Windows 11 tops market share as 10 faces extended farewell
The Register
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in market share, with Statcounter data showing a significant rise of 72.57% compared to Windows 10's 26.45%. This shift aligns with Microsoft's earlier claim that its flagship OS had reached over one billion users. While Statcounter's figures are based on tracking code across millions of sites, they remain one of the few independent indicators of OS market share without official data from Microsoft. The trend is driven by the end of support for many Windows 10 versions in October 2025, pushing users toward newer systems like Windows 11. However, businesses can continue receiving updates through Extended Security Updates (ESU) at an additional cost.
Despite the push toward Windows 11, many organizations are hesitant to migrate due to the complexity and costs involved in server migrations. Esben Dochy of Lansweeper highlights that downtime during migration can disrupt entire services, making it a significant barrier for businesses. Additionally, some organizations rely on ESU as a safety net, though this comes at extra expense.
Windows Server 2016 remains widely used, with a 20.3% share of monitored servers, despite its impending end-of-life. For Windows 10 2016 LTSB, while it accounts for only 0.5% of all Windows devices, it holds a larger 19.8% within the LTSC/LTSB category. These versions are often deployed in niche environments like kiosks or POS systems, where upgrades face stricter requirements such as vendor certification and driver support.
The transition to Windows 11 is significant for Microsoft, marking a shift in OS dominance. However, the lingering presence of Windows 10 and Server 2016 highlights challenges in migration and underscores the need for careful planning among businesses. For tech enthusiasts and professionals, this trend reflects broader shifts in software adoption and support strategies, emphasizing the importance of staying updated with OS life cycles to avoid disruptions.
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Originally published on The Register on 3/2/2026