Windows 11 adoption remains below 50% globally
New data from StatCounter shows that the shift toward Windows 11 has cooled, with fewer than half of Windows users running the new OS. In September, the share of Windows 10 fell to 40.5%, the lowest point since October 2017, while Windows 11 slipped slightly from 49.08% to 48.94%. Total Windows usage also declined that month, highlighting a broader pause in platform upgrading. An unusual uptick in Windows 7 usage compounded the story, as the legacy OS jumped from 3.59% in August to 9.61% in September.
September’s snapshot: what the numbers say
The September numbers paint a nuanced picture: Windows 10 remains in decline, losing 5.03 percentage points and falling to 40.5%. Windows 11 sits just under the halfway mark, while Windows 7’s sudden revival points to a segment of users sticking with older, still-supported software for reasons ranging from hardware compatibility to business policies. The overall drop in Windows usage suggests that not only are migration plans being delayed, but some users are revisiting older configurations in the face of upcoming support changes.
Why the shift matters for consumers and businesses
With official support for Windows 10 winding down outside Europe in the coming weeks, the decision to upgrade becomes a strategic consideration rather than a purely technical one. Organizations weigh compatibility with existing applications, driver support, and total cost of ownership when deciding whether to push a broad upgrade or maintain a legacy setup a while longer. For individual users, the choice often hinges on hardware capabilities, device lifecycle, and how much value they place on the latest security and feature updates offered by Windows 11.
Windows 7 revival: what’s behind the spike?
The notable rise of Windows 7 in September is not necessarily a sign of a broad return to an aging platform, but rather a signal of standstill and inertia. Analysts suggest that some users cannot move to Windows 11 due to hardware limits or software dependencies, while others are optimizing costs by delaying migration until critical applications and peripherals are confirmed to operate reliably. While Windows 7 is still supported, its growing share highlights a transitional period where legacy systems coexist with newer software in mixed environments.
Regional dynamics and market nuances
Geography plays a key role in how OS shares evolve. Europe, where support timelines for Windows 10 are more explicit, may accelerate migrations, whereas other regions lag behind as users and businesses evaluate upgrade paths. The September dip in overall Windows usage may reflect a broader recalibration across multiple versions rather than a single OS losing momentum alone. These regional patterns matter for vendors and IT departments planning rollouts and budgeting for updates and hardware refresh cycles.
What this means for you in the near term
For those contemplating a device refresh or software deployment, the data suggests a staged approach to upgrading. The release of Windows 11 25H2 promises improvements in performance and security, but widespread adoption often follows broader hardware compatibility and enterprise rollout policies. If your environment relies on legacy software, verify vendor support timelines and test updates in a controlled pilot before a company-wide transition. In the consumer space, a gradual shift toward Windows 11 may continue into the next year as new devices ship with the OS and drivers mature.
Looking ahead
Analysts will be watching how Windows 11’s momentum responds to ongoing updates and refinements. The September StatCounter snapshot underscores that OS migration is not merely technical; it is shaped by support lifecycles, software ecosystems, and user comfort with change. For readers seeking more context, note that Windows 11 25H2 is here, and ongoing updates are expected to influence adoption in the months ahead.
