Windows 11 has almost caught up with Windows 10 in terms of worldwide usage. It is the first time since its release in 2021 that Windows 11 has achieved a 47.8% desktop market share, StatCounter says in its June 2025 data. Windows 10 still leads at 48.8%. They are now separated by just 1%, a vast improvement after years of creeping growth.
Windows 11 Nearly Matches Windows 10 in Market Share After Three Years
Slow Start, Then a Surge
The adoption of Windows 11 in its initial two years was slow. One of the main causes of this was its high hardware requirements. Microsoft only qualified the system on newer hardware—mainly devices made after 2017. This left around 240 million older PCs unable to upgrade, slowing its expansion.
The second challenge was that Windows 11 did not feel or look much different to the average user. It did have a neater design and some backend improvements, but it did not have much difference in normal use. For this reason, many users didn’t feel the necessity of upgrading from Windows 10.
A Turning Point in 2025
Things started to change in the early part of 2025. In March and June alone, Windows 11 gained more than 4% of the market share. Barely a year ago, in June of 2024, the two systems were virtually 40% apart. That gap has vanished in just 12 months.
Much of this expansion is probable due to Microsoft attempting to phase out Windows 10. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. With that date now close, Microsoft has started releasing tools and support to help transition. For businesses, there are licensing incentives and extended support. For regular users, promotional activity and upgrade notifications are becoming increasingly prevalent.
What’s Next?
With around 1.4 billion active Windows devices in use worldwide, even slight alterations in user behavior create a big impact. With things going as they are, Windows 11 can replace Windows 10 by the end of 2025. Microsoft is leaving some encouraging signs, and with the deadline looming, users will continue to switch.
The fight between Windows 10 and 11 is nearly complete—and Windows 11 will emerge victorious.
