By Although there are a few ways to avoid it, Microsoft’s self-imposed end-of-life deadline for Windows 10 is less than two months away, and users aren’t the only ones who are anxious about the change. Only half of Windows PCs have upgraded to Windows 11, according to a recent research from HP and Dell, and the other half are unlikely to make the transition anytime soon.
The two largest American PC manufacturers’ earnings calls, which are covered by our sister site ComputerWorld, generally support other claims that Windows 11 still accounts for only roughly half of all installations worldwide. (In fact, despite being ten years old and coming very close to that October deadline, Statcounter asserts that Windows 10 actually increased its market share in August while Windows 11 lost some.)
Regarding who is more likely to hold out and who is more likely to switch, a Gartner analyst says: While small businesses, always trying to make ends meet, are more likely to put off any hardware or software upgrades until necessary, large enterprises, to minimize future issues, are likely to invest in their infrastructure and get Windows 11 up and running sooner rather than later.
Even though both Dell and HP are focusing on these business clients for the sake of this analysis, average consumers also appear to be less inclined to buy new PCs as economic worry rises. You’ve likely noticed that PC prices are increasing, particularly in the US. Despite being ruled unlawful by US courts, President Trump’s import tariffs are still in effect while they are being challenged, which means that consumers will bear the brunt of significant price hikes.
Microsoft’s aspirations (and increasingly forceful demands) for Windows 11 upgrades appear less feasible in light of all those reasons. Even if customers must go through some extra steps to obtain the extended security updates for Windows 10, it is understandable why the company is providing them.
