Microsoft's end of support for Windows 10 started on 2025-10-14, yet the operating system still runs on 41.71% of devices. This transition is taking longer than anticipated, impacting the intended shift towards Windows 11.
Migration Patterns and Data
Statcounter reported that Windows 11 usage increased to 55.18% in October 2025, but Windows 10 still holds a notable share. Microsoft's hardware compatibility requirements for Windows 11 contribute to a gradual transition. Statcounter's data is based on tracking 1.5 million websites, giving a reliable indicator of these trends.
In comparison, Windows 7 fell below 25% market share at its end of support in 2015, when Windows 10 gained market dominance. Microsoft's push for migration is slower with the current hardware and economic factors playing a role.
Business Impact and Strategies
With the end of free support, businesses must enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU) to continue receiving fixes. This scenario indicates a slow migration unless driven by compelling features. Microsoft aims to incorporate AI services in future Windows updates, but it hasn't confirmed if it will enforce the same hardware requirements as for Windows 11.
This gradual shift reflects broader trends in IT resource allocation amid economic and operational considerations.
