Microsoft has been nudging desktop users toward Windows 11, and the latest version has finally overtaken Windows 10 to become the most used operating system globally, according to Statcounter data spotted by Windows Central.
While the July numbers have yet to be updated, Statcounter’s graph shows that 52% of global Windows users are now on Windows 11; 44.59% are on its predecessor.
Windows 11 launched in October 2021, and it took two years to get to 400 million devices, while Windows 10 achieved the same in just over a year. That slow adoption can be attributed to strict hardware requirements; PCs need a TPM 2.0, a small security-related chip embedded on your computer’s motherboard. There is a workaround, but Microsoft does not recommend it.
As of December, Windows 11 (35%) lagged far behind Windows 10 (62%) in market share. Microsoft has made multiple efforts to nudge users toward Windows 11, with some Windows 10 users even spotting full-screen ads for upgrades.
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The quick turnaround in the last few months, however, could be attributed to Microsoft’s decision to end support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14, 2025. Those on the older OS can extend support if they redeem 1,000 Microsoft reward points, enable Windows Backup and sync your Documents folder to OneDrive, or pay $30.
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