Windows 11 surpasses Windows 10 to become the most popular desktop OS after 4 years

After four years on the market, Windows 11 has officially surpassed Windows 10 to become the most widely used desktop operating system. According to Stat Counter data, Windows 11 now holds 50.88% of the Windows OS market share, with Windows 10 trailing at 46.2%. Despite a slow start, Windows 11’s adoption rate has surged in 2025, aided by Microsoft’s push to end support for Windows 10, which is scheduled for October 14, 2025. The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has been gradual, with the OS gaining traction in recent months as more users upgrade due to the approaching end of support. Additionally, over 700 million devices are now running Windows 11 globally. While Windows 11 faced initial criticism over its higher system requirements and mandatory Microsoft Account setup, the platform has seen significant improvements in performance and user adoption. Despite these challenges, Windows 11’s progress has been steady, making it the top choice for both home and business users alike. Moving forward, Microsoft will continue pushing for the transition to Windows 11, with a free year of security updates for Windows 10 users who sign in with a Microsoft Account. However, some users may be reluctant to upgrade due to pre-installed ads and bloatware, which also persisted in Windows 10.