Windows 11 has seen a significant increase in its global market share, rising from 62.41% to 72.57% in February 2026, according to Statcounter data. This growth comes despite challenges related to problematic updates from Microsoft in late 2025 and January 2026.
Market Share Dynamics
Statcounter's figures reveal a notable shift in the operating system landscape. Windows 10 experienced a decline, with its market share dropping from 35.77% to 26.45%, a decrease of 9.32 percentage points. Meanwhile, Windows 7 remains a minor player, holding just 0.62% of the market.
Impact of Microsoft Updates
The rise in Windows 11's market share is particularly noteworthy given the issues with Microsoft updates in late 2025 and early 2026. Despite these challenges, users have continued to adopt Windows 11, suggesting a strong preference for the latest operating system features and improvements.
The data highlights the ongoing transition from older versions like Windows 10 to the more modern Windows 11, reflecting user confidence in Microsoft's latest offering.