As 2025 begins, Microsoft faces a troubling trend: Windows 10’s market share continues to increase, while Windows 11 is experiencing a decline. Despite efforts to push users toward its newer operating system, more and more Windows 10 users are opting to stay on the older version, with only a $30 extended support option preventing a looming security gap.
This shift is especially concerning as Windows 10’s end-of-life approaches in October 2025, leaving over 850 million users vulnerable to security risks. Even with Windows 11’s previous growth in 2024, Windows 10’s market share has rebounded by approximately 3%, and Windows 11 has dropped back below 35%, signaling that many users are not making the switch.
Microsoft had hoped to drive users to Windows 11 with promises of improved security through newer hardware requirements, but the reality is far more complicated. 900 million PCs are still running Windows 10, with around 400 million of those unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. With 65% of all Windows users now at risk of missing out on critical updates, Microsoft may face a significant challenge as it nears its October deadline.
The recent shift also raises questions about Microsoft’s future strategy. While the company has pushed for a firm cutoff in 2025, there’s speculation that Microsoft may reverse course and continue to offer updates for Windows 10 as security concerns grow. As the deadline looms, the risk is clear: unless more users transition to Windows 11, a majority of Windows users could be operating on a quasi-obsolete system by late 2025, leaving them increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats.
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