According to the latest data from Statcounter, Windows 11 has seen a significant uptick in user adoption in the first month of 2024. Ending 2023 with a market share of 26.54%, Microsoft’s latest operating system has now surged to 27.83%, marking a notable increase of 1.29 percentage points.
This growth represents a record for Windows 11, despite it being over two years old.
Rise and Fall of Windows 10
The rise in market share for Windows 11 suggests a corresponding decline for Windows 10. While Windows 10 continues to hold its position as the dominant operating system, its user base is gradually transitioning to newer versions.
This shift is driven by factors such as newer computers being equipped with Windows 11 by default and the compatibility of new hardware with the latest operating system.
The future of Windows 11 or… Windows 12
Despite the ongoing decline, Windows 10 will continue to be present for the foreseeable future. Windows 11 remains an optional upgrade with demanding hardware requirements, which implies that many Windows 10 users may not be aware of its existence or the possibility of upgrading to it.
As for Windows 12, it appears that this won’t be its debut year. While Microsoft’s plans for updates remain undisclosed, indications suggest that the arrival of Windows 12 will be postponed for the time being.
The remnants of the past
It’s surprising that Windows 7, a fifteen-year-old operating system, still holds the position as the third most popular version of Windows. Additionally, there are users who continue to use Windows 8, 8.1, and even the much older XP, despite Windows XP reaching the end of its support a decade ago.
