- Windows 10 still powers more than two out of five active desktops worldwide
- Companies are delaying upgrades through paid security extensions for critical systems
- Consumers keep older PCs active for light tasks and backups
Despite the end of free support for many Windows 10 versions, usage data still shows a slow transition towards Windows 11.
Statcounter figures for November 2025 put Windows 11 at 53.7% of active Windows desktops, while Windows 10 still has 42.7%.
The data reflects both consumer and business entities and only samples a limited number of sites, which already limits how confidently adoption trends can be interpreted.
Upgrades to Windows 11 seem to be very slow
Even with this limitation, the persistence of Windows 10 seems hard to deny, and the gap between both systems is narrowing far more slowly than many hardware vendors expected.
Enterprise environments continue to show a more cautious approach to changing operating systems at scale.
Many businesses still running Windows 10 now rely on extended security updates as a structured delay mechanism rather than a permanent refuge.
Analysts describe this approach as strategic, covering critical systems tied to legacy applications and specialized equipment without current Windows 11 driver support.
In many organizations, funds for large-scale computer replacement remain unallocated across large portions of active device fleets.
The costs of migration extend beyond licenses and hardware and include compatibility testing, implementation planning, retraining and interrupted workflows associated with office software transitions.
A major hindrance to Windows 11 is the absence of features that force an immediate shift in business purchasing behavior.
Outside of the end of free support, there hasn’t been a clear incentive to interrupt normal device replacement timelines.
Hardware vendors report upgrade activity well after previous operating system transitions.
Dell executives publicly confirmed that Windows 11 adoption follows previous upgrade cycles by double-digit margins at similar times after previous support deadlines.
In an uncertain economic climate, companies seem reluctant to absorb large unplanned update programs that are closely tied to operating system deadlines.
Consumer usage data further complicates overall usage metrics.
Many buyers of Windows 11 devices continue to use old Windows 10 machines as secondary computers for limited tasks.
These lingering systems continue to generate traffic providing public usage statistics.
In parts of Europe, consumers also continue to receive security updates without direct payment, further reducing the need to replace working hardware.
Familiar workflows and attachment to existing productivity tools compound this lag across non-enterprise users.
The available data suggests that Windows 11 growth reflects net additions rather than true replacements.
On paper, Windows 10 appears to be falling slowly, as the data shows a limited operational advantage in Windows 11.
Via The register
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