Microsoft has positioned Windows 11 as part of a broader push to modernise its computing platform and embed AI across its product
As Windows 10 nears its end-of-support deadline, Windows 11 has emerged as the leading desktop operating system globally, though its adoption has lagged its predecessor, with enterprises delaying upgrades amid hardware constraints, cost scrutiny, and limited incentives beyond security.
In June 2025, Microsoft announced that support for Windows 10 would end in October 2025, closing a nearly decade-long run for the operating system (OS).
After the deadline, Windows 10 PCs will no longer receive security updates, feature upgrades, or technical support. Microsoft explained in a blog post that while the devices continue to function, the lack of regular security patches will increase exposure to cyber threats. For enterprises, running unsupported software could also raise compliance and regulatory risks. Application support is expected to taper off over time as developers shift focus to newer platforms.
To ease the transition, Microsoft said Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 will continue to receive security updates until October 2028 and feature updates until August 2026, though without technical support.
Microsoft has positioned Windows 11 as part of a broader push to modernise its computing platform and embed AI across its products, citing improved security, manageability, and productivity as key drivers of the shift.
Desktop market
StatCounter data shows that by mid-2025, Windows 10 occupied 53 per cent of the global desktop market share compared with Windows 11's 43.22 per cent until June. By December 2025, the balance had shifted, with Windows 11 taking the lead at 50.68 per cent and Windows 10 declining to 44.64 per cent in response to the approaching end of official support for Windows 10.
However, analysts noted that Windows 11 has demonstrated a slower adoption curve than Windows 10 at comparable stages in their life cycles. Kishor Fogla, Founder, Yellow Slice, highlighted that Windows 10 reached approximately 50 per cent global market share within the first three years of its launch, aided by its free upgrade and low hardware requirement strategies. Windows 11, on the other hand, has been unable to similarly accumulate adoption four years post-launch, only entering the mid 30 per cent adoption rate.
"This gap is due to stricter hardware requirements, such as TPM 2.0, fewer upgrade options for older PCs, and a refined UI design. Many users were content with the previous Windows 10 design and therefore had no incentive to upgrade. The changes from a UX standpoint were minor and therefore demonstrated no urgency for an upgrade," he explained.
Global supply chain
Nitin Lahoti, Founder & Director at Mobisoft Infotech, added that Windows 11 was launched during global supply chain pressure, due to which many organisations chose to wait. Slower uptake is driven more by enterprise delay than by consumer adoption since the latter usually upgrade when they buy new devices.
"Many new laptops already ship with Windows 11. Enterprises behave differently. They test longer and move more slowly. IT teams look at compatibility, security tooling, and training impact. Windows 10 still works well for most workloads. There is no urgent business pain, which reduces motivation. Consumers follow availability, and enterprises follow risk assessment. In this case, enterprise caution has had a bigger impact on overall adoption numbers," he said.
Enterprises dilute the market for active Windows devices as they tend to upgrade less frequently. Despite Windows 11's market share being over 50 per cent, a considerable portion of enterprise devices still run Windows 10. Enterprises care more about system stability, uninterrupted workflows, and retraining than visuals, which is a big reason they have not implemented organisational-wide upgrades.
Security updates
Lahoti shared that lifecycle extension plays a bigger role. Many enterprises made large Windows 10 investments during the pandemic, due to which devices are still usable, performance is stable and security updates continue. At the same time, PC refresh cycles have lengthened from around four years to five or six, as tighter budgets prompt CIOs to extract more value from existing hardware. As device upgrades slow, OS migrations tend to slow in tandem.
Windows 11 is being seen as a forced upgrade because there is a deadline approaching to support Windows 10. According to Fogla, this increased adoption rate is a direct result of the perceived urgency to upgrade. Using Windows 10 and Windows 11 are the only two options available. Windows 10 will be unsupported in a few years, creating a compliance-driven Windows 11 landscape.
The analysts added that although Windows 11 offers stronger baseline security and a more modern architecture -- important for regulated industries -- the day-to-day user experience remains largely unchanged. As a result, many organisations are deferring upgrades until clearer business value emerges through hardware refreshes, AI-driven features, or deeper ecosystem integration.
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Published on January 1, 2026
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