while Windows 10 has dropped to 45.57%. This marks a significant milestone, as Windows 10 had maintained its dominance since early 2018 when it overtook Windows 7.
Windows Version Market Share (July 2025)
OS Version | Market Share |
---|---|
Windows 11 | 51.36% |
Windows 10 | 45.57% |
Windows 8.1 | 0.28% |
Windows 8 | 0.31% |
Windows 7 | 2.15% |
Windows XP | 0.33% |
The transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10 was significantly smoother, partly because Microsoft offered free upgrades and the system requirements were less restrictive. Windows 11, however, introduced stringent hardware requirements including TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module), which created barriers for many users looking to upgrade their existing systems.
Microsoft has announced that official support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. However, the company has introduced a one-year extended support program, allowing users to continue receiving critical security updates until October 2026. This extension requires either a one-time payment of $30 or redemption of 1,000 Microsoft Reward points.
While Windows 11 has faced criticism for gaming-related issues and occasional performance problems, many of these concerns have been addressed through updates. Nevertheless, some users remain hesitant to switch due to early negative experiences with the OS.