The last feature update for Windows 10 was released in 2022 and the lifecycle of this system is steadily approaching its end. One would assume that the popularity of the software platform would wane. However, data from Statcounter suggests that Windows 10 was just as popular at the end of 2023 as it was in 2022. Statistics show that this operating system is installed on about 7 out of 10 Windows computers.
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According to Statcounter calculations, Windows 10 ended 2023 with a share of 67.42%, while a year earlier this operating system was used on 67.95% of Windows computers. This means that Windows 10 adoption has remained almost unchanged over the past twelve months, despite Microsoft’s efforts to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11. Although Windows 11’s share has increased by 10% over the year, the rollout of the new operating system is not going as quickly as the software giant would like. As of December 2023, Windows 11 was installed on just over a quarter of PCs worldwide.
Image source: Statcounter
As with previous versions of Windows, the main reason for Windows 10’s continued popularity is business. According to the Steam platform, Windows 10 has been slowly but surely losing ground to Windows 11 for several months; currently the difference is only 11%. Windows 11 will almost certainly continue to displace Windows 10 this year. However, it is also important that more than half of Steam users still use Windows 10.
Image source: Steam
Windows 10 will end its lifecycle in October 2025, after which it will no longer be supported. Nevertheless, Microsoft is ready to extend the operating system support period for another three years, but you will have to pay for it separately. It is currently unknown how much the subscription will cost, which will allow users to receive security updates after Windows 10 support ends in 2025.