Microsoft’s Windows 11 has recently taken a significant step forward in the gaming community, as evidenced by the latest Steam Hardware & Software Survey results for August 2024. Despite ongoing debates among tech enthusiasts regarding the superiority of Windows 10, the survey reveals that Windows 11 has now emerged as the most utilized operating system on the Steam platform. Currently, 50.81% of surveyed Steam users are running Windows 11, while Windows 10 has seen a slight decline to 48.66%. This marks a notable shift from earlier this year when Windows 10 held a commanding lead with 51.42% compared to Windows 11’s 44.24% share.
Windows 11: Closing the Gap
While the gaming user base appears to favor Windows 11, broader market trends tell a different story. According to Statcounter, Windows 11 currently holds a mere 31.62% of the overall desktop operating system market, with Windows 10 still dominating at 64.17%. This gap, although significant, is beginning to close. Earlier this year, Windows 10 experienced a resurgence, climbing from 66.47% to 69.89% between January and April 2024. However, that trend has since reversed, indicating a potential shift in user preferences.
Windows 10: A Long, Slow Goodbye
The slow adoption of Windows 11 can be attributed to several factors, including its stringent system requirements. Additionally, with Windows 10’s end-of-support date set for October 12, 2025, many users are hesitant to make the switch. For those who are comfortable with Windows 10, the pressure to upgrade is mitigated by the fact that they still have over a year before they must transition. Furthermore, many enterprise users are likely to stick with Windows 10 even after the support deadline, thanks to Microsoft’s extended support program, which, while costly, offers a safety net for businesses.
Getting Ahead of the Curve
As Windows 10’s decline appears inevitable, it may be prudent for users to consider an upgrade to Windows 11 sooner rather than later. This shift could help avoid the disruptive prompts and advertisements urging users to transition. For those who might be concerned about meeting the minimum requirements for Windows 11, particularly laptop users, there are compelling reasons to upgrade hardware. Recent advancements in performance and battery life from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, along with enhanced graphics capabilities from Nvidia and AMD, present a strong case for making the leap.
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