Windows 11 has reached a notable milestone, surpassing 30% market share for the first time since its launch in October 2021.
According to the latest data, Windows 11’s popularity surged by 1.08% in July alone, reaching 30.83%. This represents a substantial year-over-year growth of 7.17% points.
Conversely, Windows 10 has experienced a decline, dropping below 65% to 64.99%. While the operating system still dominates, its market share has contracted by 1.06% in a month and 11.15% compared to last year.
With the end of support looming, Windows 10’s market share is expected to fall more rapidly in the coming months. However, extended security updates and third-party support services may prolong the operating system’s lifespan.
The recent launch of Copilot+ PCs has generated significant interest in the Windows market. While it’s too soon to determine if these new Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered devices will dramatically boost Windows 11 adoption, Qualcomm and its partners are expanding their ARM-based PC offerings, including models specifically designed for business users. The upcoming back-to-school shopping season could further accelerate Windows 11 uptake.
Despite the push towards newer operating systems, older versions like Windows 7, 8.1, and even XP continue to hold a surprising share of the market. While Windows 7 remains the most popular among these older systems, all three have seen slight increases in market share. Windows 7 currently holds 3.04% of the market share while Windows 8.1 and XP have 0.42% and 0.38% respectively.
It’s important to note that Statcounter’s market share data may not provide a completely accurate picture of the Windows landscape. Microsoft possesses the most precise figures but doesn’t publicly disclose detailed market breakdowns. As a result, consumers and developers rely on third-party analytics for insights into the operating system’s distribution.