Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest operating system, has experienced a setback in its market share over the past month, according to a report from analytics firm Statcounter. The data reveals that Windows 11’s market share fell to 22.95% in May, only slightly lower than the previous month’s 23.11%. This unexpected stagnation raises concerns for Microsoft, considering Windows 11 has been available for a year and a half now.
In contrast, Windows 10 saw a slight increase, reaching 71.9% market share, solidifying its position as the dominant Windows version. Meanwhile, Windows 7 maintained a relatively static 3.6% share, and Windows 8 versions accounted for 1.09%. Surprisingly, Windows XP, the ancient operating system, still holds a niche market share of 0.32%, albeit with valid reasons such as forced usage in specific circumstances.
The recent slip in Windows 11’s adoption is surprising because the operating system had shown significant progress earlier this year. Part of this progress was attributed to the end of extended support for Windows 7, prompting users to migrate to both Windows 10 and 11, with Windows 11 gaining notable market share in March and April.
However, the May figures show Windows 11’s growth has stalled. This is unexpected considering Microsoft’s announcement at the end of April, signaling the end of feature updates for Windows 10 and aiming to encourage users to transition to Windows 11 for new features. The sudden stagnation in May could be due to pushback from users who are resistant to change or linked to a decline in laptop sales, possibly caused by economic factors impacting consumer purchasing power.
Another factor that could be inhibiting Windows 11’s adoption is the limited number of PCs capable of being upgraded without additional hardware changes, such as adding a TPM module. Combined with sluggish PC sales, this presents a potential challenge for Microsoft in the short term.
While it is important not to draw definitive conclusions from a single month’s data from a specific analytics firm, monitoring Statcounter’s findings in the coming months will provide insights into the reception of Windows 11. Microsoft’s recent announcement of the Copilot AI and the discontinuation of Cortana in Windows 10, where Copilot will not be available as a replacement, indicates the company’s anticipation of increased user migration to Windows 11.
If Windows 11 continues to struggle in the coming months, Microsoft may need to evaluate its new operating system’s reception. With the end of support for Windows 10 on the horizon in 2025, Microsoft may face challenges unless Windows 11 gains momentum or the current decline in PC sales begins to improve.
