Perhaps, quite simply, they've run out of options...
Initially launched by Microsoft on October 5, 2021, Windows 11 is already more than three years old, and yet it's still taking a long time to completely make up for its predecessor, Windows 10. Indeed, throughout the year that has passed - 2024 for those who don't really follow, but then not at all! - Windows 11 seemed to be progressing at a very, very slow pace. Since its release, Microsoft has obviously been hoping to see it take a clear market share from Windows 10, but despite countless incentives and messages indicating the importance of this change, nothing seemed to persuade users, gamers in particular.
Indeed, despite their readiness to embrace new technologies, gamers have long been among the most resistant to Windows 10. Let's face it, and Microsoft knows this well: a company with several thousand workstations will have a harder time making the switch to Windows 11 than a single gamer at home on his or her single PC. In spite of this, gamers have been very cautious, but at the end of last year, signs of a clear shift could be observed, and Steam's monthly survey of the hardware used by its gamers published in December 2024 must have pleased Microsoft.
© Steam
For the first time, Windows 11 was clearly gaining the upper hand over Windows 10. Taking only Windows versions into account, "11" was thus present on 56.8% of machines, up 1.93%, while "10" had to make do with 43.84%, down 1.01%. In terms of all operating systems used by users, Windows 11 of course remains at the top of the list, with 54.98% market share, up 1.98%. It may have taken a while, but this time, the movement seems to be well and truly underway... at the same time, with the announced end of Windows 10 support next October, it was preferable.
