For the first time since its debut in 2021, Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system has surpassed Windows 10 in usage among Steam users, signaling a potential turning point in the new OS’s adoption rate, at least for gaming.
Despite Microsoft’s announcement to end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, the older operating system had maintained a strong hold on user preference. However, the latest data from Steam’s hardware survey for August reveals a shift.
Windows 11 usage surged by over 3%, reaching 49%, while Windows 10 usage dipped by a similar margin to 47%. Meanwhile, usage of macOS and Linux among Steam users remained relatively stable throughout August.
Windows 11’s reach extends beyond the gaming community, with its usage across the broader internet also experiencing an upswing. Data from StatCounter reveals that Windows 11’s market share has climbed to nearly 32% in August 2024, a notable increase from its 23% share in July 2023.
While this growth is encouraging for Microsoft, it’s worth noting that Windows 11’s adoption has been slower compared to its predecessor. Leaked data from October revealed that Windows 11 was active on over 400 million devices at that time.
While impressive, it took Windows 11 two years to reach this milestone, whereas Windows 10 achieved the same feat in just one year. This disparity is partly attributed to Windows 11’s stricter hardware requirements, which initially limited its compatibility with older devices.
Although Microsoft offered a free upgrade path from Windows 10 to Windows 11, millions of users found themselves unable to make the switch due to the new operating system’s stringent hardware requirements. This stands in contrast to the transition from Windows 7 and Windows 8 to Windows 10, which was characterized by a more lenient approach to hardware compatibility.