After a few months of gradual gains, Windows 11 appears to have taken a step back in the latest global usage data. Statcounter’s figures for May show a slight dip in the new operating system’s market share, dropping from 43.72% in April to 43.22% by the end of the month. This marks the first measurable loss since earlier in the year, signaling that the momentum toward Windows 11 may be slowing despite Microsoft’s efforts to phase out Windows 10 support by October 2025. While half a percentage point may seem minor, it’s a clear shift from the modest but steady growth seen in previous months.
In contrast, Windows 10 continues to show surprising resilience. The older operating system actually gained market share in May, growing by 0.25 points to 53.19%. This increase, while modest, is a reminder that many users are either unwilling or unable to upgrade just yet. Whether held back by system requirements, corporate deployment timelines, or simple user hesitation, the persistence of Windows 10 highlights just how entrenched it remains—despite being only a year away from losing mainstream support. Microsoft may soon face the reality of a massive user base still clinging to an aging platform.
However, one sector where Windows 11 continues to thrive is in the gaming community. According to Steam’s latest hardware and software survey, 58.30% of its users are now gaming on Windows 11, a small increase from the previous month. Meanwhile, Windows 10 has seen its gaming share decline to 37%, down more than a full percentage point. This continued shift makes sense given that gamers are often quicker to adopt newer technology, and many have the high-end hardware necessary to meet Windows 11’s stringent system requirements.
The contrast between general user and gaming adoption underscores the mixed reception Windows 11 continues to receive. While tech-savvy users and gamers are embracing the newer platform, broader consumer and business adoption remains slower than Microsoft may have hoped. With the clock ticking on Windows 10 support, Microsoft could soon be forced to address the adoption lag more directly—either by extending support, adjusting hardware requirements, or offering more aggressive upgrade incentives.