Windows 10 continues to hold a significant share among consumers, according to StatCounter. The analytics firm shows that Windows 10 still commands more than 40 percent of the market when comparing all Windows versions.
Part of that endurance stems from Windows 11’s higher hardware requirements, which prevent a sizable portion of users from upgrading. But Jeffrey Clarke points out that many people simply do not want to move to the newer OS.
About half of Windows 10 PCs can be upgraded
Dell’s research finds that roughly 500 million PCs running Windows 10 are capable of upgrading to Windows 11. Another roughly 500 million machines cannot be upgraded, even though some are as little as four years old.
Clarke’s observation applies to the entire PC market, not just Dell systems.
Dell sees potential new-PC buyers, but growth will be slow
For the non-upgradeable segment, Dell spots potential customers who could get Windows 11 simply by buying new hardware. That transition, however, is likely to be gradual.
Industry forecasts do not predict a near-term rebound in PC shipments. Instead, the market is expected to remain flat in the coming quarters, slowing the pace at which users move to Windows 11.
Why are many users staying on Windows 10?
Putting aside potential security concerns, there isn’t much forcing satisfied Windows 10 users to upgrade. The OS continues to run smoothly for many people.
The real pressure to move will come if major apps and games stop supporting Windows 10. If banks, game launchers, or other popular software stop working, users are likely to migrate either to Windows 11 or to competing platforms.
What should Windows 10 users do now?
If you remain on Windows 10 by choice or because your hardware can’t be upgraded, you should at least get the free extended software support Microsoft offers. We have published instructions on how to enable that extension.
