The latest Steam Hardware and Software Survey has revealed a significant shift in the operating system landscape among gamers. As of August 2024, Windows 11 has gained 3.36% in market share among Windows OS users, surpassing the 50% mark to stand at 50.81%. This milestone is noteworthy given the operating system’s slump in popularity just a month prior.
Transition from Windows 10
The sudden surge in Windows 11 adoption can primarily be attributed to users transitioning from Windows 10, which saw its user base decline by 3.29% during the same period. Additionally, a few users on older Windows versions, such as 8.1 and 7, have also made the switch to Windows 11. Despite the growing popularity of Windows 11, Windows 10 remains strong, with 48.66% of Steam users still preferring this older OS.
Challenges and Considerations
Windows 10’s continued success can be attributed to its stability and compatibility with a wide range of games and hardware. Many users have expressed concerns over Windows 11’s performance and its stringent hardware requirements, such as the need for TPM 2.0-enhanced systems, which have made it less accessible for some gamers.
Looking Ahead
However, with Microsoft set to discontinue security updates and technical support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, users will need to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or another supported OS in the near future. The periodic resurgence of Windows 10 indicates that some users are hesitant to give up the older OS, but the writing is on the wall. As the deadline for Windows 10 support approaches, it is likely that more users will make the transition to Windows 11.
