Microsoft’s decade-old Windows 10 operating system is losing ground to Windows 11, the software set to replace it. Despite this, the older version still leads in market share, with Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.
Originally launched in 2015, Windows 10 was meant to be the last version of Windows, evolving indefinitely under the same name. This changed in 2021 with the release of Windows 11, though many users have resisted upgrading despite the free offer, sometimes because their machines don’t meet the minimum system requirements.
Statscounter’s March 2025 figures indicate a steady decline in Windows 10 usage, with a corresponding rise in Windows 11 adoption. Windows 10 held 54.2 percent of the market share in March, down from 58.7 percent in February, while Windows 11 climbed to 42.7 percent, up from 38.1 percent the previous month.
A year prior, in March 2024, Windows 10 had a significant lead with 69 percent compared to Windows 11’s 26.7 percent.
After October 2025, Windows 10 users will no longer receive official security updates, potentially exposing them to risks like bugs and cyberattacks. Microsoft has proposed a yearly $30 subscription to continue updates, possibly aimed at businesses or as an incentive to switch to the free Windows 11.
Microsoft has intensified its campaign for Windows 11, even suggesting users sell or trade in their existing computers to fund the purchase of a new Windows 11-compatible machine. This may contribute to the shift reflected in the updated usage statistics.
