Windows 11 Surpasses Windows 10 Among PC Gamers
In a notable shift within the gaming community, Windows 11 has officially surpassed Windows 10 in market share among PC gamers, as revealed by the latest Steam Hardware Survey. This monthly assessment provides valuable insights into the configurations of gaming PCs utilized on Valve’s platform. Currently, Windows 11 boasts a market share of 49.17%, while Windows 10 has seen a decline, dropping 3.07% to settle at 47.09%. This marks a significant milestone, with Windows 11 now attracting over 2% more gamers than its predecessor.
Other versions of Windows remain largely insignificant in this landscape, with Windows 7 holding a mere 0.37% adoption rate. Meanwhile, Linux and macOS account for 1.92% and 1.3% of the gaming market share, respectively. Notably, Windows 11’s presence on Steam has shown a steady increase over the past few months, rising from 46.63% in June to 47.45% in July, culminating in this substantial growth spurt for August.
Analysis: Sudden Surge
The rapid ascent of Windows 11 has caught many by surprise. While the exact reasons for this surge remain unclear, it may be attributed to an increasing urgency among users to transition from Windows 10, especially with the looming End of Life deadline for the older operating system set for October 2025.
When focusing solely on Windows versions within the Steam ecosystem, Windows 11 now commands just over 50% of that market. However, this momentum is not mirrored across the broader user base. According to Statcounter, Windows 11 accounts for only 31.6% of overall users in August, while Windows 10 continues to dominate with a substantial 64.1%, maintaining a headcount that is more than double that of Windows 11.
As Microsoft looks ahead, the company is undoubtedly hoping for a significant shift in this landscape over the coming year. The integration of AI, particularly through initiatives like Copilot+ PCs, is anticipated to play a crucial role in driving unit sales and altering the overall adoption rates of Windows 11.
