Is Windows 11 losing its edge while Windows 10 continues widely adopted
The decline of Windows 11’s market share in late 2024 has led to a great deal of discussion about the reasons behind this trend. By December 2024, Windows 11’s market share had fallen to 34.12%, down from its peak of 35.58% in October. Meanwhile, Windows 10’s market share increased to 62.7%, indicating a reversal of fortunes for Microsoft’s latest operating system.
Several key factors are driving this shift, and understanding these can offer valuable insights into the state of the desktop OS market.
1. Compatibility Issues: A Barrier to Adoption
One of the most significant hurdles for Windows 11 is its stringent hardware requirements. To install Windows 11, users need TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and specific CPU models, which many older systems lack.
This has led to a substantial portion of the user base being unable to upgrade without purchasing new hardware. According to estimates, nearly 400 million users of Windows 10 find their existing devices incompatible with Windows 11.
In addition, users are also not very willing to spend money on new devices or hardware upgrades for just an operating system change. The costs are much higher than the benefits, especially when Windows 10 continues to run without problems.
2. Familiarity and Preference of Users
Yet another significant factor that may lead to the downfall of Windows 11 is the strong affinity existing users have for Windows 10. After years, Windows 10 has gained millions of users because it is stable and familiar. Most are content with its interface and functionalities and do not have a strong reason to change it, especially when their current systems are working just fine.
According to reports, some users who upgraded to Windows 11 have returned to Windows 10 due to dissatisfaction with the new operating system. Complaints over the new interface, design, and usability features have made most users stick to what they know best. Therefore, many have opted to wait until necessary before considering the upgrade to Windows 11.
3. Enterprise and Institutional Hesitance
Another important reason for the decline in its market share is businesses and public institutions’ slow adoption of Windows 11. Organizations often opt for stability and compatibility rather than embracing the latest features.
IT departments often downgrade devices from Windows 11 back to Windows 10 to ensure they are compatible with their existing software, networks, and workflows. This trend is especially noticeable in large businesses and government departments, where upgrading to a new operating system might be expensive in terms of money and time.
Most institutions are also awaiting extended support options or better-tested updates from Microsoft before committing themselves to an upgrade. Windows 10 is now a familiar and trusted operating system. Therefore, people will prefer this environment even with the looming end-of-life deadline.
4. Gaming Community Trends
Windows 11 has received mixed reviews in the gaming community, although many new PCs come pre-installed with the operating system. While Windows 11 does provide some performance improvements for some games, most gamers still prefer Windows 10 due to its stability and familiarity. In some instances, the new OS has been said to cause problems with game performance or compatibility with older hardware, further deterring the gaming community from making the switch.
Though Windows 11 has improved gaming, adoption in this category has been less than expected. Gaming is still one of the biggest drivers for operating systems; therefore, gamer hesitation to shift to Windows 11 has affected the overall market share of the operating system.
5. Market Dynamics and Support Options
The market dynamics play an important role in shaping the adoption pattern of Windows 11. New PCs are sold with Windows 10 preinstalled. It is easy for consumers to stay on the older system as they are purchasing a new device. And with a plan for extended security updates for Windows 10 users, many have hesitated.
Moreover, the extended support of Windows 10 from Microsoft, where critical security updates are available at a cost, has been an interim solution for those who do not want to upgrade to Windows 11. This extended support ensures that the users continue getting important updates without shifting to a new operating system in advance.
Conclusion
The fall in the market share of Windows 11 is the result of various interlinked factors. Compatibility issues and user reluctance to the enterprise environment have hindered the growth of Windows 11.
Yet, despite all these challenges, Windows 11 still has the potential for future adoption, especially as Microsoft ends support for Windows 10 in 2025. However, the full transition to Windows 11 may take time, and how the OS will perform in the long run remains to be seen.
With these factors in play, the market share of Windows 11 is expected to remain under pressure as users continue weighing the pros and cons of upgrading. How Microsoft addresses these concerns in the coming months will likely determine whether the decline can be reversed.
