2025 marks a significant turning point for users of the world’s most popular computer operating system, Microsoft’s Windows 10.
Microsoft has announced that it will officially end support for the decade-old operating system on October 14, 2025. After this date, Windows 10 will no longer receive new features, bug fixes, or security updates.
To stay protected and enjoy optimal functionality, Microsoft recommends that users with compatible PCs upgrade to Windows 11. This newer OS offers enhanced security, updated features, and a modernized interface to meet today’s computing demands.
Despite being available for over three years and receiving positive reviews, many Windows 10 users remain hesitant or unable to transition to Windows 11. Windows 10 continues to dominate the market, holding the title of the most popular operating system worldwide.
Launched in July 2015, Windows 10 quickly became a resounding success for Microsoft. Within five months, it had attracted over 200 million users—more than double the adoption rate of the widely celebrated Windows 7 during a similar period. By early 2020, active users of Windows 10 surpassed one billion, solidifying Microsoft’s dominance in the OS market.
Market data from GlobalStats Statcounter shows that Windows 10’s share of the Windows user base peaked at 82.5% in December 2021, shortly after Windows 11’s release. While Windows 11 has gradually gained traction, its adoption has been relatively slow. One year after its launch, only 15% of Windows users had upgraded to Windows 11, compared to 71% still relying on Windows 10.
As of early 2025, three years after Windows 11’s introduction, Windows 10 remains in use by 62.7% of Windows users, while Windows 11 accounts for 34.12%.
The end of Windows 10 support underscores the importance of adapting to evolving technology. For users who have yet to make the switch, now is the time to explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 and ensure their systems remain secure and future-ready.
Microsoft has been tight-lipped about the exact number of Windows 11 users, but Forbes estimated that Windows 10 still had approximately 800 million users by early December 2024.
This suggests that Windows 11’s user base might be around 435 million, roughly double the number Windows 10 had less than six months after its launch.
Toward the end of 2024, there was a notable resurgence in favor of Windows 10. This followed Microsoft’s announcement of an affordable Extended Security Update (ESU) package for the older OS.
For $30 per PC per year, users can continue receiving critical security updates, offering a cost-effective solution for those unwilling or unable to upgrade.
While upgrading to Windows 11 is free for users with legitimate product keys for Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7, many have expressed dissatisfaction with the operating system’s stringent system requirements.
The minimum specifications for Windows 11 are as follows:
The TPM 2.0 requirement has been a significant barrier to adoption. TPM 2.0 is a physical or embedded security microcontroller on a motherboard or processor, essential for features like Windows Hello and BitLocker data protection in Windows 11.
Most consumer-grade motherboards lack dedicated TPM 2.0 chips, though the functionality is often integrated into modern processors. However, nearly all Intel processors released before 2017 and AMD processors from before 2018 do not support TPM 2.0.
This includes high-performance processors such as the Core i7, Core i9, Ryzen 7, and Ryzen Threadripper ranges, many of which remain capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming and professional applications.
While workarounds exist to bypass the TPM 2.0 requirement, Microsoft has cautioned that doing so could result in potential stability and security risks in Windows 11.
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