Windows 11 finally overtakes Windows 10 as it is now on more PCs and desktops

Windows 11

It took nearly four years, but Windows 11 has finally claimed the top spot on the desktop OS leaderboard. According to new data from StatCounter (via Windows Central), Windows 11 now powers 52% of desktop machines, surpassing Windows 10, which stands at 44.59%. It’s a significant milestone for Microsoft, especially with Windows 10’s end-of-support date looming on October 14, 2025.

Despite becoming the dominant OS for PC gamers back in September, Windows 11’s overall adoption has been sluggish. Internal Microsoft documents leaked in late 2023 revealed that it took two years for Windows 11 to hit 400 million active devices — double the time Windows 10 took to reach the same milestone.

Much of the hesitation comes down to compatibility. Unlike Windows 10, which was a free and easy upgrade for most, Windows 11 enforces strict hardware requirements — particularly around CPUs and security features like TPM 2.0. Millions of older PCs have been left behind, and Microsoft has been nudging users to upgrade hardware, sometimes through aggressive full-screen prompts.

Now, with Windows 10 approaching retirement, Microsoft is offering users a new carrot-stick combo. Consumers willing to enable Windows Backup and sync their Documents folder to OneDrive will receive one year of free security updates post-EOL. Others will need to pay $30 annually or cough up 1,000 Microsoft Reward points for the same privilege.

The transition marks a turning point not just for Windows 11’s market share but for Microsoft’s broader push toward cloud-tied, security-forward computing.