Windows 11 market share creeps upwards as cost of staying on Windows 10 set to double
How badly do you want that Win10 device to keep getting security updates?
As the first year of Windows 10 Extended Security Updates draws to a close, Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system has seen its market share surge to 71.5 percent, according to figures from Statcounter. This marks a slight increase from Windows 11's previous standing, which hovered around 70 percent during the latter part of last year. In contrast, Windows 10's market share has declined to 27.77 percent, reflecting the increasing pressure on enterprises to upgrade to the newer platform.
Statcounter's data, based on its tracking code installed on over a million websites globally, reflects the ongoing transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11. The company's figures should be considered estimates, as Microsoft does not publish official usage statistics for its operating systems.
The shift from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is largely driven by the cost escalation of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for commercial customers. The first year of ESU, which allowed organizations to continue using Windows 10, has ended, and the price for the second year is set to double, reaching $122 per device. Microsoft has hinted at further price increases for subsequent years, making the financial case for upgrading to Windows 11 more compelling.
While there are exceptions to the ESU cost, such as the availability of free security updates for Windows 10 users through Microsoft Rewards Points or Windows Backup, many enterprises find that the economics of ESU renewal make the transition to Windows 11 more attractive. Esben Dochy, a principal technology evangelist at Lansweeper, noted that the increased ESU cost could prompt businesses to reassess their support strategies for older Windows 10 devices, potentially accelerating the migration to Windows 11.
Despite this trend, a significant portion of Windows 10 holdouts may remain on the older platform, particularly those with specialized hardware or those awaiting optimal replacement opportunities. However, the rise in Windows 11's market share as ESU prices increase suggests that a notable portion of enterprises are indeed moving towards the newer operating system, driven by economic considerations and the need for continued security updates.
Written by urgent.news from The Register's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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