Windows 11 Surpasses 1 Billion Users Despite Ongoing Complaints
Despite ongoing complaints from users, Windows 11 has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 1 billion users worldwide. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced this achievement during a recent earnings call.
Windows 11: A Rapid Rise
Windows 11 hit this impressive milestone just 1,576 days after its official launch on October 5, 2021. This timeline is notably quicker than Windows 10, which took 1,692 days to reach the same number of users. Windows 10 was launched on July 29, 2015, and its milestone was announced on March 16, 2020.
Comparing User Transition
The differences in user transition between Windows 10 and Windows 11 are noteworthy. Windows 10 was offered as a free upgrade to all Windows 7 and 8 users, leading to a rapid adoption rate. Although Windows 11 is also a free upgrade for Windows 10 users, its stricter system requirements have excluded many older PCs.
Current Windows Usage Statistics
- Approximately 50-55% of Windows PCs globally are now running Windows 11.
- About 40-45% of Windows PCs still operate on Windows 10.
- Windows 10 and Windows 7 user bases have seen a slight increase recently.
The Status of Windows 10
Determining the exact number of PCs operating on Windows 10 is challenging due to unreliable public data. However, estimates suggest that hundreds of millions continue to use this version. Dell COO Jeffrey Clarke noted that as of late 2025, roughly 1 billion active Windows 10 PCs remained in operation, with approximately 500 million of those ineligible for an upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware constraints.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Windows 11 has achieved a remarkable milestone with more than 1 billion users, the previous version, Windows 10, still holds a significant presence in the market. This dynamic highlights the ongoing preferences of users as they weigh the benefits and drawbacks of transitioning to newer operating systems.
