Windows 11 Reaches 35.58% Market Share, But Windows 10 Remains Leader

Windows 11 continues to slowly gain popularity, reaching 35.58% market share in October 2024, representing a nearly 3% increase month-on-month. Despite the growth, Windows 10 still dominates, holding about 61% market share among Windows operating systems.

Experts attribute the increase in popularity of Windows 11 to Microsoft's proactive efforts to encourage updates, support for optimizations for new hardware, and enhanced security features tailored to modern requirements. Companies are increasingly switching to Windows 11 due to improved security features such as secure boot, virtualization security, and improved credential protection, which is especially important for organizations that prioritize security.

For home users and gamers, Windows 11 is also attractive due to performance improvements like DirectStorage and a refreshed interface. However, Windows 10 remains the most popular version due to its stability, compatibility with a wider range of hardware, and support that will last until 2025. Many users and businesses are hesitant to upgrade, citing compatibility and stability issues.

Microsoft recently announced Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, priced at $30 per year, which will allow you to receive important security updates even after official support ends in October 2025. For the first time, ESU will be available not only to corporate customers, but also to consumers, helping to protect older devices from new threats.

With more features, including AI and task automation, Windows 11 may attract more users. However, convincing many Windows 10 users to upgrade remains a challenge, especially given the hardware requirements that not all devices can meet.