Windows 11 has just gained the most market share it has ever since its release

The adoption of Windows 11 is accelerating as users prepare for the end of mainstream support for Windows 10, scheduled for October 2025. According to recent data from Statcounter, Windows 11 experienced its most significant market share increase in three years during March 2025, climbing to 42.66%. Meanwhile, Windows 10 saw a substantial decline, dropping to 54.23%.

This shift reflects a growing wave of migration as users transition to Microsoft’s latest operating system. Windows 11’s year-over-year growth reached 15.98 percentage points, while Windows 10’s market share fell by 14.84 points over the same period.

Despite the momentum, convincing users to upgrade remains challenging, particularly those with hardware that does not meet Windows 11’s stringent requirements, such as TPM 2.0.

Microsoft has introduced an Extended Security Update program for Windows 10 users, offering an additional year of security updates for $30. However, this option is expected to appeal primarily to businesses, as individual users will likely opt for the free upgrade to Windows 11.

While Windows 11 continues to gain ground, older versions of Windows, such as Windows 7 and Windows XP, maintain small but steady market shares. Windows 7 currently holds 2.22%, while Windows XP accounts for 0.33%.

As the October deadline approaches, Microsoft must ensure a smooth transition for users while addressing concerns about hardware compatibility and design changes in Windows 11.