Windows 11 Adoption Stalls Near the Halfway Mark
New data from Statcounter shows that Windows 11’s lead over Windows 10 remains fragile, with the overall OS landscape shrinking in September. Outside Europe, where support timelines differ, Windows 10 is nearing the end of its official support window, adding pressure on users and organizations to upgrade. In September, Windows 11 was at 48.94% of desktop OS usage, while Windows 10 slipped to 40.5%, according to Statcounter’s figures. This marks a continuation of a trend that has kept Windows 11 just shy of crossing the 50% threshold for market share.
September Data at a Glance
The September snapshot shows Windows 11 briefly dipping from 49.08% in August to 48.94% in September. The minor month-over-month decline indicates that the broad migration to Windows 11 has slowed, even as Windows 11 remains the most-used Windows version overall. In the same period, Windows 10 decreased by 5.03 percentage points, falling to 40.5% of installations. This is the lowest share for Windows 10 since late 2017, underscoring a shift in user behavior away from the older platform—whether through upgrades, new device purchases, or fresh desktop deployments.
Surprisingly, Windows usage beyond the expected trend moved in the opposite direction for another popular OS: Windows 7. The Windows 7 share more than tripled during September, rising from 3.59% in August to 9.61% in September. While Windows 7 remains officially supported no longer by Microsoft on new updates, these numbers highlight a subset of users that continue to operate the venerable OS for compatibility or specific software needs.
What’s Behind the September Shifts?
Several factors may be contributing to the shifting shares. The October 2025 end of support date for Windows 10 in many regions (with regional variations) has been a driving force for many businesses to move to Windows 11, yet the pace of upgrades varies widely by organization and device availability. Outside Europe, where support life cycles can differ, users are faced with a narrow window to upgrade before security updates and official support taper off. Meanwhile, some consumers and small businesses are holding onto Windows 7 due to legacy software compatibility, which can explain its September surge.
Another factor is hardware readiness. Windows 11’s system requirements, including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, mean some older devices can’t qualify for upgrades, slowing adoption for certain user groups. As OEMs refresh inventories and IT teams roll out new devices, the mix of fresh Windows 11 machines and late-model Windows 10 PCs continues to shape these numbers.
Implications for Users and Enterprises
For individual users, the September data underscores the importance of planning an upgrade path. If you’re still on Windows 10, consider your device’s support timeline and the available upgrade options. For organizations, the data points to an uneven adoption curve: while many departments may already be on Windows 11, others lag due to software compatibility, training needs, or procurement cycles. The presence of Windows 7 in the mix is a reminder that legacy environments still exist, which can complicate enterprise-wide rollout strategies and security postures.
For readers curious about newer Windows releases, the article about Windows 11 25H2 highlights ongoing feature updates that could influence future adoption. As the OS family evolves, the pace of migrations will hinge on addressing compatibility concerns, security benefits, and user experience improvements that Windows 11 promises to deliver.
Looking Ahead
September’s numbers suggest that the Windows ecosystem is approaching a steady state where Windows 11 remains the leading Windows version while Windows 10 continues to lose ground and legacy systems linger. Analysts will watch how upgrades accelerate as support windows close outside Europe and as Microsoft rolls out future feature updates. In the meantime, users weighing an upgrade should assess device readiness, software compatibility, and security implications to determine the best path forward.
