Windows 11 Surpasses Windows 10 Market Share as Microsoft Pushes Users to Upgrade

Windows 11 has officially overtaken Windows 10 in market share, according to the latest figures from Statcounter, marking a significant milestone in Microsoft's operating system transition strategy. The data shows Windows 11 commanding 72.57 percent of the market, while Windows 10 has fallen to 26.45 percent.

This shift aligns with Microsoft's earlier claim that Windows 11 had surpassed one billion users, though the company hasn't released official telemetry data to verify these numbers independently. Statcounter's figures, while widely cited, should be taken with caution as they're derived from tracking code on over 1.5 million websites globally and are subject to revision as more data becomes available.

The market shift isn't surprising given Microsoft's strategic moves to end support for various Windows 10 versions. In October 2025, the company cut support for many Windows 10 editions, forcing users to either upgrade to Windows 11 or pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU). While ESU provides a safety net for organizations unable to migrate immediately, it comes at additional cost for commercial customers.

Esben Dochy, Principal Technical Evangelist at Lansweeper, an asset tracking and discovery company, explained the practical challenges organizations face: "I don't think any organization wants to pay for ESU licenses. Many organizations will migrate, but a non-trivial subset will rely on ESU as a safety net because their constraints are less about 'deciding to upgrade' and more about validating dependencies and coordinating operational downtime."

The transition extends beyond desktop operating systems to Microsoft's server offerings. Windows Server 2016, which is approaching end-of-life, still maintains a significant presence with 20.3 percent share of all servers monitored by Lansweeper. Dochy noted that migration barriers for servers are particularly challenging because "any downtime doesn't affect a single device but an entire service for the organization."

Windows 10 2016 LTSB (Long-Term Servicing Branch) represents a different migration challenge. While it accounts for only 0.5 percent of all Windows devices, it makes up 19.8 percent of devices within the LTSC/LTSB category. Dochy explained that this usage pattern isn't surprising since Microsoft positions LTSC/LTSB for special-purpose devices like kiosks, point-of-sale systems, and operational technology deployments.

"Because of this, many of these endpoints have stricter gates they must pass for upgrades to take place like vendor certification, peripheral/driver support, and change windows, not just IT preference," Dochy said.

The market share data reveals the effectiveness of Microsoft's strategy to push users toward Windows 11, but also highlights the persistent challenges in completely transitioning away from older systems. While Windows 11's market share surge represents a victory for Microsoft's desktop operating system team, the continued presence of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 demonstrates that legacy systems remain deeply embedded in many organizations' infrastructure.

This transition period creates both opportunities and challenges for businesses. Organizations that have successfully migrated to Windows 11 can benefit from the latest security features, performance improvements, and integration with modern hardware. However, those still running older systems face increasing pressure to upgrade while managing the operational risks and costs associated with such transitions.

The data also reflects broader trends in enterprise IT, where the pace of operating system upgrades is often dictated by factors beyond simple preference. Compatibility requirements, certification processes, and the need to maintain continuous operations all contribute to the gradual nature of these transitions, even when vendors like Microsoft actively encourage users to adopt newer versions.

As Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 continue their extended farewell, organizations must balance the security and feature benefits of newer operating systems against the operational complexities of migration. The market share data suggests that while the tide is turning toward Windows 11, the transition will likely continue well into the future as businesses navigate these competing priorities.